Merchant marine school maryland. Merchant Marine Schools in Maryland: Comprehensive Guide to Maritime Education

Where can you find merchant marine schools in Maryland. How do maritime academies contribute to national security. What are the career prospects for merchant marine graduates. How does the United States Merchant Marine Academy differ from state maritime academies.

The Importance of Merchant Marine Education in National Security

The merchant marine plays a crucial role in both economic development and national defense. As Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, U.S. Maritime Administrator, emphasizes: “A healthy, resilient marine transportation industry is vital to America’s economic strength and national defense. We must maintain enough ships and mariners to compete internationally, support our military, and remain commercially viable.”

Maritime academies are essential in meeting this need by educating young men and women for service as officers in the United States Merchant Marine, U.S. Armed Forces, and the nation’s intermodal transportation system. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) considers studying merchant marine operations at the university level a core component of its education strategy, particularly in fulfilling its responsibility to meet national security needs and maintain maritime defense readiness.

Types of Merchant Marine Schools in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Area

The Chesapeake Bay area, known for its vibrant pleasure boating scene, is also home to some of the nation’s busiest commercial ports and a variety of maritime education options. These include:

• Maritime colleges
• Dedicated maritime schools
• On-the-job training opportunities

One notable institution in Maryland is the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training in Piney Point. Despite its significance, Bart Rogers, assistant vice president at the center, notes: “Our problem in Maryland is most don’t know we’re here. We draw [many students] from Newbern, N.C., where they make their living on the water.”

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA): MARAD’s Flagship Institution

While not located in Maryland, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York, deserves special mention as MARAD’s premier institution for training merchant marine officers. What sets USMMA apart from other maritime academies?

• Built specifically to train and educate merchant marine officers
• Requires a congressional endorsement for admission
• Features a highly demanding curriculum similar to other service academies
• Condenses a four-year degree into three years of intensive study

The accelerated program at USMMA reflects the urgent need for well-trained mariners in the maritime industry.

State Maritime Academies: An Alternative Path to a Merchant Marine Career

In addition to the USMMA, MARAD provides limited federal assistance and training vessels to six State Maritime Academies (SMAs) through a Memorandum of Agreement. How do these institutions differ from USMMA?

• Operate as colleges within state universities
• Offer four-year undergraduate programs
• Do not require a congressional endorsement
• Provide all necessary instruction, theory, and at-sea training for becoming a commissioned officer and Merchant Marine

These programs culminate in students earning a U.S. Coast Guard license, preparing them for careers in the merchant marine.

Maritime Training Options in the Chesapeake Bay Area

The Chesapeake Bay region offers a range of maritime schools with diverse training options for aspiring mariners. One notable institution is the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA), which absorbed the Tidewater School of Navigation in 2006. What does MAMA offer?

• Trains approximately 3,000 mariners annually
• Offers courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels
• Provides programs for novices and experienced professionals seeking to update or upgrade credentials and licenses

A unique program offered by MAMA is the Mariner Boot Camp, designed for total novices entering the maritime industry. Since its inception in 2016, the boot camp has trained 104 students, including 28 women, demonstrating the industry’s growing diversity.

Career Prospects and Industry Connections for Maritime Academy Graduates

One of the significant advantages of attending a maritime academy or school is the strong industry connections these institutions maintain. Caroline Smith, coordinator at Mariner Boot Camp, highlights some of the relationships they’ve cultivated: “We have relationships with people at Norfolk Tug, McAllister [Towing and Transportation], Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, Marathon Petroleum in the Western Rivers.”

These connections often translate into promising career opportunities for graduates. Where have some recent graduates found employment?

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Cruise ships
• Various maritime companies and organizations

The diversity of career paths available to maritime academy graduates underscores the versatility and value of a merchant marine education.

The Role of Maritime Education in Addressing Industry Challenges

The maritime industry faces several challenges, including an aging workforce and the need for skilled professionals who can adapt to evolving technologies and regulations. How are maritime schools addressing these issues?

• Offering specialized courses in emerging technologies
• Providing continuing education for existing mariners
• Focusing on hands-on, practical training to prepare students for real-world scenarios
• Collaborating with industry partners to ensure curriculum relevance

By staying attuned to industry needs and trends, maritime schools in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay area play a crucial role in shaping the future of the merchant marine profession.

Navigating the Path to a Merchant Marine Career

For those considering a career in the merchant marine, understanding the various pathways is crucial. What are the main routes to entering the merchant marine profession?

1. Attending a maritime college or academy
2. “Coming up through the hawsepipe” – starting with entry-level positions and working one’s way up
3. Completing formal training at a dedicated maritime school

Each path has its advantages and challenges. Maritime colleges and academies offer comprehensive education and strong industry connections. The hawsepipe route provides hands-on experience but may require more time to advance. Dedicated maritime schools offer focused training that can quickly lead to employment opportunities.

Essential Credentials for Aspiring Merchant Mariners

Regardless of the chosen path, certain credentials are essential for anyone looking to start a career in the merchant marine. What are the basic requirements?

• Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC)
• Transportation Worker’s Identification Card (TWIC)
• A strong work ethic and willingness to learn

These credentials, combined with the appropriate education or training, form the foundation for a successful career in the merchant marine industry.

The Growing Diversity in Maritime Professions

The maritime industry, traditionally male-dominated, is seeing an increase in diversity. Programs like MAMA’s Mariner Boot Camp, which has trained a significant number of women, are helping to change the face of the profession. How is this shift impacting the industry?

• Bringing fresh perspectives to long-standing challenges
• Addressing potential workforce shortages by tapping into a broader talent pool
• Creating more inclusive work environments aboard vessels and in port facilities

As the industry continues to evolve, diversity will likely play an increasingly important role in shaping its future.

The Economic Impact of the Merchant Marine on Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay Region

The presence of merchant marine schools and a robust maritime industry has a significant economic impact on Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay region. How does this sector contribute to the local economy?

• Job creation in maritime and related industries
• Revenue generation through port activities and maritime services
• Support for local businesses that cater to the maritime sector
• Attraction of investment in maritime infrastructure and technology

The economic ripple effects of a strong merchant marine presence extend far beyond the immediate maritime sector, benefiting the broader community and economy of the region.

The Role of Ports in Driving Economic Growth

The Chesapeake Bay is home to some of the busiest commercial ports in the nation, including the Port of Baltimore. These ports play a crucial role in the region’s economy and are closely tied to the merchant marine industry. What makes these ports so vital?

• Facilitating international trade and commerce
• Supporting a wide range of industries through import and export activities
• Providing employment opportunities for skilled maritime professionals
• Driving innovation in logistics and supply chain management

The symbiotic relationship between ports, the merchant marine, and maritime education institutions creates a robust ecosystem that supports economic growth and development in the region.

Technological Advancements and Their Impact on Maritime Education

The maritime industry is experiencing rapid technological change, from autonomous vessels to advanced navigation systems. How are merchant marine schools adapting to these changes?

• Incorporating simulation technology into training programs
• Offering courses on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain in shipping
• Updating curricula to include cybersecurity and digital skills
• Collaborating with tech companies to provide students with hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment

By staying at the forefront of technological advancements, maritime schools in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay area are ensuring that their graduates are well-prepared for the evolving needs of the industry.

The Future of Maritime Education: Blending Tradition with Innovation

While embracing new technologies, maritime education must also maintain its focus on traditional seamanship skills. How are schools striking this balance?

• Combining hands-on training on traditional vessels with virtual reality simulations
• Teaching both time-honored navigation techniques and modern electronic systems
• Emphasizing the importance of practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge
• Fostering an understanding of maritime history and its relevance to current practices

This balanced approach ensures that graduates are versatile professionals capable of adapting to various situations and technologies they may encounter in their careers.

Environmental Stewardship in Merchant Marine Education

As global awareness of environmental issues grows, the maritime industry is increasingly focused on sustainability and environmental protection. How are merchant marine schools incorporating these concerns into their curricula?

• Offering courses on marine environmental protection and conservation
• Teaching about green shipping technologies and practices
• Educating students on international environmental regulations and compliance
• Promoting research on sustainable maritime practices

By emphasizing environmental stewardship, maritime schools are preparing future merchant marine officers to be responsible custodians of the world’s oceans and waterways.

The Chesapeake Bay as a Living Laboratory

The Chesapeake Bay, with its rich ecosystem and environmental challenges, provides an ideal setting for hands-on learning about marine conservation. How do local maritime schools utilize this natural resource?

• Conducting field studies on water quality and marine life
• Participating in bay cleanup and restoration projects
• Studying the impact of shipping activities on local ecosystems
• Collaborating with environmental organizations on research initiatives

These experiences not only enhance students’ understanding of environmental issues but also instill a sense of responsibility towards protecting marine environments in their future careers.

International Opportunities for Maryland’s Merchant Marine Graduates

The merchant marine is a global industry, offering exciting international opportunities for graduates of Maryland’s maritime schools. What kinds of global experiences can students expect?

• Participation in international exchange programs with maritime academies in other countries
• Internships with global shipping companies
• Opportunities to work on vessels that travel international routes
• Exposure to diverse cultures and maritime practices around the world

These international experiences not only broaden students’ perspectives but also make them more competitive in the global job market.

