The Marine Chemist Association held a Board of Directors (BOD) meeting March 23, 2025. This was preceded by our spring sectional seminar. Information on the seminar, board meeting, along with general information, follows.
Our spring seminar was presented to 23 chemists, including 9 BOD members and presenters and two trainees. This number remains down from our pre pandemic average of 25 attendees. The BOD is not sure why this remains low but the best guess is that it is a holdover from the Zoom seminars during the pandemic. The topics were on the standard safety designation (SSD) Enter with Restrictions. The topic at the fall seminar in Atlanta will be the same. You can only get credit for one seminar per year at the two locations offered. The BOD continues to use the sectional seminars to review the requirements in NFPA 306 associated with the Standard Safety Designations (SSD). This year the topics were as follows;
MCA Business Outline
Changing Atmospheric Conditions During Tank Cleaning, Joshua Marshall
How to Inspect a Tank for Enter with Restrictions, Recognition, Evaluation and Control,
Geoffery Jenny and Jeffery Hanson
How to Inspect a Tank for Enter with Restrictions (Continued)
What Must Be on an Enter with Restriction Certificate, Donald Raffo
Certificate Critique, Larry Russell
Open Discussion
This year Chairman Elect Joshua Marshall provided evaluation forms on the sectional seminar. The purpose of these forms is to make future presentations better for the attendees. While information on the property, food, etc. is important, much of this is out of the BODs control. However, if a property is not suitable for a seminar due to location, service, food or other reasons please let us know and we will not schedule a sectional at the location.
The following picture is from a presentation by Geoffery and Jeffery on inspection practices.
Your Board of Directors — The following is your BOD.
As of March 2025
| Person | Position | Term Starts/ Ends* |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Giles | Past Chair | July 2024/July 2026 |
| Geoffery Jenny | Chair | July 2024/July 2026 |
| Josh Marshall | Chair Elect | July 2024/July 2026 |
| Greg Gadbois | Pacific | July 2024/July 2026 |
| Max Chou | Pacific | July 2023/July 2027 |
| Eric Moore | Gulf | July 2024/July 2026 |
| Chris Thompson | Gulf | July 2023/July 2027 |
| Mark Bruff | Atlantic | July 2024/July 2026 |
| John Loprino | Atlantic | July 2023/July 2027 |
| Scott Hernandez | Pacific Alt. | Term starts July 2026* |
| Whitney Cerilli | Atlantic Alt. | Term starts July 2026* |
| Jason Taylor | Gulf Alt. | Term starts July 2026* |
*Term starts after Annual Meeting
BOD Positions
All sections are currently looking for an individual to fill the alternate position. This is normally a three-year commitment. You will spend one year as an alternate which will involve attending meetings (up to 3 per year) only in the event that your sectional representative cannot attend. Following that year, you will move up to being a voting sectional representative and attend the three meetings per year. If you are interested in serving, please contact your sectional representative. In the event two or more individuals are interested in serving there will be a sectional election. A second option is that if two or more individuals are interested one could serve and the other become in line to become an alternate following the initial person moving up. The Gulf section recently did just that.
During 2026, membership will install a new Chairman elect. The nomination process has begun and voting will begin at the end of this year. Traditionally the Gulf Section is in line to fill the position, however anyone can apply. Our Past Chairman Philip Giles is in charge of this process and has already sent out information to apply. If only one person applies the BOD will appoint the Chairman Elect as outlined in the by-laws. If more than one person applies there will be an election. All requirements are set out in the by-laws.
2025 Annual Seminar Incentive Payment
The contract to hold the 2025 Annual Seminar has been finalized. The seminar will be at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas July 28-30, 2025. Information on booking rooms and registering for the seminar is on the website. Please note the room block dates and the cutoff dates. No refunds will be offered after July 5th when the room block closes. As in the past an incentive will be offered for regular members (those who pay into the fund/program and are MCA members). The reimbursement amount will depend on the number of chemists who attend the seminar and the requirements will be the same as last year.
Seminar Incentive Program Requirements
- The seminar fee ($400) will be reimbursed. However, you must register and pay the seminar fee.
- Room fees will be reimbursed (Either partially or fully. The amount will depend on the number of chemists attending the seminar)
Stipulations are as follows.
