Frequently Asked Questions

Who are potential people that might take advantage of this improvement?

The ship is designed with multi-mission capabilities: training, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid. Instructors for the maritime academies may have mobility impairments. While they are primarily maritime emphasis, other fields studied at the schools do not have any sea time requirements. Instruction should be open to all. For both disaster relief and humanitarian aid, crew could come from government or non-profit organizations: FEMA, hospitals, NGOs, etc. Both the USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort have been activated and responded in these roles before. It is important to keep billets open for potential disabled staff.

Does this state room combination eliminate a potential spot for staff and/or crew?

Two state rooms have been identified for combination, see the picture here. Overall the ship is designed for 700 persons total with 600 cadets and 100 non-cadets in training ship mode. Surge capacity of up to 760 persons in HA/DR mode. While pierside it can have up to 1,000 persons aboard. If it is at sea, the design calls for one person per cabin. Overall there would be just 2% reduction in capacity of non-cadets.

What is the timeline for this situation?

The first ship had its keel laid in December 2021 and was delivered in September 2023. This is approximately two years per ship. kept the second ship was just delivered In September 2024. The third, fourth, and fifth (final) are scheduled for deliveries in 2025 and 2026 (final two). All remaining ships have have had their keels laid and are in progress. It is not too late if we act NOW.

What is the cost involved to rectify the issue?

In March 2018 the US federal budget included $300 million for the first ship. the 2020 budget restored a temporary reduction to its $300 million. All ships are funded now. It is estimated to cost around $5,000 For design work and another $30-$40,000 for construction. This is less than .02% of the overall cost of each ship. Not a lot in the name of inclusion and diversity.

Is there more information about the ship available?

There are various sources of information on the vessels. Some of this is from the naval engineering firm (Herbert Engineering Corp), some from Maritime Administration (MARAD), and more still from the shipyard (Philly Ship). With the unique nature of the ship and its development, there have been many articles written about it.  I have compiled what I can and posted the links here.

Who else can we talk to about this?

Bottom line really is “anyone and everyone”. Your congressperson is the most responsible and can put the pressure on for change. Congressman Scott Peters (CA 50) is where we started; we met with his Director of Constituent Services (Cesar Solis) to express concern and ask for action. As stated elsewhere on this site, reach out to other congress persons to ask for action. At a minimum, the DOT’s Coast Guard and Maritime subcommittee members should be contacted. Any chance talk to people about this: coworkers, neighbors, friends, people at bars, mariners, etc. You can do the same.