Building a Global Network in the Maritime Industry

The connections made during maritime education can lead to lifelong professional relationships across the globe. How do maritime schools facilitate networking opportunities?

• Organizing industry conferences and seminars with international participants
• Maintaining alumni networks that span different countries and sectors of the maritime industry
• Collaborating with international maritime organizations on research and training initiatives
• Offering mentorship programs that connect students with experienced professionals from around the world

These networking opportunities can be invaluable for students as they navigate their careers in the global maritime industry.

The Role of Continuing Education in the Merchant Marine Profession

The maritime industry is constantly evolving, making continuing education crucial for career advancement and regulatory compliance. How do Maryland’s maritime schools support lifelong learning for merchant marine professionals?

• Offering refresher courses for license renewals and upgrades
• Providing specialized training on new technologies and regulations
• Conducting workshops and seminars on industry trends and best practices
• Developing online learning platforms for flexible, remote education options

By supporting continuing education, maritime schools ensure that Maryland’s merchant marine professionals remain at the forefront of their field throughout their careers.

Adapting to Changing Regulatory Landscapes

The maritime industry is subject to numerous regulations that frequently change. How do maritime schools help professionals stay compliant?

• Offering courses on the latest international maritime conventions and regulations
• Providing updates on changes to U.S. Coast Guard requirements
• Conducting training on new safety and security protocols
• Collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure curriculum relevance

This focus on regulatory compliance ensures that graduates of Maryland’s maritime schools are well-prepared to navigate the complex legal landscape of the merchant marine industry.

Maritime Academies | MARAD

Studying merchant marine operations at the university level is a core component of MARAD’s education strategy; particularly its essential responsibility to meet national security needs and maintain maritime defense readiness. The six maritime academies and USMMA meet that need by educating young men and women for service as officers in the United States Merchant Marine, U.S. Armed Forces, and Nation’s intermodal transportation system.  A measurable outcome of MARAD’s MET (Maritime Education and Training) promotional efforts is the educational success of students enrolled in the USCG unlimited credentialing program offered through our Federal and State Maritime Academies.  

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)

To ensure a consistent supply of capable and well-trained merchant mariners, MARAD funds and operates the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, New York. This is MARAD’s flagship merchant marine academy, built from the ground up to train and educate merchant marine officers. Its congressional endorsement requirement and highly-demanding curriculum are similar to the other service academies designed to develop leaders for its relative role in national defense. The USMMA curriculum is especially challenging as it condenses a four-year degree into only three years of study — symbolizing that the maritime industry needs newly-trained mariners as soon as possible.

The State Maritime Academies

In addition to funding and administering the USMMA, MARAD also provides limited Federal assistance and training vessels to six State Maritime Academies (SMA) through a Memorandum of Agreement . These four-year undergraduate programs operate as colleges within state universities and do not require a congressional endorsement, but still include all the instruction, theory, and at-sea training required to become a commissioned officer and Merchant Marine (a U. S. Coast Guard license).  For additional information, reach out to an SMA today or contact MARAD’s Office of Maritime Labor & Training.

Last updated: Tuesday, November 2, 2021

The Bay’s Maritime Schools | Chesapeake Bay Magazine

By Nancy Taylor Robson

People have been going down to the sea in ships—and coracles, canoes, and strung-together bamboo rafts—since our species first learned how to make a craft that will float, but also carry a little something to sell, trade, or barter. Thus was born the merchant marine. While navies have protected and marauded for their nations (looking at you, Sir Henry Morgan), it’s the merchant marine that was instrumental in building U.S. economic power and providing wartime supply. ¶ “A healthy, resilient marine transportation industry is vital to America’s economic strength and national defense,” says U.S. Maritime Administrator Rear Admiral Mark Buzby. “We must maintain enough ships and mariners to compete internationally, support our military, and remain commercially viable. ” The Chesapeake, world-renowned for its pleasure boating, also boasts two of the busiest commercial ports in the nation. Yet the Bay’s multi-faceted maritime operations are some of its better-kept secrets. “Our problem in Maryland is most don’t know we’re here,” agrees Bart Rogers, assistant vice president at Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training in Piney Point, Md. “We draw [many students] from Newbern, N.C., where they make their living on the water.”

There are three ways to enter the merchant marines. One is to go to a maritime college. Another—increasingly rare—is to “come up through the hawsepipe,” by climbing aboard a vessel with little more than a Merchant Mariner’s Credential (MMC), a Transportation Worker’s identification Card (TWIC) and a work ethic. Or, you can get formal maritime training at a dedicated maritime school. The Chesapeake is blessed with a range of maritime schools with training options for mariners of all stripes. And, because these schools are focused on turning out employable mariners, most also have close links to employers.  

“We have relationships with people at Norfolk Tug, McAllister [Towing and Transportation], Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, Marathon Petroleum in the Western Rivers,” notes Caroline Smith, coordinator at Mariner Boot Camp, an adjunct of the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA).

MAMA, which absorbed the Tidewater School of Navigation in 2006, trains approximately 3,000 mariners annually. Courses run the gamut from the Boot Camp, designed for total novices, to longtime professionals updating or upgrading credentials and licenses. Mariner Boot Camp, begun in 2016, has so far trained 104 students, 28 of whom are women. “We have two graduates with NOAA, some on cruise ships, and a whole bunch on the [cruise ship] Pride of America in Hawaii,” says Smith, who holds a 1600 Ton Ocean Master Motor, Steam, and Sail License.

Students at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies learn firefighting techniques. Photo by: Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies

At the northern end of the Bay, the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Linthicum Heights, Md. offers an apprenticeship program that connects students to potential employment. It requires the candidate to be sponsored by a company so they can accrue the necessary sea time for licensing. Additionally, an able seafarer (able seaman with a merchant ship deck-department rating) with sufficient sea service can take the needed courses and sit for a license without enrolling in an apprenticeship program. “The beauty of the apprenticeship is, when you finish, pretty much, companies offer a job,” says Glen Paine, executive director of MITAGS. “We have a 90-95 percent retention rate for those who successfully finish the apprenticeship program.”

Founded in 1972 in Baltimore by the International Organization of Master Mates and Pilots, non-profit MITAGS boasts a large campus near BWI and offers about 100 courses that range from entry-level for ordinary seamen (and women) through upgrading for licensed mariners to professional development, including courses designed for individual companies.  

Whether licensed or unlicensed, mariner income is appealing. “Entry salary is $4,000 [per month] for whoever you’re graduating,” says Rogers. “And within a year, they’re eligible for upgrade. And when they make it, it almost doubles.”

Thirty-year-old J.W. Abernathy had dropped out of college and kicked around in service jobs for several years before opting for maritime training. He finished the unlicensed apprenticeship at Paul Hall Center (aka Piney Point) in 2015. While the work is hard (and starting at the bottom is rarely fun), he says the effort has been worth it. “I have a career that is going to give me financial stability and a way forward,” he says. “I’m able to buy a house. Plus, the [course] work helps with credits at the College of Southern Maryland, so eventually I’ll have an associate’s degree.”  

CTMI instructor Captain Alan Alexander demonstrating the importance of maintaining morale in difficult situations at sea.

Located on St Mary’s River, The Paul Hall Center was established in 1967 as The Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship by the Seafarer’s International Union (SIU). It requires membership in the union, but the training, room, and board are free. In addition to classwork, training includes hands-on work at the center. “You’re also working in the galley feeding the rest of the union people who are here,” says Abernathy, who recently took a three-week welding class there. Graduates find employment through the SIU union halls.

A non-union option is Chesapeake Marine Training Institute (CMTI) in Hayes, Virginia. Founded in 1992, CMTI trains those working on private and commercial recreational vessels in addition to the grittier world of tugs and Military Sealift Command ships. “We do a lot of seasoned mariners, who are upgrading and advancing in their career,” says Amanda Symonds, president of CMTI. “We also train those just starting out and getting into the industry.”  

Bill O’Donovan, rather unseasoned after a 40-year career in newspapers, took the captain’s course in 2013 and now holds a 100-Ton Master’s License. “My experience was somewhat unique in that most of my classmates were younger men transitioning from fishing boat experience as deck hands,” says O’Donovan. “The entire exercise in gaining my Coast Guard license required 49 compliance hurdles. I would recommend CMTI to anyone who is serious about becoming a professional mariner.”

The Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy, in Norfolk, prepares students for careers on the water.

Kathy Tingley, another CMTI grad, fell in love with the maritime life at age 56 after time on a tall ship. She earned a 100-Ton Master’s License and is now first mate on a paddle wheeler in Rochester, NY, in summer and an ecotour boat in Florida in winter. She chose CMTI, whose courses, like those in the other schools, are U.S. Coast Guard approved, in part because of the class size. “Being an older person,
I wanted somewhere where I could ask questions in a smaller group,” says Tingley. “And the captains there have so much experience and share those experiences in addition to the course work.” 

Some, but not all, of the mariner schools have on-campus accommodations. MITAGS and its West Coast affiliate, Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) in Seattle, have on-campus hotels and other amenities to keep an oft-absent mariner’s family entertained while he or she takes classes. Students at MAMA and CMTI stay in nearby hotels if they don’t live close enough to commute. 

“We have several local hotels in the area that we’ve contracted with for a deal for students,” says Symonds.

 The Paul Hall Center has a dorm. The Calhoon MEBA Engineering School in Easton has on-site accommodations but differs from the others in its student body. The school was founded by the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA), the oldest maritime labor union in the country, which began in 1875. The school was started in 1966 at the request of Military Sea Transportation Service, later renamed Military Sea Command (MSC), which manages transport and supply for our military around the world. “MSC didn’t have enough engineers,” says Chuck Eser, director at Calhoon MEBA. “From ’66 to ’88 about 2700 to 3000 apprentice 3rd engineers came out of that program.” Yet, while it began with an apprentice program, MEBA no longer offers one.  “Everyone who comes here already has considerable credentials,” says Eser. “Our courses aren’t tailored for a young person who’s trying to enter into the industry. For them we suggest they make application to the [maritime] colleges or Harry Lundeberg, which will take kids right out of high school.”

Full ship bridge helm simulator at the  Paul Hall Maritime Center. Photo by: Paul Hall Maritime Center

In Eastport, the Annapolis School of Seamanship (CBM’s sister company) began in 2002 by offering courses in basic boating. “We started out with a diesel engine course for recreational boaters,” says John Martino, founder and president of the school. “That moved into electrical classes, marine weather and navigation.” The school now also trains students for the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (aka “six-pack” license), the 100-Ton Master Mariner’s Captain’s License, and the 200-ton Master’s upgrade. The school has expanded its offerings and its range. “We also do B2B training solutions for other companies and do military and law enforcement seamanship training,” Martino adds.  

The merchant marine is not everyone’s cup of grog. It’s a physically and mentally challenging career. It often demands weeks or months away from home. It can strain relationships, though it can help keep the spark in a marriage with each return home a kind of honeymoon once the yelling about who’s in charge is finished. But the skills, the sense of pride and the connection to a millenniums-old tradition can help to compensate for some of the sacrifice that mariners and their loved ones make. 

Nancy Taylor Robson, author of Woman in The Wheelhouse, worked for six years on coastal tugs as a deckhand then earned her operator’s license in 1981. She has been married a long time to a longtime mariner.

The US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, like the Naval Academy, West, Point, and the Air Force Academy,
is a federal college. The education is free. In exchange, graduates are required to fulfill a period of military service on graduation. Several states have maritime colleges such as the State University of New York Maritime College (SUNY Maritime), which are maritime-focused. They require tuition but do not commit graduates to a period of service.

Merchant Mariner Schools – MarinersHQ

Want to work in the maritime industry? A mariner’s career involves continuous training and education.

By nature, the role requires an excellent understanding of safety standards and procedures. A mariner also has to keep up with technology which is constantly changing.

A career in the maritime industry can be lucrative and exciting. There are numerous employment opportunities – not just offshore, but onshore as well. While experience and other skills can help start your maritime career, a maritime qualification is essential to furthering your career.

Under the jurisdiction of the United States, maritime training and licensing are managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) prescribes the minimum standards that must be met by seafarers. There are many USCG-approved maritime training institutes and courses.

You can begin your maritime education as early as childhood and study all the way up to a post-graduate degree. Whether you are pursuing a certification or degree, or wanting to study at a merchant seaman school or online, there are many maritime training schools to choose from in the United States.

Maritime High Schools

Those who realize their ambition to work in the maritime industry early in life can choose to enroll in a maritime-oriented high school. The following private schools can help kick-start your maritime career early:

Maritime Academies

Perhaps you would like to pursue a career as a mariner in the United States Armed Forces. Or you would like to work as an officer on a merchant marine vessel. Either way, you are going to need a Bachelor of Science degree. Your field of study can be either Naval Science, Marine Engineering or Marine Transportation. It takes four years of study to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree.

Federal government academies

Federal U.S. service academies provide undergraduate training and education of commissioned officers for the U.S. Armed Forces. The term “service academies” is commonly associated with the Army, Navy and Air Force; as well as the Coast Guard.

Students at U.S. service academies pay no tuition fee; receive room and board; and receive a monthly salary. Graduates are required to serve a minimum term of duty (usually five to eight years) as ensigns.

There are five U.S. service academies. Three of them are aimed at training mariners. They are:

1. The United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland

First year students (Plebes) at the United States Naval Academy.

The USNA is aimed at training and educating students for commission into the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Students enroll as midshipmen and can choose from over 20 majors. The USNA has three academic divisions:

• Division I: Engineering and Weapons
• Division II: Mathematics and Science
• Division III: Humanities and Social Sciences

2. The United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut

The USCGA provides education and training for future Coast Guard officers. Students enroll as cadets and can choose between the following majors:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
• Operations Research and Computer Analysis
• Marine and Environmental Sciences
• Government
• Management

Most graduates conduct their term of duty as Deck Watch Officers or Engineer Officers in Training aboard Coast Guard cutters.

3. ​The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York

The United States Merchant Marine Academy

Graduates from the USMMA generally follow one of three career paths:

• Sailing as Unlimited Third Mates or Third Assistant Engineers in the United States Merchant Marine;
• Working ashore in the civilian maritime industry; or
• Serving active duty as a Commissioned Officers in the U. S. military.

Students enroll as midshipmen and can choose from five major courses:

• Marine Transportation
• Logistics and Intermodal Transportation
• Marine Engineering
• Marine Engineering Systems
• Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management

Upon graduation, graduates can fulfill their service obligations by working as

• licensed officers on U.S.-flagged merchant vessels;
• civilians in the maritime industry; or
• active duty officers in any branch of the U.S. uniformed services (Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Public Health Service or the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration)

State Maritime Training Academy

There are several U.S. government-owned maritime academies which offer maritime degrees and USCG-approved maritime courses. State maritime academies have government-owned training ships for practical training.

Graduates from state maritime academies are not obliged to serve a term of duty. However, state academies offer programs by which students can apply to serve in the Armed Forces Reserves in order to fund their studies.

Graduates usually receive a U.S. Coast Guard unlimited tonnage license and find work as Third Mates or Third Assistant Engineers on merchant vessels.

1. California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California

TS Golden Bear: the California Maritime Academy’s training ship.

The California Maritime Academy offers six bachelor’s degrees in the following majors:

• Business Administration/International Business and Logistics (BS)
• Facilities Engineering Technology (BS)
• Global Studies and Maritime Affairs (BA)
• Marine Engineering Technology (BS)
• Marine Transportation (BS)
• Mechanical Engineering (BS)

The mariner school also offers a Master of Science in Transportation and Engineering Management graduate degree.

2. Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan

Northwestern Michigan College’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Technology. Cadets at the academy have the following options:

• Deck Officer
• Engineering Officer
• Power Plant Facilities Operator

3. Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine

Maine Maritime Academy

The Maine Maritime Academy offers bachelor degrees with a choice of the following majors:

• Interdisciplinary Studies

• International Business and Logistics
• Marine Biology
• Marine Biology/Small Vessel Operations
• Marine Engineering Operations
• Marine Engineering Technology
• Marine Science
• Marine Science/Small Vessel Operations
• Marine Systems Engineering (License Track)
• Marine Systems Engineering (Non-License Track)
• Marine Transportation Operations
• Power Engineering Operations
• Power Engineering Technology
• Vessel Operations and Technology

Two-year associate degrees:

• Small Vessel Operations
• Small Craft Design
• Small Craft Systems

Master of Science graduate degrees through the Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business & Logistics:

• Global Logistics & Maritime Management (on campus)
• International Logistics Management (online)
• Master’s & Commander Program

4. Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Maritime Academy offers the following undergraduate degrees:

• Energy Systems Engineering
• Facilities Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Emergency Management
• Marine Safety & Environmental Protection
• International Maritime Business
• Marine Transportation

Master of Science graduate degrees:

• Facilities Management
• Emergency Management

5. State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College in Throggs Neck, New York

SUNY Maritime offers the following undergraduate degrees:

• Marine Engineering with an Engine License
• Naval Architecture with Deck License, Engine License or Intern Option
• Electrical Engineering with Deck License, Engine License or Intern Option
• Facilities Engineering with Engine License or Intern Option
• Mechanical Engineering with Engine License or Intern Option
• Marine Transportation with a Deck License
• Marine Operations with Deck or Engine License
• International Transportation and Trade with an Intern Option
• Maritime Studies with a Deck License or Intern Option
• Marine Environmental Science with a Deck License or Intern Option
• Marine Technology/Small Vessel Operations with Deck or Engine License

SUNY Maritime also offers an associate degree program on the business and practices of the shipping industry. Master degrees available at the college are transportation management; and maritime and naval studies.

6. Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy.

