Fort Schuyler Magazine Spring 2021

FABRICATING THE FIRST National Security Multi-Mission Vessel

A fter years of conceptualizing, Washington, D.C., December 15, 2020 marked a historic day for Maritime College. The long- awaited steel cutting ceremony finally arrived and fabrication of the very first National Security Multi- mission Vessel (NSMV) is underway heralding a new class of training ships designed to serve a dual purpose: supporting merchant mariner education and assisting with humanitarian/ disaster relief. Fifteen years earlier, Maritime College had only begun requesting formal discussions with MARAD to replace its aging Training Ship Empire State VI. Now, for the first time in history, the first of a fleet of six purpose-built training ships, is officially under construction at Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, PA. Maritime College will acquire the first vessel and the other NSMVs will be designated to each of the State Maritime Academies (SMA) over time. The steel-cutting milestone represents another step towards making the vision of replacing the Empire State VI a reality. The historic achievement was made possible with the help of alumni, maritime industry partners, elected officials and other stakeholders who discussing, collaborating, planning, letter writing, meeting, advocating and testifying before Congress in

supported the efforts of RADM Michael Alfultis as he traveled to Washington, D.C. on multiple occasions to speak with members of Congress. At Capitol Hill, RADM Alfultis met with congressional members from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. On occasion, students from the Regiment of Cadets accompanied him on these visits. As construction of the first NSMV continues, Maritime College awaits the laying of the ship’s keel in 2022 and delivery of the vessel in 2023. Arrival of the much-anticipated state-of-art ship will greatly impact the College and future generations of mariners. The following pages feature a historical perspective of the NSMV through a comprehensive timeline that highlights key dates, partnerships and other pertinent information, all of which led to the fabrication of the nation’s first NSMV, the new training ship assigned to Maritime College. A video commemorating the NSMV fabrication is available on: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xs95cbQE3yQ

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