Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (November 2017)

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COLUMN OP/ED

First and foremost, we have to tell our story. We have a great industry, one that contributes to the defense of our nation, our homeland security, and provides half a million Americans with more than $29 billion in paychecks.

An amount which ensures these families can support a comfortable lifestyle and a better future for their children. In short, the Jones Act provides the American Dream for 500,000 hardworking Americans. websites and price studies, I found all the proof I needed We don’t tell this story enough. I think we as an industry on my phone, speci? cally within my Amazon Prime App. sometimes fall into the trap of being suspicious of main-

On this App, I found Amazon Prime’s standard shipping stream media outlets and are not as active as we need to be costs Puerto Rican customers nothing. It’s free, the same on the newer media platforms. Additionally, I think some- cost I pay when I have Amazon ship something to me in times we get worried that by raising the Jones Act we are

New Orleans. I veri? ed these costs on my Home Depot inviting attacks against this Act. This is proving to be a

App. Home Depot also provides free shipping to its Puerto shortsighted strategy. The forces that are ideologically op-

Rican customers for orders over $75. If these two compa- posed to the Jones Act or that stand to gain economically nies can ? gure out how to ship cargo to Puerto Rico with- from its elimination are going to continue to distort situa- out incurring increased costs, I’m certain everyone else can tions like Hurricane Maria in an attempt to get their way. do the same thing, if they so desire. Considering that to be true, Jones Act proponents need

These facts aside, what is even more important to me is to be equally visible and vocal, even when the audience ? guring out what we in the maritime community can do to has already formed an impression. For that reason, I’m change people’s impressions of the Jones Act and/or ensure not going to hide the great story our industry has to tell. they don’t develop negative impressions in the ? rst place. Again, facts do matter and the fact is that the Jones Act is

First and foremost, we have to tell our story. We have a an important piece of American public policy, one which great industry, one that contributes to the defense of our is integral to all of our national, homeland, and economic nation, our homeland security, and provides half a mil- security interests. I hope you’ll join me in telling our tale. lion Americans with more than $29 billion in paychecks.

An amount which ensures these families can support a comfortable lifestyle and a better future for their children.

Aaron Smith is President and CEO of the Offshore Marine

In short, the Jones Act provides the American Dream for

Service Association (OMSA).

500,000 hardworking Americans.

November 2017

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