- You must be a regular MCA member for the past 5 years in accordance with the rules, (new members must have continuous membership) and attend the entire seminar (100%) and obtain credit for attending. Note: The 90% attendance waiver will not apply to be eligible for the incentive payment. You must attend the entire seminar to qualify for the incentive, however if you only attend 90% you will still get credit for attending the seminar
- You must stay at the seminar hotel under the MCA room block. This requires you to book a room through the website. (If you book a room outside of the MCA website you will not be eligible for the incentive payment. The reimbursement does not include incidentals).
- You will be required to pay the fees up front and then submit your hotel receipt. At the conclusion of the seminar and when credit for attending is obtained, your receipt for the hotel can be submitted. Please email copies of the document to dvraff@comcast.net and a check will be sent out.
- If you sign up after July 5th and are not able to get into the MCA room block you must stay at the same hotel as the seminar to obtain a refund. Stays at other properties will not be reimbursed for the hotel portion.
- You must make your own arrangements.
Seminars
Our next sectional seminar is scheduled for November 8th at the Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel located at 2081 Convention Center Concourse, Atlanta, GA. 30337. The cutoff date for the room block is Thursday October 10, 2025, which is also the last day to request a refund for the seminar. To register for the seminar and book a room please go through the MCA website under events. As stated before, the topics for the seminar will be the same as the spring sectional seminar.
Information on the Annual in Vegas.
The annual seminar this year will be at the Palazzo hotel in Vegas. The Palazzo is attached to the Venetian Hotel and offers a large selection of dining and shopping options close by. The Palazzo has about 10 pools and you can use the Venetian pools also.
All of the rooms are suites and you can view them and many other options and ideas at;
https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/hotel/the-palazzo.html
There is a Canyon Ranch Spa at the hotel which you can book a treatment at using the link above.
Since many popular restaurants book up you may want to make reservations prior to the visit. The restaurants can be viewed through the following link. https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/dining/restaurants.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-qi_BhBxEiwAkxvbkPVre_aQImiu2-9hXgnxKegd7M-Drpvs8ocJjnHwfyC4FUKh-CODSxoCr-YQAvD_BwE
To register for the seminar and book a room please go to; https://marinechemistassociation.com/payments
A draft schedule is as follows;
Sunday July 27th BOD Meeting Room 3608, Breakfast 0700 meeting 0800 – end.
Sunday July 27th Registration 5:00 to 7:00pm. Hospitality suite (Room number will not be announced until 7/26)
Monday 7/28 Welcome Breakfast and speaker. 0800-1000 Room 3601-5 – 3609-10 (Open to all registered members, registered guests and speakers)
Monday 7/28 Spouse and Friends Tour. 1030 end. Tour is on property and includes lunch. Open to the first 50 individuals who register.
Monday 7/28 Chemist Business meeting. Open to MCA members only. (No guests or associate members) 1030 – 1200 3601-5 & 3609-10
Monday 7/28 1200-1300 Lunch on your own for seminar attendees
Monday 7/28 1300 – end. Chemist technical sessions 3601-5 & 3609-10
Monday Evening, Free night, on your own. Hospitality suite will be open, BYOB
Tuesday 7/29 Chemist breakfast 0700-0800 3601-5 & 3609-10
Tuesday 7/29 Spouse and Friend Continental Breakfast. 0900-1000 Hospitality suite.
Tuesday 7/29 Chemist technical sessions 0800-1200
Tuesday 7/29 Insurance Lunch for Chemists and guests
Tuesday 7/29 Chemist technical sessions 1400 – end
Tuesday 7/29 Social event hosted by the MGHCP and the MCA at the Flight Club in the Venetian Hotel. 1830-2130 Darts, Dining and Drinking (Get off at the second floor of the guest elevators and follow signs, it is about a 1-minute walk) (Open Bar from 1830 – 2030)
Wednesday 7/30 Chemist breakfast 0700-0800 3601-5 & 3609-10
Wednesday 7/30 Chemist technical sessions 0800 – 1200 3601-5 & 3609-10 0800-1200
Wednesday 7/30 Spouse and Friend Continental Breakfast. 0900-1000 Hospitality suite.
Wednesday 7/30 Farewell Lunch at noon 3601-5 & 3609-10
A map of the Venetian and Palazzo is at the end of the newsletter.
