Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda: DOT Observes National Maritime Day

The UN's International Maritime Organization has declared 2010 to be the Year of the Seafarer.

That makes this year's observance of National Maritime Day, in which we pay tribute to our nation's seafarers, particularly memorable.

Today's master of ceremonies, MARAD Senior Policy Advisor Orlando Gotay

Now, it is not easy being a seafarer.

They face long periods away from home and family, and the familiar safety hazards that the sea has always presented. Sadly, they also still face the risk of being shot at by pirates.

Attendees stand in silence as a ship's bell is tolled eight times in memory of departed mariners

Our country has long relied on the skills and expertise of people to build ships, sail them, and train the next generation to do the same. And, if we are to retain our status as a trading nation and a world military superpower, we will continue to rely on a strong merchant marine.

The challenge we face is that the merchant marine is not exactly a household term.

Many Americans aren’t familiar with the path that most consumer goods take from factory to store.

Many aren't familiar with how merchant mariners provide critical supplies to our troops serving in forward locations on foreign soil.

David Matsuda presents medal to Captain Benjamin Tidwell, Master, of the Operation Unified Relief vessel Cape May

Or how, thanks to our skilled seamen, our country is capable of delivering humanitarian relief to people in need around the world quickly and efficiently.

So in echoing the sentiments of the IMO, the Obama Administration joins in highlighting the work of the seafarer.

You have our gratitude and respect for all that you do in the regular course of your service.

And for responding to the rescue of passengers from downed US Air Flight 1549 in the frigid Hudson River during last year's “Miracle on the Hudson.”

And for being available to pull survivors of the Deepwater Horizon from the Gulf of Mexico during the night of that fateful explosion and fire.

Calvin Kaawa, Able Bodied Seaman aboard the Huakai, also served in Operation Unified Relief

And for serving on more than 40 ships with over 1,000 of your colleagues after the deadly earthquakes in Haiti, to provide relief and hope to millions of people.

At today's ceremony, we proudly awarded those mariners who served in the Haitian effort, Operation Unified Relief, with the Merchant Marine Medal for Outstanding Achievement. In bringing relief and care to Haiti's survivors, they demonstrated the extraordinary compassion and devotion to others that have traditionally brought admiration and honor to the men and women who serve in our nation’s merchant marine.
 

Every day, the people of DOT's Maritime Administration recognize our mariners for their unique contribution to society. Today, we ask that the nation join us in recognizing that contribution.

Comments

[Michael E. Bailey]

Merchant seamen put their lives on the line every time they go to sea and they do a great job. My grandfather's brother, my father, and my uncle all were in the Merchant Marine. My grandfather's brother was a ship captain and was the one that gave my father his first job back in the early 1930s. My father served in the Merchant Marine in both peace and war. He served in W.W.II and Korea. Then left the Merchant Marine for a while to become an oil well driller, then went back in again and his last job was as the radio officer on a Royal Dutch Shell surveying vessel that operated between Oregon and the Mexican Border. He passed away in 1961. My uncle was in the Merchant Marine during W.W.II. It is important to recognize the Merchant Marine for all the good work it does. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.