We are a nation that is surrounded by water. We have a large amount of goods and services, as well as consumer items that are shipped and transported in and around our great nation. Much of this transportation is done on board ships, especially dealing with items that are carried from one coast to the other, or from the Gulf Coast to either the West Coast or East Coast.
There is in addition a lot of shipping that takes place on the Great Lakes, transporting goods to and fro and in business dealings with our neighbor to the north, Canada. Ships of all types are used to transport these goods, and these ships must have trained expert crews to staff them and operate these vessels. One of the ways that people are trained successfully to run these vessels is through the Merchant Marine Education System. The main element of the Merchant Marine Education program is the Academy for Merchant Marine, in New York.
You can receive a four year degree at the same time you are taught how to operate and perform as a crewmember or even as a vessel officer on one of the many ships in the Merchant Marine fleet of the United States. Educational opportunities at the Academy are focused on Marine and shipboard training applications. Courses in Marine engineering, Marine ship management, Vessel Navigation, Marine Transportation, Maritime Logistics and shipboard operations, and Technology and Marine Fleet systems are some of the educational choices taught at Academy.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is located on Kings Point, Long Island NY, and it is the center of education focused on Maritime and Shipping for the nation. It has a purpose to teach and train people as leaders and shipboard officers and crew to serve in the Maritime transportation field.
During a time of national emergency, or in time of war is when the United States Merchant Marine force becomes especially important. Vessels that are operated by the Merchant Marine supply our military efforts overseas. The success of our entire military effort is supported by the valiant and consistent service of the United States Merchant Marine. It is a successful and relied upon part of the sea power and force readiness of the United States of America. The most important element of a strong effective Merchant Marine is the crewmembers and staff of the vessels in the fleet. The purpose of the Merchant Marine Force is to make sure that such officers and staff have the training, skills and knowledge needed to continue to serve as stalwart servants in the ongoing efforts of our country.