Mass. Maritime Renews Offshore Wind Training Partnership with RelyOn Nutec
. “Their facilities and commitment to quality are top tier, and their training strongly complements our organization. We are very proud of our relationship with the Academy.”“We were delighted to have Jenni Lewis join us on campus and tour our facilities,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “And we are equally delighted and grateful that our partnership with RelyOn Nutec has been renewed. We look forward to our continued work together in delivering the highest quality safety training in the offshore
John Okon Named SUNY Maritime President
Rear Admiral John Okon has been named as the next president of SUNY Maritime College, a public maritime college in the Bronx, New York City.Okon, a retired U.S. Navy officer with more than 33 years of naval service, will succeed Rear Admiral Dr. Michael A. Alfultis, who will retire on July 1 after 10 years at the helm. Okon will become SUNY Maritime's 12th campus president."As a SUNY Maritime alumnus, Rear Admiral Okon, ’91, has a great perspective on the student experience and how we can move forward to encourage and support more students to pursue careers in the maritime industry
Help Wanted: US Maritime Industry Struggles to Fill Key Gaps
has not improved; in fact, it has only gotten worse.“Globally standardized credentialing requirements have had an impact on the U.S. Merchant Marine. And of course, the maritime industry—like many other industries—has also been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, Maritime Administrator, said during a House committee hearing in May 2023. “Both of these developments have negatively impacted mariner retention.”In a recent interview for Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Commander of U.S. Military
OSG Pledges $90,000 to Mass. Maritime Academy Foundation
seeking opportunities to enter an industry that offers a non-traditional workplace and opportunity for growth.“We are grateful for the generosity of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. in their commitment to establishing an OSG Scholarship Program at Massachusetts Maritime Academy,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are focused on creating more access for women and people in regions who may not be aware of the opportunities offered by a career in the maritime industry. The OSG Scholarship Program will help us advance this goal
Birdon Adds Two to its US Board
, a defense contractor specializing in maritime solutions, announced it has expanded its U.S. Board of Outside Directors through the recent election of two members with extensive backgrounds with U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard shipbuilding and ship repair. Kevin Mooney and Ronald Rábago, (Rear Admiral, USCG-Ret.) have agreed to serve as Chairperson and Member, respectively.“Kevin and Ron will provide invaluable insight and guidance to our management team as Birdon continues to grow and deliver major programs to its customers,” said Birdon CEO and owner, Jamie Bruce. “We&rsquo
Jamaica and Canada Sign Reciprocal Seafarer Recognition Agreement
Jamaica and Canada have signed a Reciprocal Recognition Agreement to enable seafarers from the two countries to work on ships sailing under the Jamaican or Canadian flags.The agreement was signed by Joanna Manger, Director General, Marine Safety & Security at Transport Canada, and Rear Admiral (retd) Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.Brady commented: “This is a milestone for both our countries’ seafarers and indeed our respective maritime and transport administrations. Utilising the facility of the STCW Convention we are able to allow our professional
US Naval Construction Group 2 Welcomes Its First Woman Commander
Zumwalt, Jr.’s issuance of Z-gram 116 which authorized limited entry of women into all enlisted ratings.Rear Adm. (ret.) Katherine Gregory was the first woman to command a battalion when she assumed command of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in 1999. Gregory later rose to the rank of rear admiral before she retired as Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the chief of civil engineers in 2015
Mass. Maritime Academy Offering Offshore Wind Training to Locals
local workforce in offshore wind, which will serve as an important piece of economic development for our Island community, while also working towards the Commonwealth’s clean energy objectives.”“We are delighted to offer this exciting course to members of the community,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “As offshore wind power continues to develop as a leader in the renewable energy sector, our GWO BTT course will provide the knowledge and skills required for a career in this emerging industry.&rdquo
Rear Adm Nunan First Woman Appointed USMMA Superintendent
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She will begin work at the Academy in a few weeks.Rear Admiral Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment
Offshore Wind in Focus at Recent Mass. Maritime Career Fair