The maritime academy offers numerous bachelor’s degrees; including majors in:

• Marine Transportation
• Marine Engineering Technology
• Marine Biology
• Marine Sciences

Graduate degrees:

• Master of Maritime Administration and Logistics
• Ph.D. or Master of Marine Biology
• Master of Marine Resources Management

Maritime Training Centers

There is a vast amount of maritime training schools offering various USCG-approved certification courses. Instead of studying towards a degree, you can choose to start your merchant mariner career by gaining experience first. You can then do certification courses to rise through the ranks as you go.

The first step to becoming an ordinary seaman is to apply for your Merchant Mariner Credential and TWIC card. You can then obtain further certifications and licenses to further your career. Basic certification courses include the STCW certificate and a variety of technical certifications. The most advanced maritime license is the Master Captain’s License.

Those employed in the merchant mariner industry are also required to undergo maritime security training courses (firefighting, first aid, personal safety, etc.).

Online Mariner Schools

You do not have to attend courses at a maritime training school to obtain a maritime qualification. There is an abundance of distance learning online courses available. Studying online can be more cost- and time effective than studying at a training facility.

These are the top online course providers, according to Marine Insight:

1. Lloyd’s Maritime Academy

Known as the pioneer of online maritime training, Lloyd’s Maritime Academy is especially famed for its MBA in Shipping & Logistics course. The academy offers a wide variety of online courses – from short certification courses to postgraduate diplomas.

2. Videotel

Videotel supports the online learning experience with graphics, videos, audio narration and interactive texts.

3. Lloyd’s Register

Lloyd’s Register is a reputed name in the maritime industry. The school promotes understanding of course material through real-life scenarios.

4. Coracle Online

Coracle Online is a famed provider of professional development online courses. The school offers a wide range of commercial shipping courses.

5. Shipgaz

Shipgaz provides online training to the employees of over 120 affiliated companies. It is the only maritime online training provider with DNV Standard of Certification for Maritime Training Centers.

6. Mariner’s Learning System

Provides captain’s license online courses.

News Release 03-01

LABOR PARTNERS TO OFFER MERCHANT MARINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

The Murkowski Administration is partnering with the Seafarers International
Union (SIU) to recruit and train dislocated workers from Alaska for
careers in the U.S.-flag merchant marine, Greg O’Claray, Commissioner
of Labor and Workforce Development announced today.

In partnership
with the SIU and the Ketchikan-based nonprofit recruiting and referral
agency, SEA Link Inc., Labor will train and place qualified dislocated
Alaskans previously employed in the fishing industry into family-wage
jobs as merchant mariners aboard U.S.-flag commercial vessels engaged
in the Alaska, domestic, and international deep-sea shipping industry.

The plan is to
send approximately 20 qualified applicants a month from Alaska to
the SIU’s Paul Hall Center for Maritime Education in Piney Point,
Maryland. Training will include lifeboat, water safety, marine fire
fighting, and nautical skills courses at their U.S. Coast Guard certified
program for entry level to licensed officer. Upon successful completion,
candidates who have successfully met USCG requirements are guaranteed
jobs as Able Bodied or Ordinary Seafarers aboard vessels operating
under a SIU contract. More training after an initial 60-day period
at sea to meet USCG able-bodied mariners certifications will also
be provided.

Together with
SEA Link Inc., SIU will screen applications for eligibility. “We’re
sending the first qualified Alaskans to Piney Point this month,” O’Claray
said. “It is expected that approximately 240 Alaskans will be trained
as merchant marines by the end of next year.” Training funds are granted
to SEA Link Inc. for this initiative through federal Workforce Investment
Act money, accounted for and administered through Alaska’s Department
of Labor.

Anchorage-based
Seafarers Union representative, Harold Holten states, “Our union and
industry are committed to reaching out to Alaskans, particularly since
our overall experience in recruiting here is overwhelmingly positive.
Our first initiative to recruit Alaska youth is a model success and
continues to exceed expectations after five years and nearly 100 participants.
We expect the same results through this displaced worker initiative.”

Dislocated Alaskans
with fishing boat experience who are interested in more information
about pursuing a career with the U. S.-flag merchant marine should
contact SIU Representative Harold Holten at (907) 561-4988, or Ralph
Mirsky, Director of SEA Link Inc. at 888-577-7453, or (907) 247-5769.

National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee Meeting

Start Preamble

U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting.

The National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (Committee) and its Working Groups will meet in Piney Point, MD, to discuss issues relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.

Meetings:
The National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee and its Working Groups are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and the full Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. These meetings may adjourn early if the Committee has completed its business.

Comments and supporting documentation:
To ensure your comments are received by Committee members before the meetings, submit your written comments no later than November 4, 2021.

The meeting will be held at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship at 45353 Saint Georges Avenue Piney Point, MD 20674; additional information can be found at:
https://www. seafarers.org/​training-and-careers/​jobs/​the-seafarers-harry-lundeberg-school-of-seamanship/​.

Pre-registration Information:
Pre-registration is required for in-person access to the meeting, but is not required for anyone attending via teleconference. In-person attendance to the meeting will be limited to the first 49 registrants, with priority for members of the Committee and Coast Guard support staff. If you are not a member of the Committee and do not represent the Coast Guard, you must request in-person attendance by contacting the individual listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice. You will receive a response noting if you are able to attend in-person or if the in-person attendance roster is full. Additionally, the N-MERPAC mailing list will receive a notification when the in-person attendance roster is full.

Attendees at the meeting will be required to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which may include the need to wear masks and by completing Certification of Vaccination Form OMB Control No. 3206-0277, or providing proof of vaccination. This form can be accessed at:
CertificationVaccinationPRAv7.pdf
(
menlosecurity.com
). You may be asked to show this form when entering the facility. Please maintain this form during your visit. Masks will be provided for attendees. CDC guidance on COVID protocols can be found here:
Start Printed Page 59744
https://www.cdc.gov/​coronavirus/​2019-ncov/​communication/​guidance.html.

Teleconference lines and live virtual document sharing will be available for the full meeting and for all sessions of the work groups. After November 4, 2021, this teleconference information will be available on the agendas published to the FACA Homeport website and will be emailed to everyone on the N-MERPAC mailing list. You may also request this information by contacting the individual listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice, after November 4, 2021.

For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact the individual listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.

Instructions:
You are free to submit comments at any time, including orally at the meeting, but if you want Committee members to review your comment before the meeting, please submit your comments no later than November 4, 2021. We are particularly interested in comments on the issues in the “Agenda” section below. We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal at
https://www.regulations.gov.
If your material cannot be submitted using
https://www.regulations.gov,
email the individual in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this document for alternate instructions. You must include the words “Department of Homeland Security” and the docket number USCG-2021-0742. Comments received will be posted without alteration at
https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information provided. You may wish to view the Privacy and Security Notice available on the homepage of
https://www.regulations.gov,
and DHS’s eRulemaking System of Records notice (85FR 14226, March 11, 2020). If you encounter technical difficulties with comment submission, contact the individual listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section of this notice.

Docket Search:
Documents mentioned in this notice as being available in the docket, and all public comment, will be in our online docket at
https://www.regulations.gov
and can be viewed by following that website’s instructions.

Start Further Info

Mrs. Megan Johns Henry, Alternate Designated Federal Officer of the National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, telephone (202) 372-1255, or email
megan.c.johns@uscg. mil.

End Further Info
End Preamble
Start Supplemental Information

Notice of this meeting is in compliance with the
Federal Advisory Committee Act
(5 U.S.C. Appendix). The National Merchant Marine Advisory Committee is authorized by section 601 of the
Frank LoBiondo Act of 2018
and is codified in 46 U.S.C. 15103, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the United States Merchant Marine including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation, and fitness of mariners.

Agenda

The National Merchant Marine Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Wednesday, November 17, 2021, and Thursday, November 18, 2021 to review, discuss, deliberate and formulate recommendations, as appropriate on the following topics:

Day 1

The agenda for the November 16, 2021, meeting is as follows:

(1) The full Committee will meet briefly to discuss the Working Groups’ business/task statements, which are listed under paragraph (5)(a)-(i) under Day 3 below.

(2) The full Committee will then meet to discuss and work on Task Statement 21-X9, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault—Prevention and Culture Change in the Merchant Marine.

(3) The following Working Groups will then separately address the following task statements which are available for viewing at
https://homeport.uscg.mil/​missions/​federal-advisory-committees/​national-merchant-marine-personnel-advisory-committee-(nmerpac);​

(a) Task Statement 21-X4, STCW Convention and STCW Code Review;

(b) Task Statement 21-X7, Non-Operating Individuals.

(c) Task Statement 21-X8, Remote Operator of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.

(4) Reports of Working Groups. At the end of the day, the Chair of each Working Group will report to the full Committee on what was accomplished in their meetings. The full Committee will not take action on this date and a full report will be given on Day 3 of the meeting. Any official action taken as a result of these Working Group meetings will be taken on Day 3 of the meeting.

(5) Adjournment of meeting.

Day 2

The agenda for the November 17, 2021, meeting is as follows:

(1) The full Committee will meet briefly to discuss the Working Groups’ business/task statements, which are listed in paragraph (5)(a)-(h) under Day 3 below.

