The Patriot State was christened on Sept. 9 and will be delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy as its new cadet training ship.
American Maritime Officers members will work aboard the first three National Security Multi-Mission vessels (NSMVs) when activated for a national defense, emergency relief or natural disaster mission by the U.S. Maritime Administration. While each maritime academy will be responsible for staffing the vessels during normal operations, AMO members will be used for cadet training cruises if needed.
On September 9, TOTE Services, LLC and Philly Shipyard christened the second of five National Security Multi-Mission vessels (NSMVs), Patriot State, with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of the Navy, and other key officials on hand to celebrate this milestone for U.S. maritime.
The NSMV program marks a new era in vessel construction in the United States. These next generation ships are the result of a strategic public-private partnership that leverages the design, construction and management of the private sector with the dynamic needs of the US government. The use of TOTE Services as the vessel construction manager provides financial and schedule stability and, in the case of the NSMV program, will result in delivery of all five vessels within six years of the contract award.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro both attended the christening – a reflection of the importance of this program to country at large.
“America is a proud maritime nation, a global power largely because of our relationship with the seas,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today, as the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates the new vessel NSMV II Patriot State, we mark a new moment in our seafaring history, including the jobs and opportunities this program has created for the skilled workers of the Philly Shipyard.”
Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services noted “The Patriot State is the second of the five NSMVs constructed at Philly Shipyard under TOTE Services’ oversight and management. These vessels not only represent a critical US investment in the future of our maritime industry but exemplify what is possible when we leverage the right expertise and resources to the benefit of our country and the next generation. Serving as the vessel construction manager for these ships is a reflection of TOTE Services’ 49-year history as a leader in the American maritime industry.”
“The Patriot State is the 32nd vessel built with a Philly Shipyard birth certificate,” remarked Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEO, during the naming ceremony today. “On behalf of our entire workforce, we are honored to provide MARAD with a safe and quality vessel to carry the Massachusetts Maritime flag for generations to come.”
“The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Patriot State represents a significant leap forward in maritime training and disaster response capabilities. This vessel will not only equip our cadets with the hands-on experience necessary to become the next generation of skilled mariners, it also stands ready to serve our nation in times of crisis, providing critical support in disaster relief operations,” noted Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Following the christening ceremony, the vessel will be delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the coming weeks.
About the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training platform for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California, respectively.
This next-generation training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercial owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.
The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea. State maritime academies graduate more than half of all new officers each year – the merchant mariners who help keep cargoes and our economy moving. Many also support U.S. national security by crewing government sealift vessels.
In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions.
About TOTE Services
TOTE Services, LLC (“TOTE Services”) is a leading U.S.-based company that provides ship management, vessel construction management and technical consulting services to governmental and commercial parties. Since 2015, TOTE Services has been a first-mover in clean alternative fuels, having overseen the construction and management of the nation’s first LNG-powered container ships and the first LNG bunker barge. TOTE Services, along with TOTE Maritime Alaska, LLC and TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, LLC, are part of the TOTE Group. TOTE Group is a member of the Saltchuk family of companies.
For more information about TOTE Services, please visit www.toteservices.com.
About Philly Shipyard
Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI) is a leading U.S. shipbuilder that is presently pursuing a mix of commercial and government work. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as a preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships, having delivered around 50% of all large ocean-going Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. PSI is the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. Philly Shipyard ASA is listed on the Euronext Expand Oslo (Oslo: PHLY) and is majority-owned by Aker Capital AS, which in turn is wholly-owned by Aker ASA (Aker). Aker is an industrial investment company that exercises active ownership to create value. Aker has ownership interests in oil and gas, renewable energy and green technologies, maritime assets, marine biotechnology, and industrial software, and its portfolio includes companies like Aker BP, Aker Horizons, Aker BioMarine, Cognite, and Aker Solutions.
For more information about Philly Shipyard, please visit www.phillyshipyard.com.
Crews of the USNS Stockham and USNS Lopez gather for a “Welcome Home” photo when they arrived in Jacksonville in August.
In late August, the crews of the USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham, USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez and M/V Roy P. Benavidez returned home more than four months after deploying to the Gaza region to participate in a mission to deliver critical humanitarian aid to the conflict-ravaged area.
