Page 20: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Nov/Dec 2017)

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MARAD n hour with the new U.S. Maritime Administrator, Rear

Adm. Mark H. Buzby, USN, Ret., is as informative as it

Ais refreshing. Sworn in on August 8, 2017, Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2013 with over 34 years of service. A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Mer- chant Marine Academy, Buzby earned his Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science and U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate License.

He was commissioned in the US Navy in June 1979, is a gradu- ate of the Joint Forces Staff College and holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and Salve Regina University in

Strategic Studies and International Relations respectively.

When it comes to the maritime industry, there isn’t too much Buzby hasn’t done on the water, ashore and everywhere in between. Arguably, Buzby brings to the Marad c-suite one of the deepest and most relevant experience skill sets of any- one who has flled that role in recent memory. For example, his leadership at National Defense Transportation Association closely parallels his mission focus at Marad, and his Military

Sealift Command experience complements his efforts to en- sure that the nation maintains a robust sealift capacity – in times of peace and war. Finally, the USMMA graduate has promised to right the ship at his alma mater, while also bring- ing a keen understanding of both naval and merchant marine operating procedures to an offce that must cater to both.

As Buzby settles into his chair at the U.S. Maritime Ad- ministration, a raft of issues await his attention. And if one of his predecessors once labeled Marad as “America’s Maritime

Cheerleaders,” Buzby made it immediately clear that it won’t be business as usual. He intends to do more than advocate. and at Kings Point, needed repairs to a tattered reputation that

That won’t be easy, especially given the paltry budget he oper- started with a less than satisfactory accreditation audit.

ates with. That said; an hour sitting across the desk from him at Buzby, a Kings Point graduate, says that we need all of

DOT headquarters made it clear that if anyone can accomplish them to thrive. “We absolutely do. We need them coming out something of substance for the collective domestic waterfront, of Kings Point and we need them coming out of the other six then he, guiding an enthusiastic team, will be the one to do it. schools,” he said, adding quickly “This adds a level of concern

Buzby last month weighed in on a half dozen issues, show- and crisis to the whole school ship issue, because if we lose the ing surprising depth in all phases of his missions, just a few school ship, that’s a big chunk of people that I lose. It’s all con- short weeks after arriving at Marad. His approach in address- nected. And that’s the biggest challenge that I see coming is try- ing the most pressing matters of the day is both pragmatic and ing to put light on all of the linkages that exist in this industry.” honest, and you get the feeling he means exactly what he says. Buzby points to the sealift mission in support of TransCom as the ultimate mission, which leads us back to the academies

Manning Crisis Looming and the school ships, who exist in part to ensure that the nation

Perhaps the most interesting, if not surprising messages has enough of a pool to call upon them in war time to execute coming out of Marad today is the urgent need to solve what that mission. And, he warns, that tinkering with one part or

Buzby characterizes as the coming manning crisis. With re- another of the domestic waterfront, is a mistake. “That link- cord numbers of unlimited tonnage licenses now in play, it is age, where the Jones Act fts in, and where cargo preference seemingly easy to dismiss those worries. But, Buzby says that fts in, or the MSP fts in, they are all part of this ecosystem would be a mistake. And, the frst place to address those wor- that has to exist. People are very happy just to pluck pieces ries are at the six state maritime academies (SMA) and at the out, not realizing it’s going to collapse the whole thing. It’s a

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. The federal very tenuous construction we have right now.” and state schools have their own unique issues to deal with; Turning back to the manning crisis, one of Buzby’s most the critical need to replace aging training ships at the SMA’s pressing issues involves the replacement of the training ships 20 Maritime Logistics Professional November/December 2017 | |