NFPA 306
The BOD has solicited members of the association to consolidate comments on behalf of the MCA to the next edition of 306. Brian Axelrad will head up the committee assisted by Don Raffo. A site on the forum has been added to permit members to post comments on the suggested changes to 306. As time gets closer the comments will be reviewed and possibly submitted by the MCA. Everyone should remember you can also submit your own comments. The closing date for the next revision of 306 is June 3, 2026. This means that comments should be posted by July 2025 so the committee and BOD can review them in time for submission. The process will start at the BOD meeting at the annual seminar.
MCQB Report
The Board met in March in New Orleans where two trainees are scheduled to go before the board. In 2025 sixteen chemists are due for recertification.
A rule change requiring a physical examination for initial training and a change to allow Nurse Practitioners to conduct a physical will be voted on by the board.
All chemists are encouraged to submit your monthly reports in a timely manner. Several are still delinquent for 2024.
The following individuals are our newest chemists. Congratulations
NFPA Certificated Marine Chemist – Thomas Mahoney, CMC 748
At the MCQB meeting in St. Louis, MO in November 2024, the NFPA Mariane Chemist Qualification Board approved the certification of Thomas Mahoney of Baltimore, MD. Mr. Mahoney will be NFPA Certificated Marine Chemist, No. 748. He is a 2010 graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College in Throggs Neck, NY.
Being certificated as the newest Marine Chemist will be a career change for Thomas. Since graduating from SUNY Maritime, he has been employed as an engineer sailing vessels operated by Military Sealift Command, Maersk Lines, Ltd., and ExxonMobil, and most recently as a chief engineer with Crowley Maritime. Mr. Mahoney will be joining Stephen Gronda, CMC 659; Tony Matthews, CMC 634 and Austin Montanti, CMC 727 at Independent Testing and Consulting, Inc. in Holmdel, NJ.
NFPA Certificated Marine Chemist – Nickolaus P. Hernandez, CMC 749
The NFPA Marine Chemist Qualification Board is pleased to announce the initial certification of Nickolaus P. Hernandez, CMC 749. Nick was certificated at the Marine Chemist Qualification Board’s recent meeting in New Orleans, LA. He will be joining his father, Scott Hernandez, CMC 648, at N/S Marine Chemist Services, LLC in Estacada, OR.
Certificate Information
Certificate count information is as follows;
You will notice that the numbers from NFPA slightly differ from the EMCC/MCA count as the MCA count uses the number of paid certificates vs NFPA which uses the monthly report numbers. (which are still incomplete due to a lack of all members filling the reports)
Another piece of information from these charts is that the number of EMCC certificates and users is growing. The use of the EMCC certificate has become very popular and using the program makes it difficult (not impossible) to make an error.
Seminar and Meeting Dress Code and Information
The BOD reminds you that we are a professional organization and all members are expected to dress properly for meetings. Business casual dress is required at all seminars and BOD meetings. Additionally, when coming before any Board you are reminded to dress professionally and use appropriate language. This is especially true when going before the MCQB.
Dress for all seminars is business casual which is defined as;
- Neatly pressed tweed, khaki, clean denim or cotton pants/skirts
- Knit shirts, polo shirts, cardigans or long-sleeved button-downs
- Knit sweaters
- Tie (optional)
- Close-toed shoes for men
- No shorts of any kind
The insurance fund reminds every chemist that if appearing before the MCQB for any type of a review you are permitted and encouraged to bring counsel, documentation, or any information to make your case. The MCQB also encourages this practice.
Finally, the MCQB has gotten reports of chemists showing for an inspection not wearing the PPE or dress required by the customer. This reflects badly on the profession and we are reminded that the customer is hiring us and we should abide by their requirements on dress and PPE. Please consider this when showing up for an inspection as poor performance can reflect on us all.
Marine Chemist Physical Ability to Perform Duties
NPFA sends the following reminder to Chemists who may not be able to perform their work due to a temporary physical limitation.
The NFPA Marine Field Service wishes to remind all Marine Chemists, the Rules for the Certification and Recertification of Marine Chemists, as amended 01 September 2023, Section II. Qualifications – General, Paragraph A, requires all Marine Chemists to “be of an maintain good character, and physically able to perform the duties of a Marine Chemist”. In the event that a Marine Chemist is unable to physically perform his or her duties due to injury or illness; the Marine Chemist should be examined by a licensed physician and obtain a statement attesting to the Chemist’s physical ability to perform the duties of a Marine Chemist. The General Medical Examination Form (Form No. CMC-MD-01) may be used for this purpose.