The ships successfully served in a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operation dubbed Operation Neptune Solace, transporting components for a floating pier. Due to the diligent efforts of the crews in daunting circumstances, more than 20 million pounds of desperately needed supplies were delivered over the floating pier to residents in the region.
American Maritime Officers represents all licensed officers on each vessel.
The crew of each vessel received a Bravo Zulu from Rear Admiral Philip Sobeck, Commander of Military Sealift Command, welcoming them home and thanking them for their unwavering service to the nation and the people of the Gaza region.
“Your efforts demonstrated impressive adaptability and were instrumental in facilitating and transferring humanitarian assistance into Gaza,” Rear Adm. Sobeck wrote. “Your crew did an outstanding job responding to a global crisis and prevailed in a dangerous and unpredictable area of the world. You return to a grateful nation. As you arrive home from your deployment, please accept my deepest thanks and appreciation for your continued service as you enjoy well-deserved time with family and friends.”
In total, the crew of each vessel spent between 112 and 120 days on mission thousands of miles away from home. In addition to performing the JLOTS mission, the ships housed military personnel and served as a staging area for military equipment and supplies. The USNS Stockham and USNS Lopez, operated by Crowley Government Services for MSC, returned to Jacksonville, Fla. on August 21 and 22 and were greeted by American Maritime Officers National President Willie Barrere.
The Benavidez, operated by Ocean Duchess, was first to arrive in Gaza and returned to Norfolk, Va. on August 29.
“Our AMO officers proved once again that, even in a hazardous and contested environment, the United States Merchant Marine will deliver the cargo,” Barrere said. “I’m proud of our officers who completed their mission in the face of dangerous conditions and honorably assisted a people in deep crisis. This proves, once again, no matter the circumstance, we will deliver the goods.”
Captains Paul Ginnane (USNS Stockham) and Pete Clark (USNS Lopez) received commendations from MSC and Crowley for their efforts during the humanitarian mission to Gaza.
The USNS Stockham and USNS Lopez arrived back in Jacksonville, Fla. in August after more than four months away on a mission to Gaza.
Amazing footage of American Maritime Officers members on the M/V Shenandoah Trader discussing how it feels to perform CONSOL operations for Military Sealift Command can be viewed on the AMO YouToube channel.
The minutes for the regular monthly American Maritime Officers membership meeting held August 7 at AMO Headquarters have been posted in the secure section of the AMO website, which is accessible to active AMO members and applicants.
AMO members will need to click on the “MEMBER LOGIN” tab on the AMO website (LOGIN on mobile devices) and log into the member portal of the AMO website. Members and applicants using the updated AMO website for the first time will need to register a new account for the member portal, a link for which is featured on the MEMBER LOGIN page.
The following is an article published by the American Maritime Partnership featuring Jones Act vessels manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers.
Tropical Storm Ernesto hit Puerto Rico earlier this August, bringing 60-mph winds and heavy rain. Despite the impact, American Maritime carriers like Crowley and TOTE Maritime maintained the vital supply chain between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, ensuring no service delays.
Crowley swiftly reopened service through careful preparation and safety measures. The company’s hurricane plan secured facilities and pre-positioned vessels, enabling a quick response. Crowley’s fleet, including two LNG-fueled container ships and the Isla Grande Terminal, part of a $500 million investment in supporting the Island’s supply chain, was ready for post-storm operations.
Crowley also supported its 300 Puerto Rican employees with safety guidance and essential supplies, enabling them to resume terminal operations as soon as conditions allowed.
The Jones Act plays a key role in enabling reliable deliveries to and from Puerto Rico during crises like tropical storms and hurricanes. The act, which mandates that goods shipped between U.S. ports be carried on vessels that are U.S.-flagged, U.S.-built and crewed by U.S. citizens, ensures that the island’s maritime connections remain robust and responsive.
Thanks to the Jones Act, Puerto Rico benefits from dedicated, resilient services that are crucial during emergencies – unlike foreign carriers, which can be days late. American maritime carriers have substantial operations on the mainland to ensure this dedicated service. In particular, Florida stands out as a maritime bridge for the Island.
David Wood, president of the Florida Maritime Partnership, highlighted the importance of American maritime companies in ensuring cargo is ready for quick delivery during storms in MarineLog. He noted that the Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT), which handles nearly 90% of Puerto Rico’s maritime cargo, plays a vital role in this effort.
