Amidst a coronavirus surge, Congress began the attempt to pass spending bills and another massive rescue package with MSP ramifications. Meanwhile, the newest Kanaloa-class con-ro built by NASSCO for Matson Navigation was christened Matsonia and launched in San Diego, and the international crewing crisis worsened. The case against California's Prop 22, improperly called a worker protection initiative, is laid out for readers to consider and the Mahimahi conducted a daring mid-Pacific rescue. All there in the West Coast Sailors... 

The steep drop of both commercial and government cargoes, has put the national security at risk by endangering the viability of the Maritime Security Program. That Program helps fund the operation of 60 militarily useful ships engaged in the international trades and provides a critically important job base to maintain mariner skills, credentials, readiness. Relative to the trillions flowing from the federal government to sustain the nation, the request is minor. But as unemployment reaches Great Depression levels it is a powerful support of key jobs.

The coronavirus spread, the global economy staggered, and in the U.S. a national emergency was declared. California issued a "stay at home" order for its 40 million residents, as major cities and counties went into quarantine mode with shelter-in-place orders for all but critically important workers. The Coast Guard closed its 17 REC's and extended expirations on some credentials. Taking unusual precautions, SUP halls remained open for essential dispatch services as part of the national maritime supply chain and security infrastructure...

Matson, Inc. took delivery of its newest vessel, the largest combination container / roll-on, roll-off (“con-ro”) ship ever built in the United States, from General Dynamics NASSCO.