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STANDING DOWN

In a previous Post we discussed the decline of the United States Merchant Marine (USMM) now it appears the situation is so bad that basic shipboard discipline cannot be enforced.  Is this due to the Masters and Officers incompetence, the power of the Maritime Unions to overrule them or a combination of both.  From what NAUTICAL LOG has seen and heard it appears to be a combination of both.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) has announced that it is "standing down" Sea Year.  This is when the Seniors go to sea in USMM vessels to experience directly what life at sea is all about - well the United States Maritime Union controlled version anyway, rather different from other Nations Merchant Navies as NAUTICAL LOG well knows from 50 years as a seafarer.

The concern is that the USMMA cannot guarantee the safety on board USMM vessels of the Midshippersons as we suppose one must now call the USMMA trainees.  One gets the impression that sexual assault is rampant on the campusi of United States Universities including USMMA and this in turn is carried on to USMM vessels. 

The mind boggles frankly at all this.  For this decision to have been made by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) there must be a clear basis for concern.  Truly these United States are  rapidly descending into a cesspool if they have not already done so.

Good Watch -  if one sails in the USMM y'all will need it.

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