Page 33: of Marine News Magazine (March 2021)

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Feature

Education & Training

For Fossum, the new vessel will offer more cadets various programs. This could include lab equipment, a chance to learn in what he characterized as “an im- computer simulators, as well as resources for students. mersive environment.” “Sea-terms,” he said, “is where Again, planning, not repurposing.

you put it all together.” There will be onboard classes, The NSMV will also provide the state and nation great- but critically cadets will experience and learn from real er disaster and emergency response capabilities. Fossum work: 24-hour operations, four on, eight off, all posi- noted, for example, there were nine named storms in the tions, dealing with weather, traf? c, maintenance, dock- Gulf last summer. During Hurricane Harvey, in 2017, ing. “They will be doing all of the hands-on things that the academy’s training ship was used to rescue offshore will soon be part of the world they are licensed to oper- oil workers. It could only carry 35 people. The new ves- ate in,” Fossum said. sel: 1,000. When needed, the new NSMVs will become

Importantly, as vessel construction starts, academy lead- signi? cant regional emergency assets.

ers have opportunities for forethought, to be deliberate As noted, the NSMVs are owned by the federal gov- about new, speci? c training assets, e.g., a second bridge. ernment. Formally, they are part of MARAD’s National

MARAD’s Smith said the state maritime academies will Defense Reserve Fleet. They are on a custodial loan to the provide the vessel construction manager (TOTE Services) state maritime academies, which contribute to upkeep, with the training equipment needed for each academy’s provide a berth and perform general maintenance.

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