AMO Currents - National Maritime Day ceremonies honor American merchant mariners

AMO Currents - Posted: May 18, 2010

National Maritime Day ceremonies honor American merchant mariners

During ceremonies commemorating the 78th annual National Maritime Day, officials from the Maritime Administration, U.S. Navy and Congress recognized the long and proud history of the U.S. merchant marine and honored mariners who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

National Maritime Day is observed under presidential proclamation each year on May 22. Ceremonies are held marking the occasion upon which American merchant mariners are recognized for their service to and sacrifice for the nation's commerce, national defense and security. The observance of National Maritime Day was conducted today in Washington, D.C.

During the morning presentations, American Maritime Officers members Capt. Ben Tidwell, master of the S/S Cape May, and Capt. Todd Cooper, master of the S/S Cornhusker State, received U.S. Merchant Marine Medals of Outstanding Achievement for their work during the recent earthquake relief mission in Haiti.

"We at Military Sealift Command are proud of our civilian mariners," said Military Sealift Command Commander Rear Adm. Mark Buzby. He highlighted the importance of merchant mariners and the American commercial maritime industry to national security, adding that 90 percent of defense cargoes in support of war fighting efforts are transported by sea.

Rear Adm. Buzby and Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. John Harvey Jr. laid a wreath for merchant mariners who have lost their lives at sea. Adm. Harvey recognized the massive casualties incurred by merchant mariners in World War II and the ongoing dedication of contract civilian and civil service mariners in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda commended the U.S. merchant marine for its service to the nation. He remarked upon recent operations in Haiti as examples of the superior ability and tenacity of civilian mariners. The U.S. commercial maritime industry "literally anchors our national defense readiness," he said.

Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS) thanked U.S. merchant mariners for their service. He endorsed a stronger interpretation and more stringent enforcement of the Jones Act, which reserves many domestic maritime activities for vessels built, owned and registered in the U.S. and crewed by American merchant mariners.