Building merchant marine workforce

The U.S. Maritime Administration’s Military to Mariner program got a boost from the White House when President Trump signed an executive order to help seagoing military veterans transition to civilian life and work as a merchant marine. The March 4 order would waive government-issued licensing fees and allow military sea experience count toward merchant marine credentialing. Trump said the order boosts a sagging merchant marine workforce and provides high-paying job opportunities to veterans. The order gives the Defense and Homeland Security departments a year to identify all military training and experience that may qualify for merchant marine credentials. It also calls for the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center to waive all fees related to license evaluation, issuance and examination for active duty service members who qualify, as well as fees to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential card (TWIC). Licensing and credentialing fees could cost as much as $25,000. The inland industry has benefited from access to this broadened labor pool, according to Austin Golding, president of Golding Barge Line of Vicksburg, Miss, and veterans have “found our industry as a great second career option,” he said at a Senate hearing. (Source: Marine Link 04/03/19)