— The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc. —

Membership

Benefits

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CAMM Mailing Address
P.O. BOx 5034
Lynnwood, WA 98046-5034

Why Become A CAMM Member?

• Free subscription to Sidelights, the Council’s quarterly publication.
• Membership card and membership roster.
• Representation at IMO through CAMM’s affiliation with the International Federation of Ship Masters Associations (IFSMA).
• Access to a network of other master mariners through CAMM’s chapters, committees, Sidelights publication, and online presence.

What CAMM Does For You

• CAMM is a member of IFSMA, which is in turn a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations. At present the US Maritime Industry - Merchant Marine is represented by two U.S. Coast Guard Officers in the IMO. Although the U.S. Coast Guard casts a vote in the IMO, that vote is controlled by the State Department - Not the Maritime Industry or Merchant Marine. CAMM’s membership in IFSMA provides its members a valuable voice in the IMO.
• The expertise of CAMM members is well recognized throughout the world maritime community, resulting in frequent requests to CAMM to provide expert witness testimony in cases in which a Licensed Deck Officer is charged with a violation of the law or of a crime.
• CAMM is working to change legal practice in the United States, in which a licensed mariner may be charged with a capitol offense, whereas an individual in command of a truck, train, bus, airplane, or other conveyance engaged in a similar accident is not subject to capitol punishment.
• CAMM is working with Congressman Elija Cummings (D-MD), Chairman of Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and his committee’s investigation of the Coast Guard Administrative Law Judges (ALJ). Two former ALJs have accused the Coast Guard ALJ system of being unfair in its decisions, saying that their instructions from the Chief ALJ were to assure that the Coast Guard always wins. The average conviction rate in ALJ cases is 97%, while most courts have an average conviction rate of less than 50%. CAMM is assisting with the committee’s investigation of the issue which affects licensed officers brought before ALJs. It is our contention that the ALJ system should be independent of the US Coast Guard or transferred to a civilian agency.
• CAMM is currently working to have Licensing and Documentation functions transferred from the Coast Guard to a civilian agency such as the Maritime Administration. Coast Guard resources are overwhelmed with Homeland Security issues, severely impacting their ability to handle these functions effectively.
• At present Merchant Mariners must have a Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC) as well as a Merchant Marine Certificate (MMC). CAMM is recommending that Mariners should be required to have only one of those documents because they duplicate each other, at an added cost and inconvenience to both the mariner and the government.
• CAMM is advocating that maritime accident investigation be turned over to the National transportation Accident Investigation board because insufficient training of Coast Guard investigators results in unfair convictions.
• CAMM is dedicated improving the U.S. Merchant Marine and the position of the licensed officers serving on the bridge.
• CAMM is a strong supporter of the US Merchant Marine Academy and six state Merchant Marine Academies where the best maritime education in the world is provided. We are also dedicated to improving maritime education and the skills taught to future officers.
• CAMM works closely with professional mariner organizations around the world to protect the rights of licensed seamen from all nations.
• CAMM constantly seeks ways to improve safety and environmental stewardship in ports, harbors, oceans, and other waterways around the world.

How to Become A CAMM Member

Apply for consideration
Simply fill out the application (Adobe Acrobat) and print. Mail the application with your check ($100) and a copy of your license to:

The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
c/o Captain Liz Clark, Membership Committee Chiar
2231 NE 46th St
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064-7252

To have the application mailed or faxed to you, please send your request to the above address (include return address) or email Capt. Liz Clark.

Annual dues are $60. There is a one-time admission fee of $40.

Copyright© 2001-2008 CAMM: The Council of American Master Mariners, Inc.
Dedicated to supporting and improving the AMERICAN Merchant Marine, and supporting and improving the position of the man on the bridge by fostering the exchange of maritime information and experience, promoting advances in nautical education and training standards, and the publication of professional literature. The Council monitors, comments, supports or opposes local, state and federal legislation that would affect or be detrimental to the Master.