AMO Currents - AMO jobs secure in transfer of fast sealift ships to Ready Reserve Force

AMO Currents - Posted: August 26, 2008

AMO jobs secure in transfer of fast sealift ships to Ready Reserve Force

Maersk Line Limited will continue to manage eight fast sealift ships when they are transferred to the Maritime Administration's Ready Reserve Force fleet Oct. 1, 2008. American Maritime Officers will continue to represent all licensed officers aboard the ships under the existing contract.

In a notice of rulemaking published Aug. 21 in the Federal Register, MARAD noted the fast sealift ships are being transferred from Military Sealift Command to the Ready Reserve Force element of the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

In the case of the fast sealift ships, the rule published by MARAD clarifies that, since the ships being transferred are managed under an existing contract awarded by a federal agency other than MARAD, the requirements of CFR § 315.5(a)(1) for ship operating companies servicing the Ready Reserve Force will not apply for the duration of the existing contract, including options.

The rule published by MARAD is not specific to the fast sealift ships, and addresses all ships managed under contracts previously awarded by other federal agencies and subsequently transferred to MARAD. The rule applies only for the duration of original contracts, including options, and does not include an exemption beyond the life of the original contracts for transferred vessels.