Page 21: of Marine News Magazine (August 2023)

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to Maine. The U.S. East Coast is also the launching point for developing the country’s offshore wind industry. More importantly, the federal government just invested nearly $2 billion in the construction of ? ve NSMV training ships in Philadelphia. The program to replace aging academy training vessels has been a discussion for as many years as we have discussed global warming.

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) needs to develop a more inclusive program using these assets outside of the sea time for academy license requirements. The platforms should be made available to train re- turning veterans, high school marine science programs and union school applicants to help solve the labor shortage and provide clear pathways to seagoing careers. A path that in- cludes master to able-bodied seaman, crew transfer vessel (CTV) deckhand to wind farm maintenance technician and QMED to chief engineer.

Rotate the NSMVs through our

U.S. ports, position them offshore to attend and observe offshore wind farm construction and use them to conduct near coastal ocean research and aqua- culture. These ships can be our ? rst effort to create change and market our industry to next generations—genera- tions that will use alternative fuels to help solve climate change and under- stand the importance of the world’s oceans and the marine industries that need their involvement.

Pick up your mobile device and worked towarf piquing their interest quickly before these generations de- cide their future only includes a trip to the moon and Mars.

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