The House Armed Services Committee last month cleared legislation that includes an expansion and 10-year extension of the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP). Committee members approved the Fiscal Year 2004 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1588), which includes the updated MSP, by a vote of 58-2 on May 14.The House was preparing to take up H.R. 1588 as this issue of the Seafarers LOG went to press.
According to a release issued by the Armed Services Committee, the reauthorized MSP would increase the number of vessels in the MSP fleet from 47 to 60. The program would begin Oct. 1, 2005, as the current MSP expires.
Since last year, U.S. maritime unions including the SIU have campaigned for an extended, expanded MSP, citing the program’s value to national defense. They also have emphasized the need for participants to have adequate time to plan for a new MSP—something that necessitates action long before the current program expires.
Before the committee’s recent vote, SIU President Michael Sacco and the presidents of the American Maritime Officers; Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association; and Masters, Mates & Pilots submitted a letter to all committee members urging their support of an upgraded MSP.
“The MSP and its maritime security fleet of militarily useful U.S.-flag commercial vessels and their American citizen crews serves as a fundamental and increasingly important component of our nation’s sealift capability,” the presidents wrote. “Not only will a larger maritime security fleet ensure that the Department of Defense has an even greater capability to meet the sealift sustainment and manpower needs of our Armed Forces, but will provide a greater, much-needed base of employment for American merchant mariners who crew the government’s sealift vessels as well as the vessels operated by private industry for our government in time or war or other international conflict.”
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