Fort Schuyler Magazine Spring 2020

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humanitarian crises and national emergencies. Each NSMV will be designed as a state-of-the-art training and educational platform to effectively train the next generation of merchant mariners. MARAD Administrator RADM Mark Buzby shared his enthusiasm of the projected construction saying, “I am extremely proud to be a part of this endeavor. Working with Congress, my team and the state maritime academies culminates a wonderful experience of building ships for training future mariners while also building capabilities for our fellow countrymen when disaster strikes.” TOTE Services, LLC has a long history of supporting maritime academy training programs and disaster

relief missions in conjunction with MARAD. It was selected by MARAD to be the Vessel Construction Manager for this new class of ships to ensure the utilization of best practices in commercial ship construction. “We are confident in our ability to again work with MARAD on this important initiative,” stated TOTE Services. Herbert Engineering Corp., the naval engineering company responsible for preparing the ship’s design over five years ago, will provide technical oversight during construction and ensure the application of design

specifications. Eugene Van Rynbach, a Maritime College graduate degree student from the Class of 1991 with decades of commercial ship design experience, is Senior Principal at Herbert Engineering. Involved in the design concept and development process since the onset, he will continue to offer design guidance throughout construction. “Taking part in this experience has been a historical achievement for me, Herbert Engineering and the nation,” he stated. Philly Shipyard, Inc. has been commissioned by TOTE to build the first two of a fleet of five ships. Philly Shipyard possesses a state-of- the-art shipbuilding facility and has delivered approximately 50% of all large ocean-going Jones Act commercial ships since 2000. Philly Shipyard President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik remarked, “Philly Shipyard is honored to be selected by TOTE to build these sophisticated vessels. Securing this award is a major milestone in our strategy to reposition the yard for government and commercial projects. We look forward to delivering on our promises.”

This new world-class vessel, constructed at an American shipyard, is part of our much-needed program to replace the aging training vessels currently operated by state maritime academies. U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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