“Three ocean carriers serve the island from Jacksonville, providing competitive, dedicated service for people and businesses on Puerto Rico, especially during hurricane season,” Wood wrote. “They carry food, supplies, vehicles, and industrial equipment, ensuring the island’s needs are met.”
By the time San Juan Harbor reopened for vessels on Aug. 15, Crowley’s Isla Grande Terminal had resumed normal hours and the 2,400-TEU container ship Taíno was ready to discharge supplies as scheduled.
“This was a team effort at Crowley because we understand how important and reliable the U.S. domestic maritime industry is for the people of Puerto Rico,” said Jose Nazario, senior director of operations for Crowley Logistics in Puerto Rico. “Our hurricane planning is done in collaboration with leaders on the island, federal agencies and ports to ensure we are resilient and responsive in an emergency. The dedication of our employees is something we bring every day on the island because it’s our home, too.”
American Maritime’s preparedness and quick action in the wake of Tropical Storm Ernesto underscored the domestic industry’s critical role in providing unmatched service for Puerto Rico, particularly during hurricane season.
American Maritime Officers members aboard the El Coquí, here in Jacksonville, Fla. in August, included Chief Engineer Eric Blanchard, Captain Nick St. Jean and First Engineer Frank Luke. The liquefied natural gas-fueled Jones Act vessel was loading much needed goods and supplies headed for Puerto Rico and the ship was one of the first to respond to the island after Tropical Storm Ernesto hit in early August.
Second Mate Mike Panettieri lowers the stern ramp to load cargo on the El Coquí as the crew prepares for its voyage to Puerto Rico.
Second Engineer Vladimir Daviddochkin is greeted by AMO National President Willie Barrere during a ship visit in Jacksonville.
Captain Nick St. Jean and Chief Mate Jaime Torres oversee loading operations at JAXPORT before departing for Puerto Rico.
The Limiter Lifestyle mega-truck, driven by Dallas Johnson, prepares to get dirty before a mud race in August.
Seeing the American Maritime Officers logo on the Great Lakes is a common sight for mariners and area residents. But viewing it soaring 50 feet in the air on a monster truck has become a more recent phenomenon.
Enter Dallas Johnson, a mega-truck rally driver, YouTube sensation and fan of all things AMO.
The 27-year-old Grayling, Michigan resident drives the Limiter Lifestyle mega truck and in recent events has displayed a gigantic AMO sticker on both sides of the vehicle, a tribute to many of his friends who belong to the officers’ union and work in and around the Great Lakes. He has several AMO friends who live in his area and thought their career and lifestyle was fantastic. Johnson decided it would be cool to give a shout out to his AMO friends as he competes nationally and believes carrying the logo will help create more awareness and support for the maritime industry, a vital part of the economy on the Great Lakes.
The Limiter Lifestyle videos on YouTube have more than 700,000 views. Videos of the mega-truck can also be viewed on the AMO YouTube page.
And, the AMO logo has been a bit of a good luck charm for the driver.
Since putting the sticker on his truck, Johnson has won the “Hill and Hole” mega-truck mud race and the Freestyle event at the 2024 Michigan Mudjam in August, a premiere rally event on the circuit. During the freestyle event, Johnson launched his truck off a ramp, soared 55 feet in the air, and crashed epically doing a nosedive and a somersault, which sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy. Johnson, of course, walked away unscathed, but the moment was a highlight of the weekend event.
Dallas’s YouTube channel, Limiter Lifestyle, is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build and keep a mega-truck running. The channel features the events he enters and highlights the aftermath of death-defying jumps and crashes, what it takes to fix the mega-truck and what lessons he learns with each competition.
Johnson said he will continue to display the AMO logo in upcoming events. He is also hosting a mini-bike race on his property for AMO members on October 28. For more information, please contact AMO Great Lakes representative Pete Kinsey at .
You can see videos of Dallas Johnson and the Limiter Lifestyle truck on his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@LimiterLifestyle.
The Limiter Lifestyle mega-truck on the track representing AMO before taking to the skies in a freestyle competition.
Driver and AMO enthusiast Dallas Johnson celebrates first place wins in mega-truck racing and a freestyle competition at a meet in August.