Ethics
Past chair Philip Giles (Ethics Committee Chair) reported that there are no ethics issues before the board.
Insurance
The MCA has both D&O and Liability insurance for the Board and any associated activities held by the MCA. While the Insurance Fund is not part of the MCA many chemists participate in the fund.
Any questions on contracts (for members of the fund) should be addressed to the attorney Matt Peirce. “Matthew F. Pierce” mpierce@gordontilden.com.
Website
The MCA website (marinechemistassociation.com) now has become the central location for all MCA information. If you encounter any issues first contact the support email at support@marinechemistassociation.com. If you still have an issue, email Don Raffo and I will contact the web person for a resolution.
The MCA has acquired the website www.marinechemist.org You may remember it was our old website which was lost upon the passing of Ed Willwerth and it was bought by a third party Recently the domain name became available and the MCA was able to purchase it. If you log into that website, it will direct you to our current website.
The forum is now the primary way for communication with members. Information for chemists is posted on the website. Failure to sign up for the Forum indicates consent to not receive meeting notifications. Any member can post on the Forum and this is the best way of increasing information and interactions.
To access the website, you must log in with your password. Once that is done you will be automatically logged in after that. If you have problems logging in, please contact the webmaster at: support@marinechemistassociation.com.
One of the changes is the ability for more control over your account, information, and membership. You now can change your personal information on the website and no longer need to contact Donald Raffo or the web person. It can be accomplished by going to the My Dashboard section (located in the upper right of the home page) and making the changes. It will then appear on the site.
All information on seminar attendance can be found in the My Dashboard section of our website. Note that you must click on the year tab at the bottom of the spreadsheet to view by year. If you attended a seminar and have a question on attendance, please contact D. Raffo. If you recently attended a seminar, please verify that the information is correct. A screenshot follows;
Members may view the forum section. It is an area where news and technical discussions may be posted. If you are registered, you will get a text message and/or email whenever there is new information. Information on seminars, newsletters, events or general information also can be found on the site. If you have not registered you must enter the site to obtain the latest news and posts. We encourage all chemists to join the forum and obtain notifications.
Additionally, all billing and seminar registration is on the website. You may also book a room via the website to attend a seminar.
Finally, some chemists asked to be able to list additional locations on the website. The web person has made these changes and you can now add an additional location. The first location listed is free, additional locations will be charged at a rate of $50.00/year. Video instructions on how to do it are as follows;
- Additional Locations: Intro
- Additional Locations: Getting started
- Additional Locations: Adding a new location
- Additional Locations: Adding international location
- Additional Locations: Cancelling subscriptions
MCA Committee Appointments
The following individuals represent the MCA on various committees. This is for general information.
Control of Gas Hazards – NFPA 306. (Appointed Positions by BOD)
After more than 40 years on the 306 committee, John Bell has decided to retire from the committee. His knowledge and experience on the committee will be missed and he was a valuable member representing the MCA. The MCA thanks John for his years of invaluable service. John was replaced by John Edgar and Phil Giles is the alternate elected by the BOD.
Greg Grondin, principal, Jim Bruff alternate
John Edgar, principal, Philip Giles, alternate
Hot Work Operations – NFPA 51B. (Appointed Positions by BOD)
Greg Grondin principal
Robbie Walker, alternate
Tank Leakage and Repair Safeguards – NFPA 326 & NFPA 329. (Appointed Positions by BOD)
Brian Axelrad, principal
Vince Pempeit, alternate
NFPA 350 Guide for Safe Work in Industry Confined Spaces (Appointed Positions by BOD)
Robbie Walker, principal
Vince Pempeit, alternate
MCQB (Voted in by membership)
Brian Axelrad, principal
John Edgar, alternate
Marine Field Service Advisory Committee (Appointed Positions by BOD)
Donald Raffo
Chairman elect
SSRAC (Volunteers)
John Ward, principal
Robbie Walker, alternate
MACOSH (Appointed by BOD)
Donald Raffo’s position as overall chairman of the committee ended April 1st and he has decided not to reapply. The MCA BOD submitted Amy Liu as their representative. As of yet OSHA has not announced selections to MACOSH and the last two meetings of MACOSH have been canceled.
