Merchant Marine Shortages

Ok. So my question is...is there truly a shortage of merchant mariners? I keep reading that but then my husband (always the pessimist) finds an article stating there are few jobs available after graduation for merchant mariners.
Our son has been offered USMMA appointment but now my husband is freaking out.
 
My suggestion is to do some quick research in trade and financial journals serving the industry...that way you will be able to draw your own conclusions regarding the industry. For trade press, check out "Maritime Executive" magazine. Also check out "Workboat Magazine" and "Marine Log" I think all have online editions that can be accessed for free. You may have to register your e-mail but that's about it. They cover the industry with a rather broad brush (from technology to regulation to markets), so you may have to do some digging in back issues to get your answers. I also would suggest you check out the later SEC form 10-Ks and Annual reports from companies such as SEACOR Holdings, Kirby Corporation (especially discussion on offshore marine), and International Shipholding Corporation. These should give you some idea of the relative economic health of the various sectors. SEACOR is offshore transportation (primarily liquids) for both Jones Act and international markets, as well as oilfield services and harbor tug services. Kirby has Jones Act shallow and deep draft marine transportation, while I believe International Shipholding Corp. is primarily containers, dry bulk, break bulk and ro/ro traffic.

I hope this helps.
 
Thanks! I appreciate the places to look . I have been trying but without "specifics" it is too vast:)
 
70,000 mariners?!?!? That’s about the equivalent of two entire crews for 1,000 ships. The active US-Flagged deep sea fleet is only around 150ish I believe. 150 ships only needs about 3,000 licensed officers to keep them in constant operation (assuming 2 each Master, 1st Mate, Chief Engineer and 1st Engineer; 3 each 2nds and 3rds).

I’m fairly certain he is talking about breaking out all the Ready Reserve Fleet (RRF) and National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) and being able to sustain their operation. He is not speaking in terms of the day to day sailings of the active commercial US-Flagged Fleet. This break out of vessels would have to be during a major theater war on the level of WWII. Being that the NDRF hasn’t been in touched in oh I don’t know … ever and even for Desert Storm and OIF some RRF ships were not called out and not a single Navy Reservist was mobilized to man any of these ships so I’m pretty confident were OK.

MARAD testifying before congress is just a plea for more money for the current fleet of training ships. Not an entirely unworthy need, but in typical inside-the-beltway fashion we have to tie everything to “national security” on the hopes that no one will deny the request for fear of losing their elective office.
 
But, to be honest, it is a very dynamic industry. If one wants to sail after graduation, one certainly can. As I stated in another, similar post, I have had NO trouble finding work after I got out of school, unless I wanted to be left alone. In fact, it was not unusual to turn down job offers. . . at times I still do. . .
 
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