The following was issued by the National Maritime Center on August 28.
Exemption from Fees Associated with Merchant Mariner Credential Applications for Active Duty and Selected Reserve Members of the Uniformed Services
On August 6, 2024, the Coast Guard published a final rule titled Exemption for Active-Duty Uniformed Service Members from Merchant Mariner Credentialing Fees. The rule provides for an exemption from the fees associated with an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) for active duty and selected reserve members of the uniformed services (FR 63830 USCG-2021-0288).
The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing (CG-MMC) Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P) has published CG-MMC Policy Letter 03-24, Exemption from Fees Associated with Merchant Mariner Credential Applications for Active Duty and Selected Reserve Members of the Uniformed Services. This policy letter implements and provides guidance on the final rule, including expanding the ways in which mariners may document their eligibility for an exemption from MMC fees.
The Final Rule and the policy letter are effective on November 4, 2024, at which time CG-MMC Policy Letter 02-20, which provides for a waiver of fees associated with applications for an MMC, is cancelled.
This policy letter is available at Merchant Mariner Credentialing Policy Letter web page.
Mariners and other interested parties should contact the Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division at or (202) 372-2357 with any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Mayte Medina
Chief, Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing
The crew of the Stena Polaris completed a near 100-day mission refueling Military Sealift Command vessels while underway. See how they did it on the AMO Youtube page.
The crew of the Stena Polaris successfully completed 18 underway refueling operations during a 90 day span.
The M/V Stena Polaris, an Ice Class Tanker operated by Crowley Government Services on a five-year contract to Military Sealift Command, recently completed a 145-day mission as a consolidated cargo operations (CONSOL) tanker supplying underway fueling with other MSC vessels. This mission included 96 days supplying needed diesel and jet fuel to ships engaged in keeping the sea lanes safe and open to shipping.
In the beginning of February, the Stena Polaris, which is part of the newly formed Tanker Security Program, was asked if it could support the mission and be prepared to be on station within three weeks. The vessel normally manned by up to 29 crew had to be modified to handle upwards of a total of 44 crew and support personnel. To complete this task, additional berthing space and lifesaving equipment had to be created and approved by the United States Coast Guard.
The Stena Polaris also had to load cargo at two separate ports and was delayed in the first load port by almost a week due to extremely high winds. This was followed by racing across the Mediterranean Sea to make the timeline. Logistics included supplying the ship with 90-120 days of provisions and stores at a third port, embarking all required support personnel and completing last-minute crew changes. Despite all the delays, setbacks, obstacles the vessel made our transit check-in time only 20 minutes late. All things considered this was a massive logistical accomplishment that could not have been completed without the entire ship’s crew giving it 110 percent effort.
The Stena Polaris completed a total of six transits through the Suez Canal and completed 18 CONSOL operations without incident over the period of 95 days, delivering a total of approximately 25 million gallons of clean product. The crew conducted multiple back-to-back evolutions involving three different types of MSC vessels while rapidly changing products from both stations with minimal down time while alongside.
On top of delivering the fuel without incident, accidents, or any down time the Stena Polaris also completed its annual COI inspection and a SIRE inspection for its upcoming ice mission.
Bravo Zulu to all who helped support our good ship to allow this to happen. Special mention should be given to our four-member Steward Department who did a phenomenal job of providing a wide variety of great healthy meals over the course of this evolution.
Captain Carl Schoenbucher
Master, MV Stena Polaris
American Maritime Officers members aboard the Stena Polaris in August included (standing) Second Assistant Engineer Mike Ventresca, First A.E. Sean Hall, Second Mates Asfaw Surafel and Kenny Rosol, Chief Mate Joe Mainella, and Third Mates Tristan Woolf and Russel Combs. (Kneeling) Chief Engineer Kyle Mathews, Captain Carl Schoenbucher and Chief Engineer Dan Petrocelli. Additional officers that were not pictured but were onboard were Chief Mate Leroid “Junior” Jones, Second Mate Robert Brice, Third Mate Kirsten Snyder and Chief Engineer Brandon Schreck.
The Stena Polaris conducted conducted CONSOL operations with three different class of MSC vessels on multiple types of fuels without incident or lost time.
Captain Carl Schoenbucher oversees CONSOL operations from the observation deck of the Stena Polaris during an underway replenishment.