Maritime history of the United States (2000–)

This article is part of the U.S. Maritime History series. Maritime history of Colonial America 1776–1799 1800–1899 1900–1999 2000-

The maritime history of the United States (2000–) delineates the continued readiness of the American merchant marine.

Modern developments

On October 22, 2001, the Merchant Marine Act of 2001 was enacted, providing for the construction of 300 ships in the Ready Reserve Force over a span of ten years.^[1]

In 2003, 40 RRF ships were used in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This RRF contribution was significant and included sea-lifting equipment and supplies into the theatre of combat operations, which included combat support equipment for the Army, Navy Combat Logistics Force, and USMC Aviation Support equipment. By the beginning of May 2005, RRF cumulative support included 85 ship activations that logged almost 12,000 ship operating days, moving almost 25% of the equipment needed to support the U.S. Armed Forces liberation of Iraq.^[2]

MSC is also involved in the current Iraq War, having delivered 61 million square feet (5.7 km²) of cargo and 1.1 billion US gallons (4,200,000 m³) of fuel by the end of the first year alone. Merchant mariners are being recognized for their contributions in Iraq. For example, in late 2003, Vice Adm. David Brewer III, commander of Military Sealift Command, awarded the officers and crew members of MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal.^[3]

On January 8, 2007, Tom Bethel was appointed by the AMO national executive committee to fulfil the term of former president Michael McKay.^[4] Bethel had formerly served as AMO's national executive vice president. McKay had been convicted of "three counts of mail fraud and two record-keeping offenses. He was found not guilty of embezzling from an employee benefit plan.".^[5]

McKay's brother, former AMO National Secretary-Treasurer Robert McKay was convicted of two counts of mail fraud, embezzlement, and two record-keeping offenses.^[5] The father served as AMO president for 36 years.^[5]

The RRF was called upon to provide humanitarian assistance to gulf coast areas following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita landfalls in September 2006. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requested a total of eight vessels to support relief efforts. Messing and berthing was provided for refinery workers, oils spill response teams, longshoremen. One of the vessels provided electrical power.^[2]

Notes

1. ^ Merchant Marine Act of 2001 from The Encyclopedia of World History Sixth Edition, Peter N. Stearns (general editor), © 2001 The Houghton Mifflin Company, at Bartleby.com.
2. ^ ^{a b} "The National Defense Reserve Fleet". United States Maritime Administration. http://www.marad.dot.gov/Ship%20Disposal/PRESS_NDRF_RRF_4qtr05.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
3. ^ "AMO members serve in military operations, exercises". American Maritime Officer magazine. http://www.amo-union.org/newspaper/Morgue/9-2003/Sections/News/medal.htm. Retrieved March 7, 2007. 
4. ^ "Bethel pledges to work with membership and new officials to "right the AMO ship"". American Maritime Officer. http://www.amo-union.org/Newspaper/Morgue/1-2007/sections/1-07.pdf. Retrieved March 17, 2007. 
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Jury finds two union officials guilty". Sun-Sentinel.com. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-cunion06jan06,0,1576614.story. Retrieved March 17, 2007. ^{[dead link]}

See also

Nautical portal

• Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine
• History of navigation
• Honourable Company of Master Mariners London
• Jones Act
• Liberty ship
• United States Merchant Marine
• Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Badge
• United States Maritime Service
• United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Slave ship and History of slavery in the United States

• Sea History at the National Maritime Historical Society
• American Merchant Marine at War
• United States Merchant Marine in history
• Casualty statistics World War II
• Recipients of Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal
• Seafarers International Union - War's Forgotten Heroes (Article)
• Heave Ho — The United States Merchant Marine Anthem (lyrics only)
• Fairplay The International Shipping Weekly
• The Nautical Institute
• A Maritime Tracking System: Cornerstone of Maritime Homeland Defense

References

• Gibson, E. Kay (2006). Brutality on Trial: Hellfire Pedersen, Fighting Hansen, And the Seaman's Act of 1915. University Press of Florida: University Press of Florida. pp. 225. ISBN 0813029910 .
• Herbert, Brian. "review of The Forgotten Heroes: The Heroic Story of the United States Merchant Marine". http://www.historynet.com/reviews/world_war_2/3035246.html. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
• Pro, Joanna (2004-05-30). "Unsung Heroes of World War II: Seamen of the Merchant Marine still struggle for recognition". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04151/322861.stm. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
• "The Merchant Marines in the Korean War". United States Army. http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/merchant_marines.shtml. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
• Thomas, Guy. "A Maritime Traffic-Tracking System: Cornerstone of Maritime Homeland Defense". Naval War College Regiew. http://www.nwc.navy.mil/press/Review/2003/Autumn/rd1-a03.htm. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 
• Thomas, Michelle. "Lost at Sea and Lost at Home: The Predicament of Seafaring Families". Seafarers International Research Centre. Cardiff University. http://www.sirc.cf.ac.uk/pdf/Lost%20at%20Sea.pdf. Retrieved 2007-04-01. 

Legislation

• HR23 Bill Merchant Marine veteran benefits
• Merchant Seamen's War Service Acts of 1945 and 1947 including 1945 and 1947 Bill of Rights