Hello,

I am writing to inform you of an issue on board the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) currently being constructed in Philadelphia. As a friend and colleague of a disabled American, I am concerned with the lack of accessibility on the vessels. This is a major issue as this class of people cannot compete for these jobs.

The Maritime Administration is currently working to replace the older, existing Maritime Academy training vessels. The new NSMVs are new purpose-built training ships designed to meet the needs of the academies and the federal government in the dual role of humanitarian aid and disaster relief. All of these uses are important and will require the full participation of the available workforce.

I am advocating for the accessibility changes on these vessels to provide more opportunities for disabled Americans. As of October 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 24.2% of the American workforce is disabled in some capacity. Many of these Americans can still live normal lives if appropriate accommodations are made in places of employment and education.

I am concerned that there are no fully accessible staterooms and heads on board currently. The existing rooms are not accessible to most mobility-impaired individuals. This prevents these disabled individuals from traveling on board the NSMV for extended periods. The vessels already have roll-on, roll-off decks and elevators; so minimal changes would open up the vessel, and opportunities, to mobility-impaired Americans.

Two staterooms have been identified for the improvements. Removing one wall from the staterooms would combine these into one accessible space. This would provide the room needed to serve these Americans. It would open up more employment and educational opportunities. These Americans would then be able to participate in the NSMV mission of training the nation’s maritime workforce and addressing the nation’s critical shortage of merchant mariners.