St. Johns Ship Building Names Joe Rella as President
of U.S. Navy and commercial maritime experience to his new position at the Palatka, Fa. shipyard. He was previously president and COO at Austal USA and has held executive roles at International Marine and Industrial Applicators. Rella received his undergraduate degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned an MBA from Spring Hill College. "Joe comes to us with a fantastic list of career accomplishments and an incredible depth of experience in the Jones Act and Military spaces," said Edward Sheets, executive vice president of Americraft Marine Group. "Joe
To Fight Sexual Assault and Harassment, Vessel Owners and Operators Must Comply with Heightened Reporting Requirements
In response to increased awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) in the maritime industry — and following a widely reported account by a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet of sexual assault aboard a U.S.-flagged ship during her Sea Year training — Congress enacted into law the Safer Seas Act (SSA) in December 2022.Intended as a direct effort to prevent and punish SASH, the SSA, among other provisions:Requires the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to revoke the license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s credential of an individual who has been the
US Forms Council to Advise on USMMA Improvements
The U.S. Department of Transportation has formed a new advisory council to help drive improvements at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), a service academy in Kings Point, N.Y.According to the DOT, establishment of the USMMA Advisory Council fulfills a key recommendation from the National Academy of Public Administration’s (NAPA) November 2021 report entitled “Organizational Assessment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward.” Specifically, NAPA’s report recommended that the DOT charter an advisory council to advise the Secretary of Transportation on matters
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
USMMA Superintendent to Step Down
Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Vice Adm. Jack Buono announced his retirement after a maritime career that has spanned more than 45 years.Vice Adm. Buono, a 1978 Kings Point graduate, has spent the past three and a half years at the Academy helm, and will relinquish command at a ceremony in June 2022. His successor has not been announced.“For Ginger and I, serving as the Superintendent and First Lady of the Academy has been the honor of a lifetime,” Buono said. “The young women and men who come here are truly the best and brightest America has to offer. I am
Rodriguez Appointed Interim Director of MITAGS
and skills to our crew as we move our organization forward.”“I have been fortunate throughout my career to work with great people in education, labor, government and the military. I am especially proud to be a part of the MITAGS team,” Rodriguez said.A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Rodriguez sailed as a member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P). He came ashore in 1995 at Nautical Technology Corporation (NTC), a small data management company that developed the forerunner to some of ABS Group’s Nautical Systems
Crowley Awards Scholarships to Four USMMA Cadets
Crowley recently honored four U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) cadets with Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships during the Containerization and Intermodal Institute’s Connie Awards on December 6 in Newark, N.J.Cadets Breanna Frank, Nathan Mathes, A.J. Poznanski and Erin Roberts were awarded the memorial scholarship based on their interest in pursuing a career at sea, as well as their service during their sea year aboard a Crowley-owned or -managed vessel.Midshipman First Class Breanna Frank, from Sidney, Mont., is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in maritime logistics and security.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Announces Leadership Change
FBS.Perciavalle comes to Fincantieri after most recently serving for years as the president of Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. Perciavalle has an extensive background in the shipbuilding and repair industry, having worked at several Gulf Coast shipyards throughout his career. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering Systems. During his career, Perciavalle has held various senior management positions overseeing commercial and government new construction and repair programs of diverse vessel types.“It’s never
New Bill Aims to Address Sexual Misconduct in the Merchant Marine
A group of U.S. Senators has introduced new legislation aiming to strengthen sexual assault/sexual harassment (SASH) prevention, response, investigation and accountability in the maritime industry and provide additional safeguards for the Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA).The Improving Protections for Midshipmen Act is being put forward by Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) after the United States’ federal maritime academy paused at-sea training for the second time in five years amid ongoing struggles to grapple with
Maritime Academies Work Toward Inclusion
diversity is not new, but President Biden’s directives have surely recharged that goal.This article takes a closer look at minority student recruitment and graduation at the Coast Guard Academy and the state maritime academies. All of the state academies were contacted – as well as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, N.Y. – but not all responded.This report seeks to present a big-picture look within university-level maritime education, particularly among Black students, so specifically referenced within the CG’s graduation announcement. We asked colleges: How have
Baldwin Joins LIG Marine Managers
honed his skills at carriers including Atlantic Mutual and Travelers. Baldwin joined what is now AXA/XL in 2012 and was most recently regional vice president for the Mid Atlantic division. During his time there, he led that division through over $30 million in premium growth.He was educated at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned his Bachelor’s in Marine Transportation and his Third Mates License, Unlimited Tonnage all Oceans. He holds professional designations of CPCU and AMIM
Hilburn Rejoins Crowley Solutions as VP, Business Development
team-building skills to help us grow in these sectors.”Hilburn joined Crowley in 2012 after a career in the U.S. Army as a transportation and logistics officer. He retired after battalion command as a lieutenant colonel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, a master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree in military art and science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.Prior to rejoining Crowley, Hilburn was vice president of business development
Over 1,650 Cadets Graduate from American Maritime Academies
a shortage of mariners, making this and future classes of cadets all the more important.“A strong U. S. Merchant Marine helps to grow our economy and protect our nation in turbulent times,” said Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, Maritime Administrator. “The graduates of the US Merchant Marine Academy and our six state maritime academies, whether they choose to enter our armed forces, to sail commercially in the Jones Act domestic trade, or to sail internationally, are helping strengthen America because — as our Founders knew — a vibrant and growing maritime industry is essential
Furuno USA Hires Toma
the country to promote the Furuno product line.Toma comes to Furuno with forty years of experience in the maritime industry. He has served on the Board of Directors for RTCM (Radio Technical Commission for Maritimes), and received the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award in 2013 from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association. A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, who has also held an Unlimited Tonnage/All Oceans navigation license and has served on various merchant vessels in both the United States and British flag fleets, Toma's maritime
Crowley Promotes Douglas
Crowley in the company’s labor relations department as a marine recruiter in 2006, before becoming manager of marine recruiting and development in 2008. He was promoted to director, marine personnel, in 2009 before becoming labor relations director in 2017.Douglas is a 2003 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering systems. He served as a third assistant and second assistant engineer aboard various U.S. flagged vessels.He fills the role of Rudy Leming Jr., who recently transitioned to vice president, operations integration for Crowley Logistics
USMMA: Ballard New Academic Dean and Provost
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) installed John R. Ballard, Ph.D., as the new Academic Dean and Provost in a brief ceremony at the Academy yesterday. Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA Strategic Plan.
USMMA Names Academic Dean and Provost
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (USMMA) announced today that John R. Ballard, Ph.D., has been named the new Academic Dean and Provost at the federal service academy. In this position, Dr. Ballard will serve as the chief academic officer and principal advisor to the Superintendent in all matters relating to the academic program and faculty. He will also co-chair the educational priority working group for the recently released USMMA strategic plan.Dr. Ballard served as a Marine Infantry officer immediately following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. He commanded Marines at the