(2) Working Groups will separately address the following task statements which are available for viewing at
https://homeport.uscg.mil/​missions/​federal-advisory-committees/​national-merchant-marine-personnel-advisory-committee-(nmerpac)
;

(a) Task Statement 21-X4, STCW Convention and STCW Code Review;

(b) Task Statement 21-X7, Non-Operating Individuals;

(c) Task Statement 21-X8, Remote Operator of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.

(3) Reports of Working Groups. At the end of the day, the Chair of each Working Group will report to the full Committee on what was accomplished in their meetings. The full Committee will not take action on this date and a full report will be given on day three of the meeting. Any official action taken as a result of these Working Group meetings will be taken on day three of the meeting.

(4) Adjournment of meeting.

Day 3

The agenda for the November 18, 2021 full Committee meeting is as follows:

(1) Introduction.

(2) Announcements from Designated Federal Officer.

(3) Roll call, introduction, and swearing-in of newly appointed Committee members; determination of a quorum.

(4) Election of Chair and Vice Chair by Committee members.

(5) Presentation of tasks.

(a) Task Statement 21-X1, Review of IMO Model Courses;

(b) Task Statement 21-X2, Communications Between Industry and Mariner Credentialing Program;

(c) Task Statement 21-X3, Military Education, Training, and Assessment for STCW and National MMC Endorsements;

(d) Task Statement 21-X4, STCW Convention and STCW Code Review;

(e) Task Statement 21-X5, Job Task Analysis Review;

(f) Task Statement 21-X6, Sea Service for MMC Endorsements;

(g) Task Statement 21-X7, Non-Operating Individuals;

(h) Task Statement 21-X8, Remote Operator of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships;
Start Printed Page 59745

(i) Task Statement 21-X9, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault- Prevention and Culture Change in the Merchant Marine.

(6) Presentations from the Mariner Credentialing Program:

(a) Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing Update;

(b) National Maritime Center Update;

(7) Presentations from the Work Group Chairs. The Committee will review the information presented on each issue, deliberate on any recommendations presented by the Working Groups, approve/formulate recommendations, and close any completed tasks. Official action on these recommendations may be taken on this date.

(a) Task Statement 21-X4, STCW Convention and STCW Code Review;

(b) Task Statement 21-X7, Non-Operating Individuals;

(c) Task Statement 21-X8, Remote Operator of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships.

(8) Public comment period.

(9) Closing remarks/plans for next meeting.

(10) Adjournment of meeting.

A copy of all meeting documentation will be available at:
https://homeport.uscg.mil/​missions/​federal-advisory-committees/​national-merchant-marine-personnel-advisory-committee-(nmerpac)
by November 4, 2021. Alternatively, you may contact the individual noted in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section above.

Public comments or questions will be taken throughout the meeting as the Committee discusses the issues and prior to deliberations and voting. There will also be a public comment period at the end of the meeting. Speakers are requested to limit their comments to 2 minutes. Please note that the public comment period will end following the last call for comments. Contact the individual listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section above, to register as a speaker.

Start Signature

Dated: October 22, 2021.

Jeffrey G. Lantz,

Director of Commercial Regulations and Standards.

End Signature
End Supplemental Information

[FR Doc. 2021-23448 Filed 10-27-21; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Jameson Croall – Interim Head Coach – Staff Directory

Jameson Croall enters his 10th season with the United States Merchant Marine Academy after being hired in 2012 as the Mariner’s Offensive Coordinator.  In his time at the academy the offense has seen tremendous growth finishing in the top 25 nationally in many statistical categories as well as near the top of the NEWMAC each year.  In 2019, the offense averaged 482 YPG (11^th/1^st), 41 PPG (19^th/2), and finishing Top 5 in the nation in Rushing (4^), 4^th down conv. (2), and Time of Possession (3). Since entering the NEWMAC, Croall has helped guide 13 offensive players to All-Conference and 11 Academic All-Conference selections. In addition, Coach Croall also contributes to the academy in multiple facets including weight room management, teaching courses in self-defense, chairing the curriculum committee and working event management.

Prior to joining the staff, Croall served as a graduate assistant at Springfield College for two seasons, where he coached an All-American at the quarterback position, competed in the post season, and had the opportunity to coach in the “DIII Senior Classic” an all-star game in Salem, VA. Previously, Croall spent a year working as the Offensive Line coach at Maine Maritime Academy.  While there, Maine Maritime had their best season in school history, leading the nation in rushing yards per game, winning the NEFC Conference Championship, receiving an NCAA tournament bid, and having three offensive lineman named to the All-Conference Team.

A 2009 graduate of Springfield College, Croall played for four years as an offensive lineman for the Pride before earning his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.  A native of East Longmeadow, MA, he is also responsible for recruiting from the Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia

IOMMP President Addresses Merchant Marine Veterans

By MarEx 2015-05-07 13:18:13

This week the American Merchant Marine Veterans, a fraternal organization of merchant mariners, is hosting their annual National Convention to coincide with the 70-year anniversary of the end of WWII. Don Marcus, President of the International Order of Master Mates and Pilots (MM&P), was among the keynote speakers Wednesday evening at the MITAGS training school in Linthicum, Maryland. Marcus’ address to the convention is presented here.

For those WWII merchant marine veterans among us, we salute you and thank you for your sacrifices and your service that was in the very finest tradition of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

For those few of you who may be new to MITAGS, I would like to tell you that MITAGS is the training institution of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots. We are a completely non-profit institution, funded entirely by employer contributions into our training plan, tuition from non-MM&P students and revenue from conferences such as yours – so I thank you again for selecting MITAGS.

The history of our international conflicts is the history of the Merchant Marine, and the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are no different. Consistently through it all, the Merchant Marine has served dependably and without fanfare or complaint. Everyone here tonight understands the perfect and eloquent simplicity of our motto: “In Peace and War.”

In the modern era, perhaps the motto should more properly be “In Poverty or War” because we once again find our industry in the typical decline that follows outbreaks of peace. Feast or famine is the rule in the deep sea US Merchant Marine, but at this point in time the base line is so small that the point of no return may not be far away.

Today we carry less than 2% of our international maritime commerce aboard approximately 80 US flag merchant ships. Add to that less than 100 ocean going ships in the Jones Act commercial service and you have some 180 ships, at most, in the entire U.S. commercial merchant marine. Today, Military Sealift Command is the largest employer of US mariners, and even if you added the civil service crewed US naval auxiliary vessels and the contract mariner crewed vessels that are under charter to the US military, you would be very hard pressed to be able to come up with a grand total of much more than 260 large ocean-going vessels in fully operational service under US flag.

While dreams of a comprehensive national maritime policy have been floated from time to time, and while last year a symposium was held at MARAD on developing such a plan, the reality is that we are hanging on tooth and nail to protect the programs that sustain us.

The most publicized attack was, of course, that by former naval officer Senator John McCain. Senator McCain from land-locked Arizona apparently is of the mind that free trade extends to giving control of our ocean commerce and shipbuilding capacity to China and leaving our military dependent on flag of convenience carriers. The McCain amendment to eliminate the US build requirement never made it to a vote on the Senate floor, but he will be back and the attack against the Jones Act is relentless in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam.

With regards to MSP we have weathered various storms to date, including those caused by sequestration, thanks to our friends in Congress such as Barbara Mikulski, Patty Murray, Elijah Cummings, Duncan Hunter, John Garamendi and numerous others, but more funding is required for the program or our 60 ship maritime security fleet will get smaller and the largest international players will pull out.

The role of labor cannot be over emphasized in this effort, but it is necessary to add the good fortune we have in our industry that labor and management alike are on the same page when it comes to these efforts. For us advocacy for our industry is like Mom and apple pie — and it is a great blessing that in almost all circumstances we can present a unified from with management in these efforts.

There is a certain irony that the Lafollette Seaman’s Act was passed 100 years ago in March of 1915. This Act which was the lifetime achievement of that great labor leader Andrew Furuseth, of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, was intended not only to set working and living conditions aboard ship and free seaman from the legalized system of brutality that existed aboard some (NON-MM&P officered) ships of the time, but it was also intended to protect jobs for American mariners by requiring that English speaking mariners form 75 percent of the crew.

One-hundred years later, while working conditions and standards aboard U.S.-flagged vessels are arguably second to none, the U.S. foreign trade merchant marine has almost entirely vanished and been replaced by the corrupt Flag of Convenience system, which was first experimented with almost directly as a result from the Seaman’s Act of 1915 and effective regulation of US shipping and organizational efforts of US maritime labor.

Today, the Flag of Convenience system to varying degrees exploits labor, dodges regulatory compliance, avoids taxes and even, in extreme cases avoids criminal responsibilities by hiding the identity of vessel ownership.

We will not be turning back the clock. In fact, the Flag of Convenience system put us at “ground zero” of a global corporate system that has 100 years later run roughshod over countless American jobs. We must all recognize that “Free Trade” is not “free” when it destroys American jobs at sea and ashore and threatens to reduce our middle class way of life to poverty.

So here at MM&P and in maritime labor generally, we are in changing times and must answer the call to protect our industry, our jobs and the ideals that we hold dear.

