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56-931: The Strategic Sealift Officer Program , previously known as the Merchant Marine Reserve and founded in 1913 as the Naval Auxiliary Reserve , consists of members of the United States Merchant Marine who are also members of the United States Navy . Officers in the Merchant Marine Reserve are entitled to wear the Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia . The program was called Merchant Marine Naval Reserve from 1925 to 1938 and Merchant Marine Reserve from 1938 to 2010. This United States Navy article

112-506: A boatswain —or head seaman—will supervise the work. As of 2011, a typical deep-sea merchant ship has a captain, three mates, a chief engineer and three assistant engineers, plus six or more unlicensed seamen, such as able seamen, oilers, QMEDs, and cooks or food handlers known as stewards. Other unlicensed positions on a large ship may include electricians and machinery mechanics. The North American shipping industry developed as colonies grew and trade with Europe increased. As early as

168-419: A first , second , and third assistant engineer. On many ships, Assistant Engineers stand periodic watches, overseeing the safe operation of engines and other machinery. However, most modern ships sailing today utilize unmanned machinery space (UMS) automation technology, and Assistant Engineers are dayworkers. At night and during meals and breaks, the engine room is unmanned and machinery alarms are answered by

224-400: A Bachelor of Science degree in the major field of study available to midshipmen: Conn (nautical) One of the most important principles of ship handling is that there be no ambiguity as to who is controlling the movements of the ship. One person gives orders to the ship's engine, rudder, lines, and ground tackle. This person is said to have the "conn." "Conn" is also a verb describing

280-416: A familiarity with local conditions is of prime importance. Harbor pilots are generally independent contractors who accompany vessels while they enter or leave port, and may pilot many ships in a single day. Engine officers , or engineers, operate, maintain, and repair engines, boilers, generators, pumps, and other machinery. Merchant marine vessels usually have four engine officers: a chief engineer and

336-433: A navigational watch, mates direct a bridge team by conning , directing courses through the helmsman and speed through the lee helmsman (or directly in open ocean). When more than one mate is necessary aboard a ship, they typically are designated chief mate or first mate, second mate and third mate . In addition to watch standers, mates directly supervise the ship's crew, and are assigned other tasks. The chief mate

392-583: A rating on an unlimited tonnage ship along with passing certain training courses. Officers hold senior leadership positions aboard vessels, and must train over several years to meet the minimum standards. At the culmination of training, potential deck officers must pass an extensive examination administered by the U.S. Coast Guard that spans five days. Upon meeting all requirements and passing the final license examination, new deck officers are credentialed as third mates or third assistant engineers . To advance in grade, such as to 2nd Mate or 2nd Engineer, sea time in

448-430: A single U.S. flagged vessel. Moreover, only five U.S. deepwater LNG ports were operational in 2007, although permits have been issued for four additional ports, according to MARAD. The U.S. pool of qualified mariners declined with the fleet. In 2004, MARAD described the gap between sealift crewing needs and available unlicensed personnel as "reaching critical proportions, and the long term outlook for sufficient personnel

504-453: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . United States Merchant Marine The United States Merchant Marine is an organization composed of United States civilian mariners and U.S. civilian and federally owned merchant vessels . Both the civilian mariners and the merchant vessels are managed by a combination of the government and private sectors, and engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of

560-465: Is also governed by more than 25 (as of February 17, 2017) international conventions to promote safety and prevent pollution. In 2022, the United States merchant fleet had 178 privately owned, oceangoing, self-propelled vessels of 1,000 gross register tons and above. Nearly 800 American-owned ships are flagged in other nations. The federal government maintains fleets of merchant ships managed by

616-503: Is also of serious concern". Future seagoing jobs for U.S. mariners may be on other than U.S.-flagged ships. American-trained mariners are being sought after by international companies to operate foreign-flagged vessels, according to Julie A. Nelson, deputy maritime administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration . For example, Shell International and Shipping Company Ltd. began recruiting U.S. seafarers to crew its growing fleet of tankers in 2008. In 2007, Overseas Shipholding Group and

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672-547: Is charged with training officers for the United States Merchant Marine, branches of the military, and the transportation industry. The academy operates on an $ 85 million annual budget funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Joseph Banks Williams entered the academy in 1942 and was the first African-American to graduate in 1944. Admission requirements were further changed in 1974, when