fairs – held in the spring and fall – provide unique opportunities for students to interact with a large number of company recruiters who are on a mission to meet prospective new employees and conversely allow recruiters to discover the wide ranging skill sets of our graduates,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noting that this year, the Academy welcomed a significant number of offshore wind related companies in need of a trained professional workforce to support the expansion of offshore wind
Rear Admiral Greco Joins San Marino Ship Register
San Marino Ship Register said it has hired Rear Admiral Giovanni Greco to develop institutional relations and national maritime legislation.A graduate of the Genoa Nautical Institute, R. Adm. Greco’s career started on board merchant ships in Europe, the United States, the Persian Gulf, and the Far East. In 1991, he joined the Italian Coast Guard until his retirement in May 2022. During his service, he was harbor master in Fano, Ortona, Crotone, and Vice Commandant in Ravenna. Moreover, he was a lecturer at the IMO Academy IMSSEA, ILO International Training Centre, the World Maritime University
Mass Maritime Puts on Offshore Wind Training Demo for Governor Baker
technological advancements, and we believe we are on the right track to develop projects that lead us to a clean energy future.”“The FORWARD Act is a shining example of the incredible vision of the Baker-Polito Administration,” said President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS. “These unmatched investments in, and unwavering commitment to, clean energy stand to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth for decades to come, and Massachusetts Maritime is proud to be in a position to support that vision."The MMA is the first facility in
Ann Phillips Confirmed as Next MARAD Administrator
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Ann C. Phillips as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), filling a position that has been left vacant at the Department of Transportation (DOT) since January 2021. Phillips was confirmed by a vote of 75-22.Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, takes over as head of the DOT's maritime agency amid continued shipping and supply chain disruption as well as historic levels of government funding for maritime and port infrastructure projects. She succeeds Mark Buzby, who resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U
SUNY Maritime Announces $24.8 Million in Campus Improvements
investment through SUNY and Empire State Development.The funding includes a $1 million donation from a Maritime College alum, as well as a donation from the Marine Society that will support the William Austen Marine Education & Seamanship Center, which is scheduled to begin construction this month.Rear Admiral Michael Alfultis, SUNY Maritime College President, said, “What we will witness is a significant investment in the future of Maritime College by the State of New York, SUNY Construction Fund, Empire State Development, and a generous alum. We view these improvements as a means of further strengthen
Maritime Academies Work Toward Inclusion
is 1,451 for 2022-2025. (See chart for a more complete breakout.) In 2020, 13% of students were female.Michael Ortiz M.Ed. is Dean of Enrollment Management, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Mass Maritime. Ortiz leads a new division established in June 2021 by MMA president Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald.Ortiz said that Mass Maritime has worked to gain a close understanding of the emerging generation of high schoolers. He said that “equality, inclusivity, stability and opportunities” are valued by students today and “therefore we have changed our initiatives
Burns to Lead Mass. Maritime's Work in Renewable Energy
delivering offshore wind workforce training, raising awareness of the Academy's efforts in renewable energy, and managing MMA’s marine environmental initiatives.“Capt. Burns brings knowledge and experience in the field of renewable energy to this extremely important role,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are extremely fortunate to have a leader and innovator at the Academy and are proud to promote one of our own to this position. I look forward to seeing the MCRE develop under his leadership.” The
UK Hydrographic Office Appoints Peter Sparkes as Chief Executive
The U.K. Hydrographic Office (UKHO) announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Peter Sparkes as the new chief executive and accounting officer. Sparkes will be leaving the Royal Navy to take up the role.As chief executive, Sparkes will continue to lead the organization’s important work in supporting safe, secure and thriving oceans. This includes the UKHO’s work in support of Defense and merchant shipping. Working in close collaboration with national and international partners, the organization will also continue to develop ADMIRALTY Maritime Data Solutions to support the responsible and
