Maritime history of the United States (2000–present) facts for kids
The maritime history of the United States (2000–) tells us about how the American merchant marine has stayed ready to help our country. The merchant marine is made up of civilian ships and sailors who transport goods and supplies, especially for the military during times of need.
Contents
Supporting Our Nation's Needs
Building a Stronger Fleet
On October 22, 2001, a new law called the Merchant Marine Act of 2001 was passed. This law planned for building 300 new ships for the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) over ten years. The RRF is a group of ships that are kept ready to quickly carry military equipment and supplies when needed.
Helping During Conflicts
In 2003, 40 ships from the Ready Reserve Force were used to support important military operations. These included Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The RRF ships were very important for moving equipment and supplies to where they were needed. This included gear for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.
By May 2005, RRF ships had been activated 85 times, spending almost 12,000 days at sea. They moved nearly 25% of all the equipment needed to support the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq.
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) also played a big part in the Iraq War. In just the first year, MSC ships delivered a huge amount of cargo, about 61 million square feet, and 1.1 billion US gallons of fuel.
Recognizing Brave Sailors
Merchant mariners are civilian sailors who work on these ships. They were recognized for their important work in Iraq. For example, in late 2003, Vice Admiral David Brewer III, who led the Military Sealift Command, gave the Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal to the officers and crew of the ship MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett. This medal honors their brave contributions.
Helping After Natural Disasters
The Ready Reserve Force also helps during emergencies at home. In September 2006, after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita hit the Gulf Coast, the RRF was called into action. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asked for eight RRF vessels to help with relief efforts.
These ships provided places for refinery workers, oil spill response teams, and port workers to eat and sleep. One of the ships even provided electrical power to help with recovery efforts. This shows how important the merchant marine is, not just for military support, but also for humanitarian aid.
Legislation