728-533: Is in good working order, and oversee the loading and discharging of cargo and passengers. Captains directly communicate with the company or command ( MSC ), and are overall responsible for cargo, various logs, ship's documents, credentials, efforts at controlling pollution and passengers carried. Mates direct a ship's routine operation for the captain during work shifts, which are called watches . Mates stand watch for specified periods, usually in three duty sections, with four hours on watch and eight hours off. When on

784-473: Is usually in charge of cargo, stability and the deck crew , the second mate in charge of navigation plans and updates and the third mate as the safety officer. They also monitor and direct deck crew operations, such as directing line handlers during moorings , and anchorings , monitor cargo operations and supervise crew members engaged in maintenance and the vessel's upkeep. Harbor pilots guide ships in and out of confined waterways, such as harbors, where

840-704: The Berlin Wall Crisis of 1961 , 18 NDRF vessels were activated, remaining in service until 1970. The Vietnam War required the activation of 172 vessels. Since 1976, the Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) has taken the brunt of the work previously handled by the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The RRF made a major contribution to the success of Operation Desert Shield / Operation Desert Storm from August 1990 through June 1992, when 79 vessels helped meet military sealift requirements by carrying 25% of

896-774: The British supply chain all along the eastern seaboard of the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean. These actions by the privateers predate both the United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy , which were formed in 1790 and 1797, respectively. The merchant marine was active in subsequent wars, from the Confederate commerce raiders of the American Civil War , to the assaults on Allied commerce in

952-604: The Iraq War , delivering 61,000,000 square feet (5,700,000 m ) of cargo and 1,100,000,000 US gallons (4,200,000 m ) of fuel by the end of that year. Merchant mariners were recognized for their contributions in Iraq. For example, in late 2003, VADM David L. Brewer III , Military Sealift Command commander, awarded the crew of MV  Capt. Steven L. Bennett the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal . The RRF

1008-695: The Secretary of the Air Force . Merchant mariners who served in World War II were denied such veterans recognition until 1987 when a federal court ordered it. The Court held that the Secretary of the Air Force wrongfully denied active military service recognition to American merchant mariners who participated in World War II. Captains , mates (officers), and pilots supervise ship operations on domestic waterways and

1064-557: The United States Maritime Administration focused on the larger segment of the fleet: ships of 10,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT) and over. Two hundred forty-five (245) privately owned American-flagged ships are of this size, and 153 of those meet the Jones Act criteria. The World War II era was the peak for the U.S. fleet. During the post-war year of 1950, for example, U.S. carriers represented about 43 percent of

1120-596: The United States Maritime Administration . In 2014, they employed approximately 6.5% of all American water transportation workers. Merchant Marine officers may also be commissioned as military officers by the Department of Defense. This is commonly achieved by commissioning unlimited tonnage Merchant Marine officers as Strategic Sealift Officers in the United States Navy Reserve . During World War II, nearly 250,000 civilian merchant mariners served as part of

1176-459: The navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine primarily transports domestic and international cargo and passengers during peacetime, and operate and maintain deep-sea merchant ships , tugboats , towboats, ferries , dredges , excursion vessels, charter boats and other waterborne craft on the oceans, the Great Lakes , rivers, canals, harbors, and other waterways. In times of war,

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1232-857: The 16th century, Europeans were shipping horses, cattle and hogs to the Americas. Spanish colonies began to form as early as 1565 in places like St. Augustine, Florida , and later in Santa Fe, New Mexico ; San Antonio , Tucson , San Diego , Los Angeles and San Francisco . English colonies like Jamestown began to form as early as 1607. The connection between the American colonies and Europe, with shipping as its only conduit, would continue to grow unhindered for almost two hundred years. The first wartime role of an identifiable United States Merchant Marine took place on June 12, 1775 , in and around Machias, Maine (then part of Massachusetts ). A group of citizens, hearing

1288-595: The Arctic. The National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) acts as a reserve of cargo ships for national emergencies and defense. As of 31 January 2017, the NDRF fleet numbered 99 ships, down from 2,277 ships at its peak in 1950. NDRF vessels are now staged at the James River (off Ft. Eustis, VA); Beaumont , TX; and Suisun Bay (off Benicia, CA) anchorages, and other designated locations. A Ready Reserve Force component of

