U.S. Senate approves $300 million to build new Maine Maritime Academy training ship
The U.S. Senate has approved its final Appropriations agreement, which includes $300 million for the construction and acquisition of a new training vessel for Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine.
The agreement now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
The $300 million for the new training ship at MMA was included in the FY 2020 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill. In addition, the bill provides $5 million in direct support and tuition assistance for the Maine Maritime Academy, as well as fuel payments for their current training ship, the State of Maine.
“This appropriation demonstrates that Congress believes in the value of our State Maritime Academies and our role in support of economic and national security,” said Dr. William J. Brennan, president of Maine Maritime Academy, in a Dec. 19 news release.
MMA is among several other national maritime academies on the list to get new National Security Multi-Mission Vessels.
“The NSMV will help to sustain world-class, U.S. maritime training operations at the SMA by equipping young American mariners with the most modern and adaptable training platform,” according to a fact sheet of the Maritime Administration, a division of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. “In addition to being an educational platform, this vessel is a highly functional national asset, available to support federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. In this role, as a National Defense Reserve Fleet vessel, the NSMV will be equipped to support major federal relief and response efforts, providing medical capabilities and berthing for up to 1,000 first responders and recovery workers. These vessel's are roll-on/roll- off ramp and crane to facilitate container storage capabilities will enable it to provide critical support equipment and supplies to impacted citizens.”
SPECs
NSMV Statistics
Maneuvering –Docking without tugs
- Bow Thruster –normal maneuvering and azimuthing type for “Take Home” power
- Stern Thruster
- Flap type rudder –improvedAccommodation maneuvering
- Training Ship Mode –600 cadets, 100 officer, faculty, staff & crew
- Surge capacity for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response missions
- Food Storage for 60 days
- Fresh Water Storage for 14 days
- Teaching & Training
- Classrooms
- Workshops for Cadets
- Lab/Training areas for Cadets
- Training Bridge and Navigation Lab
- Large Multi‐Purpose Space
