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United States Maritime Administration

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Federal Maritime Commission.

United States Maritime Administration
Seal of the U.S. Maritime Administration
Flag of the U.S. Maritime Administration
Agency overview
FormedMay 24, 1950
Preceding agency
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Agency executives
Parent agencyDepartment of Transportation
Websitemaritime.dot.gov

The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an agency of the United States Department of Transportation. MARAD administers financial programs to develop, promote, and operate the U.S. Maritime Service and the U.S. Merchant Marine. In addition, it conducts research and development activities in the maritime field; regulates the transfer of U.S. documented vessels to foreign registries; maintains equipment, shipyard facilities, and reserve fleets of Government-owned ships essential for national defense. MARAD also maintains the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) as a ready source of ships for use during national emergencies and logistically supporting the military when needed.

History

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When the United States Maritime Commission was abolished on May 24, 1950, its functions were split between the Federal Maritime Board which was responsible for regulating shipping and awarding subsidies for construction and operation of merchant vessels, and Maritime Administration, which was responsible for administering subsidy programs, maintaining the national defense reserve merchant fleet, and operating the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

In 1961, the Federal Maritime Board regulatory functions were assumed by the newly created Federal Maritime Commission, while the subsidy functions were assigned to the Maritime Subsidy Board of the Maritime Administration.

On August 6, 1981, MARAD came under control of the Department of Transportation thereby bringing all transportation programs under one cabinet-level department.

Leadership

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  • Ann C. Phillips, Administrator
  • Lucinda Lessley, Deputy Maritime Administrator
  • Kevin Tokarski, Associate Administrator, Strategic Sealift
  • Vice Admiral Jack Buono, USMS, Superintendent, United States Merchant Marine Academy
  • Delia Davis, Associate Administrator, Administration
  • Corey Beckett, Associate Administrator, Budget and Programs/Chief Financial Officer
  • Michael Carter, Associate Administrator, Environment and Compliance
  • William Paape, Associate Administrator, Ports & Waterways
  • David Heller, Associate Administrator, Business and Finance Development

Maritime Academies

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The Maritime Administration collaborates with stakeholders from all transportation sectors and modes in order to accomplish its mission to improve the U.S. marine transportation system. MARAD operates one federal service academy and administers a Grant-In-Aid Program for six state-operated maritime academies:

Classification Name Location Notes
Federal United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, New York One of the United States service academies
State California Maritime Academy Vallejo, California A campus of the California State University
State Maine Maritime Academy Castine, Maine A public post-secondary college and nautical training institution
State Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts A regionally accredited, coeducational, state college
State Great Lakes Maritime Academy Traverse City, Michigan A division of Northwestern Michigan College
State SUNY Maritime College Bronx, New York A campus of the State University of New York
State Texas A&M Maritime Academy Galveston, Texas A branch campus of Texas A&M University

Students at these academies can graduate with appropriate United States Coast Guard licenses (Mate or Engineer) if they choose to take the Coast Guard License exam. They may become commissioned reserve officers in any branch of the service when graduating from USMMA or a ROTC scholarship from one of the other maritime schools.

Subsidies

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The Maritime Subsidy Board negotiates contracts for ship construction and grants operating-differential subsidies to shipping companies.

Maritime Security Program

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The Maritime Administrator is vested with the residual powers of the Director of the National Shipping Authority, which was established in 1951 to organize and direct emergency merchant marine operations.

The Maritime Security Program (MSP) authorizes MARAD to enter into contracts with U.S.-flag commercial ship owners to provide service during times of war or national emergencies. As of 2007, ten companies have signed contracts providing the MSP with a reserve of sixty cargo vessels.[1]

Past Administrators

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Administrator Term started Term ended
1 Edward L. Cochrane August 8, 1950 October 1, 1952
2 Albert W. Gatov October 2, 1952 June 30, 1953
3 Louis S. Rothschild July 1, 1953 February 25, 1955
4 Clarence G. Morse March 16, 1955 May 1, 1960
5 Ralph E. Wilson July 1, 1960 February 22, 1961
6 Donald W. Alexander October 9, 1961 October 31, 1963
7 Nicholas Johnson March 2, 1964 June 30, 1966
8 Andrew E. Gibson March 25, 1969 July 6, 1972
9 Robert J. Blackwell July 7, 1972 April 9, 1979
10 Harold E. Shear October 19, 1981 May 31, 1985
11 John A. Gaughan November 26, 1985 March 26, 1989
12 Warren G. Leback October 11, 1989 January 20, 1993
13 Albert J. Herberger September 14, 1993 June 30, 1997
14 Clyde J. Hart Jr. August 6, 1998 May 21, 2000
15 William G. Schubert December 6, 2001 February 11, 2005
16 Sean T. Connaughton September 6, 2006 January 20, 2009
17 David T. Matsuda July 30, 2009 June 4, 2013
18 Paul N. "Chip" Jaenichen July 25, 2014 January 13, 2017
19 Mark H. Buzby August 3, 2017 January 11, 2021
20 Ann C. Phillips May 16, 2022 Present

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Maritime Security Program (MSP)". MARAD. Retrieved August 3, 2007.
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