1344-510: The Commandant of Midshipman's staff. This high stress period involves physical training, marching, and an intensive introduction to regimental life at the academy. After the indoctrination period is completed, the academic year begins. U.S. citizen candidates for admission must sign a service obligation contract as a condition of admittance to the USMMA; U.S. candidates who completed Indoc will execute

1400-511: The Duty Engineer. Marine oilers and more experienced qualified members of the engine department , or QMEDs, maintain the vessel in proper running order in the engine spaces below decks, under the direction of the ship's engine officers. These workers lubricate gears, shafts, bearings, and other moving parts of engines and motors; read pressure and temperature gauges, record data and sometimes assist with repairs and adjust machinery. Wipers are

1456-527: The First and in the Second World Wars . 3.1 million tons of merchant ships were lost in World War II. Mariners died at a rate of 1 in 26, which was the highest rate of casualties of any service. All told, 733 American cargo ships were lost and 8,651 of the 215,000 who served perished in troubled waters and off enemy shores. During World War II ships with deck guns had United States Navy Armed Guard to man

1512-520: The Korean War, 540 vessels were activated to support military forces. A worldwide tonnage shortfall from 1951 to 1953 required over 600 ship activations to lift coal to Northern Europe and grain to India. The Department of Agriculture required 698 activated ships to store grain from 1955 through 1964. After the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956, the NDRF activated 223 cargo ships and 29 tankers. During

1568-544: The MSTS participated. During the Vietnam War, at least 172 National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) ships were activated, and together with other US-flagged merchant vessels crewed by civilian seamen, carried 95% of the supplies used by the American armed forces. Many of these ships sailed into combat zones under fire. The SS Mayaguez incident involved the capture of mariners from the American merchant ship SS Mayaguez . During

1624-626: The Maritime Administration agreed to allow American maritime academy cadets to train aboard OSG's international flag vessels. In 2015, the average salary of American mariners was $ 39,000. The Military Sealift Command (MSC), an arm of the Navy , serves the entire Department of Defense as the ocean carrier of materiel during peacetime and war. MSC transports equipment, fuel, ammunition, and other goods essential to United States armed forces worldwide. Up to 95% of all supplies needed to sustain

1680-492: The Merchant Marine can be an auxiliary to the United States Navy , and can be called upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military. In the 19th and 20th centuries, various laws fundamentally changed the course of American merchant shipping. These laws put an end to common practices such as flogging and shanghaiing , and increased shipboard safety and living standards. The United States Merchant Marine

1736-915: The NDRF was established in 1976 to provide rapid global deployment of military equipment and forces. As of January 2017, the RRF consists of 46 vessels, down from a peak of 102 vessels in 1994. Two RRF ships are homeported at the NDRF anchorage in Beaumont, TX, while the remainder are assigned to various other homeports. In 2014, the federal government reported directly employing approximately 5,100 seafarers, out of an industry total of over 78,000 water transportation workers in Occupation Code 53–5000, which represented about 6.5% of all water transportation workers, many of whom worked on Military Sealift Command supply ships. By 2016, MSC reported employing more than 5,500 federal civilian mariners. Training and licensing are managed by

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1792-613: The Oath of Office as a Midshipman in the Navy Reserve the day prior to Acceptance Day. Plebes officially become part of the USMMA Regiment of Midshipmen on Acceptance Day, which is now standardized at 2 weeks after Indoc ends. Until they are "recognized" later in the academic year, plebes must continue adhere to stringent rules affecting most aspects of their daily life. After earning it, the plebes are recognized, henceforth accorded privilege of

1848-462: The U.S. Army's Afloat Prepositioning Force (APF) with two specialized tankers and one dry cargo vessel capable of underway replenishment for the Navy's Combat Logistics Force. On October 22, 2015, a Military Sealift Command oiler and a United States civilian tanker refueled at sea during an exercise. This is not normally done as commercial fleet vessels are not normally geared for this type of exercise. This

1904-480: The U.S. military can be moved by Military Sealift Command. As of February 2017, MSC operated approximately 120 ships with 100 more in reserve. More than 5,500 civil service or contract merchant mariners staff the ships. MSC tankers and freighters have a long history of also serving as supply vessels in support of civilian research in the Arctic and Antarctic , including: McMurdo Station , Antarctica ; and Greenland in