Code of Conduct for Meetings
During any official MCA meeting there should be no discussion of personal matters, private disputes, or business pricing. Discussion should be limited to technical matters and the business of running the MCA.
Facebook Page
For those of you who are on Facebook, visit Friends of Marine Chemist Association. It is a closed group and only chemists, spouses and friends may view and post on the page. If you’d like to access the page, send a friend request to the group. We encourage all to post information, photos, comments or anything else related to our profession, seminars, and events. Please consider sharing some on-the-job photos with the group. It proved very popular when posting information about our annual seminar especially with spouses and friends. Currently updated information on the Vegas seminar is available here.
A QR code with a link to the association website follows;
This QR code can be used anywhere by anyone and it will bring them to the Associations website.
Anyone wishing to view various MACOSH/OSHA publications can use the following link;
These publications can be downloaded or printed and can be used for tool box safety talks and include longshoring links.
Another valuable link is the OSHA link to Maritime Publications.
Training Information
Information was provided that a chemist wrote Safe for Workers and not Atmosphere Safe for Workers and there was a fall in the certified space. The Safe for Workers SSD can open you up for a lawsuit. Be sure that the SSD is correct.
In the same space there were pipelines and heating coils. There was no mention of them except in the boiler plate. The attorney felt that the boiler plate did not carry any weight and the lines should have been noted in the body.
This information was provided by a chemist through an attorney. The chemist was assured that the information would be conveyed during the sectional.
Both NFPA and the BOD felt that it is a good idea to place a note on the certificate advising any reader that they should follow the boilerplate section.
The Future of OSHA
There was a general discussion on the future of OSHA. At this time the discussion was only about what may happen as nothing has happened to this point and may never. However, both membership and the BOD were made aware of and educated on any possibility. The BOD cannot react to something which may not happen but is aware of it.
An article with pros and cons of eliminating OSHA was put on the Forum.
Two people commented.
While we benefit immensely by having OSHA mandating our use, please do not forget that we had been operating for many years prior to OSHA. Our history began with a mandate from Insurance companies to reduce loses associated with fire and explosions on vessels. Removing the OSHA mandate should not be a worry if we are performing a safeguarding service that ultimately, or lessens employer liability. I feel, (my opinion only), that if we as Marine Chemists are viewed as essential independent safety professionals, our use should not require a regulator mandate. Just my two cents. From CMC David Miller.
Thanks for the article it was very insightful. My thoughts as I was reading it were similar to David’s. However, my thoughts immediately went to how are the Lawyers for the companies going to feel about all of that new “exposure” of risk that deregulation and trusting the companies and states to provide that same sort of comfort they get with the established now more than 50-year status quo. So, I feel like while it’s a little concerning ultimately, I would think that the companies wouldn’t be able to operate without adequate Insurance coverages which would be decided on by those lawyers who in turn would insist on Just my personal opinion spreading that risk out or eliminating that risk as they do now by insisting shipyards use a Chemist. Lawyers and Insurance dictate everything it seems they even made a bunch of old neanderthals learn how to type, run apple software and give up the freedom of the Pen and Paper or in some cases the typewriter in the back of the truck like one of my trainers had! I guess we shall see what interesting times await. Hope to see some of you at next seminar. From CMC Toby Turcote.
The following is from discussions with OSHA, members and the BOD.
The future of OSHA will look different than today. Currently, there is a 1-10 mandate which requires OSHA to eliminate 10 rules for every one implemented.
The following are not conclusions but only observations.
There are about 100 Certified Marine Chemists, in the country so it would be very easy to eliminate the requirement for a Marine Chemist with the 1/10 rule.
If the insurance companies become dominant, will they require a NFPA certified MC? If not, a company could say that their competent person is a marine chemist and they could make the call. It almost happened in the past.
A loss of OSHA could cause the PEL’s to be eliminated. This could cause 306 to be reopened and maybe ACGIH or NIOSH toxic exposure limits could be implemented under state plans.
Conclusion
If you have any comments, thoughts or ideas on any aspect of the MCA please submit them to me and I will present them to the BOD for consideration. Remember, you are the MCA and without your participation it will not work. Be safe all.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald Raffo
Secretary/Treasurer
Marine Chemist Association
#668
