MARAD: Campus Use of Training Ships Shouldn't Conflict With Gov't Missions

The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) TS Empire State VII will be returning to her berth at SUNY Maritime sooner than expected, thanks to the cancelation of a 170-day national-security deployment. She is coming back in better condition, thanks to thousands of dollars in MARAD-funded repairs and upgrades. But the side effects will take time to work out: The requisition of the vessel caused unexpected disruption for cadet training arrangements, and Maritime Administrator Capt. Stephen Carmel is determined to have activation go more smoothly next time.

At the root, Carmel says, is a conflict over the nature of the vessel's dual mission. Because the five NSMVs are moored and idle for most of the year, and are government-owned, they were designed as assets that would be available for government missions when not out on training cruises. But over the years, the ships' day-to-day role at the maritime academies appears to have expanded, Carmel says. When Empire State got called up for deployment, it became clear that she was in active use for instruction throughout the academic year.

"There has been a drift in the role of the ships and the way the schools are using them," says Carmel. "The ships are not intended to be a substitute for shoreside infrastructure. And as soon as you start using them as a substitute for shoreside infrastructure, you're going to have a problem, which is what we had here."

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →