Foreign Flag or Flag of Convenience?

Just returned from another excellent CMA Shipping event, which I am sure gCaptain will be reporting on, and a great meeting with the Chamber of Shipping of America and in particular its President Mr. Joseph Cox. What a wonderful organization and what an amazing wealth of knowledge in Mr. Cox! Sir, I want to personally thank you for enlightening me in so many areas (at no charge!), and in particular the area of Americans and liability.

IB

thats it?? this article seems half finished, if that much. The author mentions "[some] foreign flags" are good, but never explains which ones or why. He then explains that it would be good for the kid because he'd have access to alcohol on board and foreign flagged deep sea ships are more fun? And this would somehow prepare him to "fix" the US deep sea fleet? Is the author implying that this kid could then report back to other americans that they should sail foreign because of said alcohol and fun? The coastal/inland industry is only for old people that dont want to have fun anymore? Really? Is this forgetting the fact that blue water companies are barely hiring and inland and coastal companies can't hire enough people to crew their boats? Must be.

honestly? this is the argument? I dont get it. The introduction makes you expect a truly persuasive argument in favor of Americans sailing foreign, but doesnt actually deliver in the slightest. What about the "bad" flags? What about companies that refuse to hire Americans for liability reasons? He claims its good for the industry, but side steps the issue of the dieing American merchant fleet and how it intertwines with our economic security and defense. Despite being a master mariner, I dont think the author has the necessary background to even begin to school americans on this topic.

I'm not "admonishing", I would just like to hear a good argument taking everything into account, some examples from actual americans who've done it would be nice too.

Nick,

Thank you for your comments, although I am surprised it was the only reply. I am so often my worst (and only) critic, and it was refreshing to see your words.

While I like to think I have a passion for writing, perhaps my aptitude for poetic prose bears room for improvement. I could have simply just come out with the question:

“Is there anything wrong with young US Merchant Marine officers sailing on foreign flag vessels”.

One thing where I think the US differs so much from most of the world's merchant navies is that the US Merchant Marine is an extension of the armed forces, and almost a military operation (in waiting).

“Why do you want to go to sea young man?”; “To see the world Sir”.

On reflection, to say there are bad flags was not the way to put it. It is the companies that operate under those flags that can give a flag a bad name, although weak policing of the individual flag state's rules should then be brought into question. As we know, many of finest ships built sail under the same flag as some of the worst.

Alcohol and its use and abuse is sure to be a very sensitive topic. In this country it is not against the law to drink and drive. How many people out there think nothing of one or two or three beers and it still be OK for them to safely get home and be under the legal limit? Again, I admit that my writing came up short. So, is there anything wrong with the 3rd Mate and 4th Engineer getting together after their shift for a couple of beers? Two adults doing nothing more than they would at home. I think not.

“To see the world you say”; “Yes Sir”.

Why is it that the inland and coastal companies can not hire enough people? Is it money? I do not think it is a bad job, but is it fun? If it is fun then it is not being sold well enough perhaps? Do not get me wrong because as an aside, I would like nothing more than to take a trip down the Mississippi on a pusher tug with umpteen barges in front. That is some seamanship that I can only imagine.

As for the blue water companies, the reports from Europe indicate that there are not enough officers to meet the industry's needs. BIMCO (www.bimco.org) for example, has some interesting ideas, from mapping a maritime career to attracting a new generation of seafarers to selling shipping to children. Can we learn from that?

However, the military link is still missing, as these people see shipping as a purely commercial career.

“What about companies that refuse to hire Americans for liability reasons?” Here I admit my naivety and humbly seek further knowledge on the subject.

Is the American merchant fleet dieing as you say? Why is this? Could it be because of this close link to the Navy? Again, this is the land where everything is possible, where people dream of living. How can the US Navy be the most powerful in the world and yet the Merchant Marine be just the opposite? Intertwined so as they are could be just the reason the Merchant Marine will never truly be a commercial enterprise? And even if the answer were to separate them, how likely is that? So in the end we have to learn to live with it.

If I do not have the necessary background to even begin to school Americans, then I need to step up to the plate and learn, and learn I will, but I shall continue to support this industry in any way possible.

I agree that it would be good to hear from any Americans who have sailed on other flags.

Lastly, now that we have the global recession upon us, would it not be perfect timing to make a recruitment drive to fill so many of the empty positions that are out there?