Posted:
December 20, 2012
The officers and crew members aboard the Ready Reserve Force ship S/S Wright and training ships T.S. Kennedy and T.S. Empire State VI are being honored for their service supporting the relief mission in the New York/New Jersey area in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
On Dec. 15, the Maritime Administration presented the officers and crews of the S/S Wright and the T.S. Kennedy with the U.S. Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of their work in bringing the ships to Staten Island and providing efficient afloat housing for Hurricane Sandy relief workers. An awards ceremony aboard the T.S. Empire State VI - which is on station at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. - was held today.
"For six weeks, relief workers from all over the country, including many who had never been on a ship, stayed aboard," wrote Maritime Administrator David Matsuda on the Department of Transportation's Fast Lane blog. "Galley crews made sure meals were ready starting at 5:30 a.m., so the relief workers could get an early start. And as these workers returned after long days ashore, crews worked to try to provide them at least some comforts, including Internet access and even a few holiday decorations.
"In all, the three MARAD ships provided more than 37,000 bed-nights and 72,000 meals for disaster relief workers from FEMA, the Red Cross, and other relief organizations. Because of this floating dormitory service, relief workers did not take up local hotel space needed for housing displaced families.
"I'm proud of their work," Matsuda wrote. "The professionalism, care, compassion, and outstanding support exhibited by these mariners to thousands of emergency responders bring great honor and distinction to the U.S. merchant marine. Mariners are no strangers to being away from home and their families during holidays, and they told me in no uncertain terms that they would stay on the job for as long as they are needed."
The T.S. Kennedy is the training ship of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The T.S. Empire State VI is the training ship of the State University of New York Maritime College. Both training ships are being operated under General Service Agreements with the Maritime Administration. TOTE Services, Inc. is operating the Empire State VI and General Dynamics-American Overseas Marine is operating the Kennedy. AMO members are working aboard both ships in licensed positions.
The Wright, based in Maryland, is operated by Crowley Liner Services and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.
Officers, crews of S/S Wright, T.S. Kennedy, T.S. Empire State VI recognized for service in Hurricane Sandy recovery
The officers and crew members aboard the Ready Reserve Force ship S/S Wright and training ships T.S. Kennedy and T.S. Empire State VI are being honored for their service supporting the relief mission in the New York/New Jersey area in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
On Dec. 15, the Maritime Administration presented the officers and crews of the S/S Wright and the T.S. Kennedy with the U.S. Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of their work in bringing the ships to Staten Island and providing efficient afloat housing for Hurricane Sandy relief workers. An awards ceremony aboard the T.S. Empire State VI - which is on station at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. - was held today.
"For six weeks, relief workers from all over the country, including many who had never been on a ship, stayed aboard," wrote Maritime Administrator David Matsuda on the Department of Transportation's Fast Lane blog. "Galley crews made sure meals were ready starting at 5:30 a.m., so the relief workers could get an early start. And as these workers returned after long days ashore, crews worked to try to provide them at least some comforts, including Internet access and even a few holiday decorations.
"In all, the three MARAD ships provided more than 37,000 bed-nights and 72,000 meals for disaster relief workers from FEMA, the Red Cross, and other relief organizations. Because of this floating dormitory service, relief workers did not take up local hotel space needed for housing displaced families.
"I'm proud of their work," Matsuda wrote. "The professionalism, care, compassion, and outstanding support exhibited by these mariners to thousands of emergency responders bring great honor and distinction to the U.S. merchant marine. Mariners are no strangers to being away from home and their families during holidays, and they told me in no uncertain terms that they would stay on the job for as long as they are needed."
The T.S. Kennedy is the training ship of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The T.S. Empire State VI is the training ship of the State University of New York Maritime College. Both training ships are being operated under General Service Agreements with the Maritime Administration. TOTE Services, Inc. is operating the Empire State VI and General Dynamics-American Overseas Marine is operating the Kennedy. AMO members are working aboard both ships in licensed positions.
The Wright, based in Maryland, is operated by Crowley Liner Services and is manned in all licensed positions by AMO.