We must work hard to ensure that our sons and daughters will have the same opportunities to make their living in the very fine and honorable profession that we have chosen. We must not let the heroic efforts of those that have gone before us – some of whom are in this room tonight – be squandered by short-sighed politicians or by the greedy corporate plunderers that seek to control the world’s economy.

Thank you for your attention and best wishes to you all.

90,000 What is the Military Academy?

The Military Academy is a school that has existed in the United States since 1776 for the purpose of teaching the art of war. The military academies in the United States today can be divided into three types: the high school military academy, the military higher education academy, and four federal service academies.

Military academy high schools are also known as military preparatory schools. Often targeted at boarding schools, they aim to train soldiers and civilian leaders with an emphasis on self-discipline, achievement, and community.Some accept students in fifth grade.

The Military Academy of Higher Education includes all military undergraduate, graduate and professional training programs outside the Federal Service academies. They aim to serve students in preparation for admission to a secondary military academy or college, but may also take the required physical aptitude test as part of the admission process. Some require foster candidates to be single.

In general, military higher education academies require a standard preparatory course for college entrance, and the admission process is very similar to admission to other colleges, but they also usually require some kind of physical fitness test, and some require candidates on admission not married.Some higher military academies have a mixed student population, including traditional students, as well as cadets who participate in military training as well as attend classes. Students may or may not receive a commission in the military after graduation.

There are four federal federal service academies, funded by the federal budget, to train officers for the military with a four-year bachelor’s degree. The Army Military Academy is the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.The Navy conducts officer training at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Air Force Academy – United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. And the Coast Guard trains officers at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Graduates receive a commission and have a minimum of five years of active service.

Also important to mention is the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in King’s Point, New York, which is not a Federal Service academy but trains officers on a US Merchant Marine ship and for the Navy and Coast Guard.

OTHER LANGUAGES

Gergert Dmitry Vladimirovich – National Research University Higher School of Economics

Ships at the Baltimore piers | Warspot.ru

In the American city of Baltimore, there are several interesting historical ships.Pearl Harbor veteran? A unique submarine in the capital? A one-of-a-kind fake ship? You can see them and not only them at the Baltimore piers.

Coast Guard ship “Tony” (the official name of the type – “long-range cutter”; tail number WHEC-37) was built in 1935-1936 as part of the US Coast Guard fleet renewal program. Like other ships of this class, it was named after one of the Secretaries of the US Treasury (analogous to the Secretary of the Treasury; the Coast Guard was subordinate to the Treasury until 1967).The heavily armed ship had a huge range, so she spent most of her service in the vast Pacific Ocean.

Serving his country for half a century, Tony did a lot of things: patrolling the seas, catching drug dealers, rescuing crash victims, guarding fisheries, going on weather patrols, participating in hostilities in both theaters of war during World War II. She served as a command ship during the Battle of Okinawa, operating in the Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean.The ship also participated in the Vietnam War (among other things, in Operation Market Time to prevent the transfer of guerrillas and weapons from North Vietnam to South Vietnam). As a result, he was not famous at all for this. All the merits of “Tony” turned out to be a trifle compared to the main one – it is the only surviving warship participating in repelling the attack of Japanese aircraft on the US Navy base Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That is why, after leaving service in 1986, the Tony was transferred to the city of Baltimore for equipment as a museum ship.The ship still stands in the inner harbor of the city, being not only a museum, but also a place for various educational events. In addition, annually on December 7, the Tony commemorates those killed in Pearl Harbor.

Coast Guard ship Tony. Photo by the author

Bow 127-mm artillery mount. Photo by the author

“Hall of Fame” on the railing of the ship’s bridge. Downed planes, awards received and ships caught with a cargo of drugs are indicated. Photo by the author

Traveling bridge.Photo by the author

Radio room. Photo by the author

It would seem that something unusual can happen in the life of a museum ship standing at the quay wall? However, in July 2020 “Tony” … lost its name and became just “WHEC-37”. The reason for this gesture, strange at first glance, was the fierce campaign against racism unfolding in the United States. The fact is that the man in whose honor the ship was named is not known at all for his hard work as Secretary of the Treasury. It was he who presided over the US Supreme Court in 1857, when that court ruled in the case of the fugitive slave Dred Scott.Tony personally wrote a decision in which he argued that blacks are non-people who physically cannot be US citizens, and a slave remains a slave wherever he is (even in a state where slavery has been abolished). During the American Civil War, Tony remained the head of the US Supreme Court, while actively supporting the case of the Confederate rebels and putting a spoke in the wheels of US President Lincoln. He died in 1864, unable to bear the news that his home state of Maryland had abolished slavery. It is clear that in the 1930s, such touches in Tony’s biography did not bother the ruling elite of the Democratic Party – the very party that strongly supported slavery in the United States before the Civil War.But in the 21st century, it became clear that many Americans do not like a ship named after such a person.

Canteen. Photo by the author

Senior officer’s cabin. Photo by the author

Damage control corridor and closet. Photo by the author

Descent to the boiler room. The pipe with the Pepsi-Cola logo is an emergency access from the boiler room. Photo by the author

The submarine “Torsk” (tail number SS-423) belongs to the “Tench” class. Built in 1944, before the end of World War II, she managed to make two military campaigns in the Pacific Ocean.Having passed the “snorkel” modification in 1952, the boat served in the fleet for another twelve years. Among other things, she managed to take part in the blockade of Cuba in 1962. After being sent to the reserve, the submarine until 1971 stood in Washington (DC), where reservists were trained on board. In 1971, the boat was removed from the fleet, to be transferred to the state of Maryland the following year for use as a museum ship. When converted into a museum ship, the submarine retained its final configuration.

Submarine “Torsk”. Photo by the author

Aft torpedo compartment. Photo by the author

Diesel compartment. Photo by the author

Command post. Photo by the author

Dining team. Photo by the author

Cabin acoustics (sonar). Photo by the author

The Constellation, built in 1854, was the last purely sailing ship in the American Navy. He served in the Mediterranean, off the west coast of Africa (where he fought against the slave trade), and chased Confederate raiders in the Mediterranean and Atlantic during the American Civil War.Later, the sloop was used to train cadets of the Naval Academy, as well as ceremonial visits to Europe.

Why such attention to the ordinary sloop? The fact is that it was confused with the famous ancestor, the frigate “Constellation” (the sister ship of the frigate “Constitution”, which is still afloat in Boston as a museum ship). An old frigate (built in 1797) with an outstanding combat career was dismantled almost simultaneously with the construction of the new Constellation. At the same time, the fact of the disassembly was not particularly advertised, since the US Navy tried to avoid bureaucratic fuss with obtaining permission to build a new ship under the pretext of “reworking” the old one.Over time, the myth took on an independent life, which is not surprising, since in this case the Constellation would have been the oldest ship in the US Navy (launched a month earlier than the Constitution). Even when in 1954 the US Navy transferred the Constellation to the city of Baltimore, they persuaded that the ship’s continuous history was confirmed by documents (upon further investigation it turned out that 25-30 of these documents were forgeries). In fact, the ship ended up in Baltimore because it was here that the original frigate Constellation was built.It was only in the 90s that a whole series of almost detective investigations unequivocally proved that this Constellation was not a frigate built in 1797, but another ship. As a result, during a major overhaul in 1999, the ship had to be “refurbished”, bringing it into line with the original drawings of 1854, and not with the drawings of the frigate built in 1797.

In 2020, a museum began to be built near the Constellation, in which they plan to place part of the available exhibits and documents on the history of the ship.

Sloop “Constellation”. Photo by the author

Battery deck. Photo by the author

Officer’s wardroom. Photo by the author

The ship’s treasurer’s cabin. Photo by the author

For the sake of completeness, there are three other nautical sites located in Baltimore that should be noted. Firstly, this is the transport of the “Liberty” type “John Brown”, a representative of one of the most massive types of cargo ships in the world. Of more than 2,700 transports of this type, built during the Second World War, only 3 have survived now.The transport, built in 1942 at the shipyard in Sparrose Point near Baltimore, had a lot of work during the Second World War. After the war, it became a floating school for merchant sailors in New York. After the school closed in 1982, they decided to turn the ship into a museum. After years of ordeal, fundraising and renovation in 1991, John Brown opened to visitors. The beauty of this museum ship is that it is on the move and occasionally makes small cruises. Usually, transport is open to visitors only in the summer season, so before visiting you need to check the information on the website.

The Chesapeake Floating Lighthouse is one of the now almost extinct class of ships that provided navigation in coastal areas (where a stationary lighthouse could not be installed). After serving as a floating beacon from 1930 to 1971, the vessel became a floating training class for environmental education. In 1982, the Chesapeake was transferred to the city of Baltimore, which converted it into a museum, trying to restore the ship’s original appearance as accurately as possible.

Seven Foot Noll Lighthouse was built in 1855 and remained on the sandbank of the same name until 1988, when it was moved to the pier in Baltimore Harbor.It is currently closed to visitors.

