Page 30: of Marine News Magazine (May 2022)

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Feature

Training & Education participation by commercial vessel operators and whether that might impact suf? cient training slots for cadets. Train- ing time has a “split” reference because Sea Year typically consists of two sailing sessions, one during sophomore year and then a longer junior year session. Lessley explained that about 120 junior students were most impacted by the pause because it timed with their second year. However,

Lessley said, “We anticipate that all members of the Class of ’23 will be able to accrue the time they need at the ex- pected time period to take their license exams when they would normally take them.”

A big reason, Lessley explained, is the Navy, the Coast

Guard and the Military Sealift Command (MSC) stepped up and increased their training opportunities. Lessley was effusive in her appreciation for this assistance.

She explained further that MSC normally provides about 25% of training slots. However, “training at the Merchant

Marine Academy has relied largely on commercial vessels,” she commented, and added: “We recognize the value of that training and that is why we moved so quickly to create the EMBARC program, so that we could enroll commer- cial vessels and have those training opportunities available

MARAD to our midshipmen.”

She was asked whether MARAD had a timeline, infor- “We must name the problems mal or otherwise, by which of? cials hoped to have certain we seek to eliminate and numbers of U.S. vessel operators signed on to EMBARC.

Her reply: “We would like all U.S. ? ag carriers that have then fully implement policies vessels under SOLAS to enroll. That is our goal.” and procedures to prevent

In her keynote in February, Lessley urged international operators to consider an EMBARC type program. She ref- harassment and assault erenced that the “IMO has noted sexual assault and sexual harassment are international challenges and they are exam- from happening. We must ining appropriate actions.” She was asked in April about any also remove the barriers discussions or interactions so far with foreign vessels. She said not yet, but she emphasized, again, that this starts a call that have too often stood in to action, that it is a concern for the IMO and she is looking the way of reporting when for “all operators to be deliberate in addressing this issue”.

In her interview, Lessley described anti-SASH efforts be- harassment and assaults yond EMBARC, which she called more public facing than a second critical move: a new “Superintendent Instruction,” have occurred.” issued December 22, to govern USMMA’s Sea Year and a revised Sea Year guide for midshipmen. These documents – Lucinda Lessley, present new policies and procedures to strengthen support

Acting Maritime Administrator for cadets, including the use of new satellite phones cadets 30 | MN May 2022