U.S. Merchant Marine: Maritime Administration Should Assess Potential Mariner-Training Needs
Abstract
The U.S. merchant marine- the nations domestic and oceangoing commercial ships and mariners- supports both U.S. commerce and national defense. MARAD, an agency within the Department of Transportation, is responsible for fostering, promoting, and developing the maritime industry; providing for the education and training of U.S. mariners; and studying all problems related to merchant-marine commerce and national-defense policies. Proper education and training of mariners is important to the success of the merchant marine. The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012 mandated that GAO review mariner training. This report examines (1) the availability of maritime training, (2) the availability of financial assistance for maritime training, and (3) MARAD's actions to ensure mariners meet commerce and defense needs and industry stakeholder views on those actions. GAO analyzed documents and interviewed officials from MARAD, the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, maritime-training providers, unions, and companies. GAO recommends that MARAD study and identify potential problems in ensuring that U.S. mariners are adequately trained to meet the needs of the entire maritime industry. The Department of Transportation did not agree or disagree with the recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- AD1178944
Entities
People
- Amy Abramowitz
- Colin Fallon
- Edward Laughlin
- Elizabeth Wood
- Emily Upstill
- Geoffrey Hamilton
- Jessica Bryant-bertail
- Jose Cardenas
- Josh Ormond
- Lorelei St. James
- Sam Hinojosa
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office