Transport “John Brown” type “Liberty”
wikipedia.org

Floating lighthouse “Chesapeake”
wikipedia.org

Lighthouse “Seven Foot Noll”
wikipedia.org

Addresses of museums:

• Historic Ships in Baltimore (all ships and vessels except the John Brown transport). Pier 1, 301 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-3110 https://historicships.org/
• Project Liberty Ship S.S. JOHN W. BROWN). Pier 13, 4601 Newgate Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 https://ssjohnwbrown.org/

90,000 Dr. Urbanik – Proton Therapy Specialist

Dr. Urbanick has been the San Diego Medical Director at the Proton Center since his first year. He was involved in the formation of the Proton Therapy Consortium at the University of California to provide proton therapy assistance to patients from all health systems of the University of California.

Dr. Urbanik, who specializes in various methods of radiation therapy and radiosurgery, has extensive experience in the field of proton therapy. He has developed academic courses for the training of regular and medical practitioners and teaches at the UCSD School of Medicine as an instructor in the Department of Radiation Medicine. He is an integral member of several national cancer research groups developing major clinical trials for lung cancer, breast cancer, and brain tumors, and has published extensively on these topics.Prior to UCSD, Dr. Urbanik led the lung cancer, breast cancer, and body radiosurgery programs at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he traveled the world as a navigation and engineering officer in the United States. Dr. Urbanik is also a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Radiation Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

90,000 causes and essence of the US Civil War, main events and results

In the early 1860s, a number of acute political, economic and ethical contradictions ripened between the North and South of the United States, which led to the split of the country.

The northern states were inhabited mainly by enterprising people from the bottom. Emigrants from all over the world flocked here in search of a better life. They developed industry, erected large cities, and built railways. The northern states guaranteed personal freedom to everyone and sought to create a capitalist state with strong centralized power.

Planters lived in the South – the wealthy descendants of the European aristocracy. They owned huge agricultural land, for which they used slaves.Southerners led a measured life away from big cities and adhered to conservative views. Politics in the South was built on the principle of “do what you want, but do not interfere with others” – each state, in fact, was an independent state.

Background of the American Civil War

The causes of the American Civil War can be divided into three groups.

1. Political contradictions

The population of the Northern states was replenished with free emigrants, and the South – slaves imported from abroad.This led to the fact that only a quarter of the population of the Southern States had the right to vote by the early 1860s. Southerners feared that with such a dynamic, all controversial political issues in Congress would be decided in favor of the North by a majority vote.

In addition, the central government located in the North sought to extend influence to all states, while the Southern Territories wanted to maintain local government.

2. Economic disagreements

The entire industry of the country was concentrated in the North, while cotton, sugar cane, tobacco and other industrial crops were harvested in the South.For a long time, the Southern states supplied raw materials to the North, where local manufacturers were engaged in their processing and export of goods. However, at a certain point, the planters realized that it was much more profitable to trade with Europe without intermediaries. The owners of factories in the North risked being left without supplies, and their goods in the South were ousted by European ones. Wanting to protect the domestic market, the government imposed huge taxes on trade with Europe, displeasing the Southerners.

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3.Attitudes towards slavery

All agriculture in the South was based on slave labor, while the use of unskilled slaves in factories was ineffective. The industrialists of the North needed free workers’ hands and advocated the abolition of slavery. For Southern planters, this would mean the collapse of the entire economic system, built on free labor.

The moral side of the issue was also important: many public figures in America criticized slavery as an inhuman relic of the past and demanded its abolition.

America’s Split

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln became President of the United States . He ran for the Republican Party, which advocated the abolition of slavery and support for the country’s domestic market. Lincoln’s rise to power provoked the Southern states to take decisive action.

US President Abraham Lincoln and CSA President Jefferson Davis
Source: civil-war.net
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On December 20, 1860, South Carolina announced its secession from the United States.Within a few months, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, and Florida joined it.

These states organized a new state – the Confederate States of America (CSA) with its capital in Richmond. They adopted a new constitution and elected President Jefferson Davis , who declared that in the CSA “slavery will exist forever.” All Lincoln’s proposals to discuss the situation at the negotiating table were rejected.The country was split in two. An armed conflict was brewing.

The balance of forces

The United States retained control over 23 states, including four slave states – Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware and Maryland, for which loyalty had to be fought with the use of force. The population of the Northern states was significantly larger – 22 million people versus 9.1 million in the Confederation (3.6 of whom were slaves). In addition, on the side of the North there was a developed industry and infrastructure: 70% of the railways were in the Northern states.

The American State Splits
Source: wikipedia.org

Despite this, the South also had significant advantages. First, the planters had significant financial resources. Second, virtually all of the senior officers, including the talented General Robert Lee , were on the side of the Confederacy. The southerners carefully prepared for the upcoming war: they were pulling troops to the border in advance, stocking up on weapons and food.

Main events of the American Civil War

The first stage of the war (1861-1863)

CSA General Robert Edward Lee after the battle
Source: artranked.com
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Fighting commenced April 12, 1861 with the Confederate capture of Fort Sumter in South Carolina. His garrison remained loyal to the federal government and refused to surrender, but was forced to surrender after 34 hours of shelling.

In response, Lincoln declared the Southern states rebellious and began to call for volunteers, and later introduced military service. Similar actions were taken in the South.

The first major battle took place in Virginia.On July 18, the Federation army crossed the border at the Bull Run, but was defeated by the Confederate forces. The poorly trained Northerners fled. If the Southerners began to pursue them and moved to Washington, America’s history could have turned out differently. However, the Confederation did not set the task of conquering the North, so the army of the South remained on the border. By the fall, the commander-in-chief of the federal army George McClellan had assembled a large army to invade Virginia, but was also defeated.

Operations at sea were much more successful for the Northern states.Most of the navy remained under Federation control, so the Northerners were able to blockade several major southern ports, depriving the Confederation of supplies from Europe.

In 1862, the army of the North achieved success in the west of the country: at the cost of many lives, it was possible to dislodge the Southerners from Kentucky, occupy the states of Tennessee and Missouri, and then invade northern regions of Alabama and Mississippi.

On April 12, 1862, a group of northerners saboteurs in Georgia hijacked a steam locomotive from the Confederates and went to Tennessee, setting fire to bridges behind them, damaging rails and cutting off telegraph wires.The opponents tried to catch up with them on another steam locomotive. This episode went down in the history of the American Civil War as the “Great Steam Train”.

In the same spring, the world’s first battle of armored ships took place. The Confederate-built battleship Virginia attempted to break the naval blockade by destroying several wooden Federation ships, but faced an equal adversary, the battleship Monitor. Their battle lasted more than three hours, but the ships were unable to destroy each other.Nevertheless, this episode made a revolution in naval affairs, proving to the whole world the superiority of the steel fleet over the wooden one.

Battle of “Virginia” (top) with “Monitor” (bottom)
Source: e-news.su
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In the early summer of 1862 on the eastern front, McClellan, nicknamed the “slower” for his indecisive actions, was removed from the post of commander in chief and sent with an army to storm Richmond, the capital of the Confederation. He had an army of 100,000 at his disposal, but even that strength was not enough to take the fortifications erected on the approaches to the city by General Li.In the battle, which went down in history as Seven-day battle (June 25 – July 1), both armies suffered colossal losses: about 2 thousand killed and 8 thousand wounded from the Northerners and almost 3.5 thousand killed and 16 thousand wounded from the Southerners.

General Lee’s troops managed not only to defend Rimchond, but also to launch a counteroffensive. On September 17, 1862, they were blocked by McClellan’s 75,000 army at the Antitem Creek. The Battle of Antiitem was the bloodiest day in all the years of the American Civil War – about 3.6 thousand people died on both sides of the front in one day.The battle ended in fact in a draw, but the Southerners retreated.

Lincoln demanded a decisive counterattack from McClellan, but the slow general did not rush into action and was dismissed. The new commander Ambrose Burnside launched an attack on Richmond only in December 1862, but was also defeated by General Lee and removed from command.

The first stage of the war was unsuccessful for the Northerners. Despite their numerical superiority, they were unable to break down the defenses of the South.

Lincoln’s authority, who still hoped to solve the problem without unnecessary bloodshed, began to decline – he was condemned for indecision and weakness of character. The defeats of 1861-1862 forced Washington to adopt more stringent measures.

Second phase of the war (1863-1865)

Battle of Gettysburg
Source: artranked.com
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In early 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation , according to which all slaves in the Southern States were declared free.Blacks got the opportunity to fight for their independence in the ranks of the Federation army. This decision completely changed the nature of the war – now it was fought not only to preserve the unity of the United States, but also to abolish slavery. Britain and France, former trading partners of the Southern states, now looked favorably on Lincoln’s actions, and Russia even sent a naval squadron to support the president (however, the Russians did not take part in this war).

The beginning of the year turned out to be unsuccessful for the Federation: the next attack on Richmond by the 130-thousandth army turned into a complete defeat from the half-smaller army of Lee.The battle lasted six days, and the total losses of the parties amounted to 18.5 thousand killed and wounded.

Taking into account the mistake of the year before last, Lee launched a counteroffensive against Washington, but was stopped by the army of General George Mead, the new commander of the North. From 1 to 3 July 1863, the famous Battle of Gettysburg took place. The battle was extremely fierce – the Southerners sought to win the final victory, and the Northerners fought for the first time on their land. As a result, the Confederates retreated, having lost 27 thousand people killed and wounded.The losses of the Northerners were slightly less, so they could not pursue the enemy and build on their success.