1960-427: The U.S. military, transporting supplies and personnel. Between 1939 and 1945, 9,521 merchant mariners died, a per capita casualty rate greater than those of each U.S. Armed Forces branch. The GI Bill Improvement Act Of 1977 P.L. 95-202 , granted veteran status to Women Airforce Service Pilots and "any person in any other similarly situated group" with jurisdiction granted to the Secretary of Defense , and delegated to

2016-552: The USMMA became the first Federal service academy to enroll female students, two years before the other Federal service academies. Freshmen, known as " plebes ," upon reporting in June or July of each year as the incoming class, begin a three-week indoctrination period, also known as "Indoc". Indoc is functionally run by upperclass midshipmen, but is overseen by officers of the United States Maritime Service who are part of

2072-677: The United States Coast Guard, guided by the United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 46 , Chapter I, Subchapter B. Training requirements are also molded by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (or STCW ), which prescribes minimum standards that must be met. Unlimited tonnage deck officers (referred to as mates) and engine officers are trained at maritime academies, or by accumulating sea-time as

2128-590: The United States merchant fleet had 175 privately owned, oceangoing, self-propelled vessels of 1,000 gross register tons and above that carry cargo from port to port. One hundred fourteen (114) were dry cargo ships, and 61 were tankers. Ninety seven (97) were Jones Act eligible, and 78 were non-Jones Act eligible. MARAD deemed 152 of the 175 vessels "militarily useful". In 2005, there were also 77 passenger ships. Of those American-flagged ships, 51 were foreign owned. Seven hundred ninety-four (794) American-owned ships are flagged in other nations. 2005 statistics from

2184-419: The act of controlling a ship. Within the U.S. Coast Guard , Shipyard and U.S. Navy , the captain of a vessel typically selects a junior officer to perform the role of conning for him or her. Such an individual has the title of " officer of the deck " (abbreviated OOD ) or "the conning officer" while on duty, and he or she will stand watches at four-hour intervals carrying out the captain's commands. However,

2240-410: The captain can immediately take the conn by simply issuing an order to the helm . On navy ships, neither the ship's navigator nor the ship's pilot is usually the conning officer, whereas on merchant ships the conning officer may be the captain, the deck officer , the pilot, or another warrant officer . The officer of the deck may give the conn to a junior officer for training purposes, in which case

2296-460: The combat theater equipment and supplies including combat support equipment for the Army, Navy Combat Logistics Force, and USMC Aviation Support equipment. By the beginning of May 2005, RRF cumulative support included 85 ship activations that logged almost 12,000 ship operating days, moving almost 25% of the equipment needed to support operations in Iraq. The Military Sealift Command was also involved in

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2352-480: The entry-level workers in the engine room, holding a position similar to that of ordinary seamen of the deck crew. They clean and paint the engine room and its equipment and assist the others in maintenance and repair work. With more experience, they become oilers and firemen. Able seamen and ordinary seamen operate the vessel and its deck equipment under officer supervision and keep their assigned areas in good order. They watch for other vessels and obstructions in

2408-638: The first Gulf War , the merchant ships of the Military Sealift Command (MSC) delivered more than 12 million metric tons of vehicles, helicopters , ammunition , fuel and other supplies and equipment. At one point during the war, more than 230 government-owned and chartered ships were involved in the sealift. As of January 2017, U.S. Government-owned merchant vessels from the National Defense Reserve Fleet have supported emergency shipping requirements in 10 wars and crises. During

2464-405: The growth of the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker fleet, which reached 370 vessels as of 2007. In 2007 the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) set uniform LNG training standards at U.S. maritime training facilities. While short-term imports are declining, longer term projections signal an eightfold increase in U.S. imported LNG by 2025, the worldwide LNG fleet does not include

2520-508: The guns. Some Armed Guard personnel also served as Radiomen and Signalmen . The Navy gun crews were assisted by ship's crew, though the merchant mariner's training in gunnery and combat role was ignored for years. Specific instructions as to merchant crew manning of guns and training they should receive was issued by the War Shipping Administration which operated all U.S. merchant ships either directly or through agents during

