In a report examining many aspects of the nation’s marine transportation system, the United States Maritime Administration (MarAd) strongly credits the U.S. Merchant Marine as an integral part of national security.The agency published the 47-page report in late 2007. It is titled, “The Maritime Administration and the U.S. Marine Transportation System: A Vision for the 21st Century.”
Besides recognizing mariners for their historic reliability and present-day importance, the report looks at maritime and the economy; the nation’s port system and marine highways; public-private partnerships in the industry; workforce development; environmental issues; the Ready Reserve Force; and successful laws and programs including cargo preference, the Jones Act, the Maritime Security Program and its related Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), and more.
Where mariners are concerned, the agency notes, “The U.S. Merchant Marine has been an integral part of America’s defense establishment since the founding of the nation…. Since then, time and again the men, women and vessels of the merchant marine have supported America’s armed forces in periods of war and national emergency. Thousands of American mariners have died, been wounded or taken prisoner during those conflicts….
“Those who would do great harm to the United States, its people and interests pose a real danger. Safeguarding freedom and security involves a global commitment. The U.S. Merchant Marine has had and will continue to take a leading role in that struggle in times of peace as well as war and national emergency.”
The report goes on to point out that U.S. national defense has relied heavily on the U.S. commercial sector for more than two centuries, and continues doing so today. “This includes using ships as naval auxiliaries, vessels to transport military personnel and supplies and trained seafarers for naval service.
For the maritime transportation system today, defense mobilization still equates to having a strong industrial base as well as sufficient U.S. commercial ships and civilian crews available to meet defense sealift requirements…. The United States simply cannot respond to conflicts or emergencies overseas without sealift. It is figuratively and literally a lifeline to U.S. armed forces and their missions. This is being proven once again during the current Global War on Terrorism….
“It is also essential that the active commercial U.S.-flag fleet and its intermodal systems are available to serve the United States’ military and economic needs.”
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