At the same time, Federation forces won another important victory on the western front: they succeeded in capturing the Vicksburg Fortress in Louisiana. Now the North controlled the entire Mississippi Valley, and the Confederation was divided into two parts.

By the end of 1863, all the military and financial resources of the Confederation were running out, but the morale of the Southerners was still strong: they fiercely resisted the army of the North, now and then pushing it back.

In 1864, Commander-in-Chief of the US Army Ulysses Grant developed a plan for the final defeat of the Confederation. The first blow was to be delivered by General William Sherman: he entered Georgia, and regardless of losses, destroying everything in its path, moved to the Atlantic Ocean.

Grant himself with a 118,000-strong army attacked in the east, meeting with enemy troops in the wilderness forest. In the battle in the Wilderness Grant lost 18 thousand people, but this did not stop him.With bloody battles and huge losses, he pushed on until he was stopped by General Lee in the 13-day Battle of Cold Harbor (May 31 – June 12). Unable to gain the upper hand, Grant withdrew and laid siege to the city of Petersberg. This siege lasted almost a year.

Meanwhile, Sherman’s army reached the Atlantic coast with battles. By December, he had occupied the coastal cities of Atlanta and Savannah, and then turned to join up with Grant’s forces.

By the spring of 1865, Grant had more than 115,000 people at his disposal, while Lee had only 54,000.His army began to retreat, but was surrounded. On April 9, General Lee, with the remnants of his army, surrendered to Grant at the Appomattox River.

Five days after the surrender of the Army of the South, President Lincoln was assassinated. On April 14, 1865, he was shot dead by a Southerner supporter, John Booth, in a box at the Ford Theater.

On May 10, with the arrest of Jefferson Davis and other members of the government, the Confederate States of America ceased to exist. Individual CSA units still continued to resist, but by August 1865, the war was over.

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Results of the American Civil War

The American Civil War became the bloodiest conflict in the history of the nation: 600 thousand dead and 400 thousand missing.

The main result of the war was the famous 13 amendment to the US Constitution , which abolished slavery throughout the country.It was a major step towards equality in American society.

At the same time, the amendment did not provide the former slaves with even minimal property: they were simply expelled from the plantations, leaving them to fend for themselves. This led to an increase in crime in the war-torn states. To restore order, the white population began to unite into armed organizations, one of which was the infamous Ku Klux Klan.

The Federation armies on the territory of the rebellious states behaved like invaders: they destroyed plantations with already harvested crops, burned villages, smashed cities.It took more than ten years for the US economy to recover after the Civil War. The troops were withdrawn from the states of the former Confederation only in 1877.

Despite all the dire consequences, the American Civil War brought a number of positive changes:

• The government managed to preserve the integrity of the country.
• The abolition of slavery was the first step towards equalizing the rights of the white and black population.
• The centralization of power and the strengthening of the domestic market subsequently made the United States one of the most developed countries in the world.
• War tempered the American army and promoted the development of military affairs.

An important feature of the American Civil War was the use of the latest technological advances. Machine guns, mines, observation balloons and battleships, ramming ships and even submarines were first used in large-scale hostilities and proved their effectiveness.

Mark Kelly | Biography and facts

Mark Kelly , fully Mark Edward Kelly (born February 21, 1964, Orange, New Jersey, USA) is an American astronaut and politician who served in the US Senate (2020–2020).), Representing Arizona. He is the identical twin brother of astronaut Scott Kelly.

Mark Kelly received his BS in Marine Engineering and Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, NY in 1986. Scott and Mark became US Navy pilots in 1987 and 1989, respectively. Mark flew 39 combat missions during the 1991 Gulf War.Both brothers graduated from the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, in 1994. Mark also earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval graduate school in Monterey, California.

Mark and Scott Kelly began their astronaut training in August 1996. Mark’s first space flight was as a pilot for space shuttle Endeavor on Mission STS-108 (5-17 December 2001), during which three astronauts and supplies were delivered to the International space station (ISS). Mark flew to the ISS again in July 2006 for the 13-day STS-121 mission as a pilot for spacecraft Discovery , which brought a German astronaut to the ISS, increasing its crew from two to three.Mark made two subsequent flights to the ISS as mission commander. On the STS-124 mission (May 31 – June 14, 2008) of the Discovery spacecraft under the command of Mark , the Japanese experimental module Kibo was attached to the ISS.

Scott was launched to the ISS on the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-01M on October 8, 2010 and remained on board until March 16, 2011. Mark originally planned to arrive to the ISS in February 2011 as the commander of the last mission of the space shuttle Endeavor “.STS-134, which was supposed to attach the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS, an experiment designed to study antimatter, dark matter and cosmic rays, and the Kelly twins would become the first siblings in space at the same time. However, due to delays in the launch of the earlier mission, the launch of STS-134 was postponed to May 16, 2011.

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Mark’s wife, rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was seriously injured in an assassination attempt on January 8, 2011.At Mark’s request, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has appointed a backup commander, Rick Sturkov, in case Mark cannot complete preparations for the attack. STS-134. However, Giffords recovered from her injuries much faster than expected, and she was able to observe Mark’s launch into space. STS-134 returned to Earth on June 1, and in October Mark left NASA and the US Navy to help Giffords with her recovery. A month later, Giffords and Mark published Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope (co-written with Jeffrey Zaslow).In 2013, in response to the 2012 Newtown shooting, they founded Americans for Responsible Decisions, an organizing committee and political action committee dedicated to reducing the use of firearms in the United States. In 2019, Mark announced that he was running for the US Senate from the state of Arizona, and was elected in November 2020; he took office the next month.

90,000 June 25, photo, history, description, signs

Day of the Seafarer or Day of the Seafarer (Day of the Seafarer) is a professional holiday and world seafarer’s day and is held every year on June 25.This professional holiday is a vivid testimony to the deep respect for all sea workers. Since then, on this day, people around the world express their gratitude to seafarers for their contribution to the world economy and the development of society.

History of the holiday. The holiday is relatively young and was established recently. On June 24, 2010, the member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), members of the United Nations at the Manila Conference, signed Resolution No. 19, which approved the Day of the Seafarer as an international professional holiday and announced that from that moment, the Day of the Seafarer is celebrated on June 25 of each year.The profession of a sailor is, without exaggeration, one of the most legendary professions in the whole world. From time immemorial, the toilers of the sea have carried out and continue to carry out various and much-needed work for all of us. The entire world ocean, rivers, lakes and bodies of water are an integral part of our entire history, culture and economy. Water is that element, the power of which is capable of absorbing even the most courageous person, but which has always shared life with us, opened new paths for us, suggested ingenious solutions.

It should be noted that the established date is largely devoted to the glorification of labor specifically to the seamen of the merchant marine. Its main goal is to acquaint the world community with the pressing problems of the people of this profession. According to UN statistics, the merchant marine employs more than 1.5 million seafarers, who ensure the delivery of 90% of all goods in the world.

Traditions of seafarers. Sailors have their own, sacred maritime traditions. For example, a funny ceremony associated with the first crossing of the equator.The equator, as you know, is such an imaginary, but quite definite line dividing our planet into two hemispheres: northern and southern. According to tradition, on naval ships, whether it be a merchant ship or a military cruiser, when crossing the equator, the festival of Neptune is held on board, and the sailors who cross the equator for the first time are given an initiation ceremony. This is one of the brightest and most colorful events in the life of the ship. The sea god Neptune appears on the ship and after a short conversation with the captain, right there on the deck baptizes the sailors who have visited his domain for the first time.”Baptized” – from knapsack degassers – devices that resemble garden sprayers. They did not spare the water, and then each “baptized” was awarded a diploma of crossing the equator.

Almost on all seas, the taboo is strictly observed – you cannot whistle in the sea. This can change the wind or start a storm. For many peoples, whistling is generally considered a sin, since only devils can whistle. The whistle annoys and angers the gods.

The earring in the right ear protects against rheumatism and impaired vision.A large gold earring was worn by sailors passing by Cape Horn.

There is a belief that sea gulls are the keepers of the souls of people who died in shipwrecks. The pitiful cry of the seagulls is the demand of the deceased to bury them according to Christian tradition – in the ground.

Tattooing – drawing on the body by injecting paint into the skin was an ancient custom of sailors. In this way, they tried to ingratiate themselves with the sea gods and return safely to their homeland.

Day of the sailor in Ukraine. Ukraine celebrates Sailor’s Day together with the whole planet. As of 2015, in the field of water transport in Ukraine there are 38 state-owned enterprises with a turnover of about UAH 10 billion per year, 5 thousand sectoral business entities, and about 100 thousand Ukrainian citizens have chosen the profession of a sailor.

There are 13 continental seaports in Ukraine, with a throughput capacity of 262 million tons per year, which employ 25 thousand employees. There are 16 river ports and terminals on inland waterways with a capacity of 60 million tons per year.

Photo: iStock / Global Images Ukraine

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