U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $2.3 Million for State Maritime Academies

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced that America’s six state maritime academies will receive an additional $2.3 million total from a government program that recycles obsolete vessels.

“With the majority of our goods moved over water, well-trained merchant mariners are critical in supporting our nation’s security and economy,” said Secretary LaHood. “This money will help ensure that the men and women at our academies get the training they need to keep our country’s economy moving forward today and well into the future.”

Funding is being made available from the sale of obsolete vessels from the Maritime Administration’s National Defense Reserve Fleet and budget savings generated by the Maritime Administration.

The Maritime Administration awarded $392,913 each to the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, Calif.; the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Mich.; the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine; the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass.; SUNY Maritime College in Fort Schuyler, N.Y.; and Texas Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas.

“The Maritime Administration continues to focus on the future of our maritime industry by supporting key programs that prepare our next generation of maritime professionals for tomorrow’s challenges.” said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

The nation’s maritime academies train young men and women for service in the American merchant marine, the armed forces and the nation’s intermodal transportation system.

The Maritime Administration promotes a strong U.S. commercial maritime industry through effective training and education of the men and women who are part of it. The Agency supports maritime academies through direct funding and also provides scholarships to a select number of state maritime academy students who commit to a post-graduation service obligation. The Maritime Administration also provides training vessels to all six State maritime academies for use in at-sea training and as shore side laboratories.

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