2576-472: The high seas. A captain (master) is in overall command of a vessel, and supervises the work of other officers and crew. A captain has the authority to take the conn from a mate or pilot at any time he or she feels the need. On smaller vessels the captain may be a regular watch-stander , similar to a mate, directly controlling the vessel's position. Captains and department heads ensure that proper procedures and safety practices are followed, ensure that machinery

2632-545: The news from Concord and Lexington, captured the British schooner HMS Margaretta. The citizens, in need of critical supplies, were given an ultimatum: either load the ships with lumber to build British barracks in Boston, or go hungry. They chose to fight. Word of this revolt reached Boston, where the Continental Congress and the various colonies issued Letters of Marque to privateers . The privateers interrupted

2688-422: The officer of the deck and the conning officer may not be the same individual (the officer who has the deck retains responsibility for the ship's safe passage; the conning officer only has responsibility for giving the helm instructions on direction and thrust of the ship's engines). It is from this term that the concept of a conning tower , an elevated platform from which a conning officer can view all aspects of

2744-605: The prior grade and additional endorsements and testing are required. The term "unlimited" indicates that there are no limits that the officer has in relation to the size and power of the vessel or geographic location of operation. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (also known as USMMA or Kings Point ) is one of the five United States service academies (the others are the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Air Force Academy), and one of eleven United States maritime academies . It

2800-548: The ship's path, as well as for navigational aids such as buoys and lighthouses . They also steer the ship , measure water depth in shallow water , and maintain and operate deck equipment such as lifeboats , anchors , and cargo-handling gear. On tankers, mariners designated as pumpmen hook up hoses, operate pumps, and clean tanks. When arriving at or leaving a dock, they handle the mooring lines . Seamen also perform routine maintenance chores, such as repairing lines, chipping rust, and painting and cleaning decks. On larger vessels,

2856-477: The title Midshipman , which gives them more privileges, known as "rates". Academy students focus on one of two different ship transport areas of education: marine transportation or marine engineering . Transportation students learn about ship navigation , cargo handling, navigation rules , and maritime law . Engineering students learn about the function of the ship's engines and its supporting systems. There are currently five different academic majors conferring

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2912-831: The unit equipment and 45% of the ammunition needed. Two RRF tankers, two Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ships and a troop transport ship were employed in Somalia for Operation Restore Hope in 1993 and 1994. During the Haitian crisis in 1994, 15 ships were activated for Operation Uphold Democracy operations. In 1995 and 1996, four RO/RO ships were used to deliver military cargo as part of US and UK support to NATO peace-keeping missions. Four RRF ships were activated to provide humanitarian assistance for Central America following Hurricane Mitch in 1998. In 2003, 40 RRF ships were used in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom . This RRF contribution included sealifting into

2968-676: The war. At wars end 144,857 men would serve in the Navy Armed Guard on 6,200 ships. Merchant shipping also played its role in the wars in Vietnam and Korea . During the Korean War, under the operational control in theater of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), the number of chartered ships grew from 6 to 255. In September 1950, when the U.S. Marine Corps went ashore at Incheon , 13 Navy cargo ships, 26 chartered American, and 34 Japanese-manned merchant ships of

3024-457: The world's shipping trade. By 1995, the American market share had plunged to 4 percent, according to a 1997 report by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The report states, "the number of U.S.-flag vessels has dropped precipitously — from more than 2,000 in the 1940s and 850 in 1970 to about 320 in 1996." A diminishing U.S. fleet contrasted with the burgeoning of international sea trade. For example, worldwide demand for natural gas led to

3080-484: Was called upon to provide humanitarian assistance to gulf coast areas following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita landfalls in September 2005. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requested a total of eight vessels to support relief efforts. Messing and berthing was provided for refinery workers, oil spill response teams and longshoremen. One vessel provided electrical power. As of 2007, three RRF ships supported

3136-505: Was done to increase operational readiness of MSC's naval auxiliary assets and prove flexibility of operation. In Fall 2021, news broke out that several midshipmen reported having been sexually assaulted either at the Academy or during Sea Year. The news resulted in a suspension of Sea Year, multiple investigations and lawsuits, and another promise by the U.S. Government to keep women safer while under their jurisdiction. As of 31 December 2016,

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