An estimated 155 American maritime industry representatives from throughout the country are gathering today in Washington, D.C. for the third-annual Congressional “Sail-In.”
This eclectic group of maritime professionals is gathering to update Congress a day after the release of a new study from the Navy League of the United States that says a unified domestic maritime industry plays a “unique and extraordinary” role in promoting U.S. economic, national and homeland security.
“The Sail-In is the one time of the year that nearly every segment of the maritime industry comes together to brief Congress on how we make the United States stronger and safer,” said James Henry, President of the Transportation Institute and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Maritime Partnership. “Working together as one, maritime personnel from the Great Lakes, inland rivers, deep seas and beyond help boost America’s national and homeland security while promoting much-needed job growth here at home.”
The Navy League Report, Maritime Industry: The Foundation of American Seapower, says a unified maritime industry has been vital to U.S. economic and military success since the founding of the country. The report says the industry is innovative, highly productive and environmentally friendly, with more than 40,000 vessels and more than a half a million associated jobs.
“The industry provides jobs for hundreds of thousands of Maritime Americans in every corner of our nation – from longshoremen in ports along our four seacoasts, to towboat operators navigating the Mississippi, to shipbuilders in East Coast dry docks, to the men and women who crew American-flag vessels of all types,” the Navy League study says. “The American maritime industry moves cargo and troops around the world in far greater volume, with far greater efficiency, than any other transportation mode.”
The Navy League report notes U.S.-flag vessel operators are responsible for a number of major advancements in waterborne commerce, including the containership, the river flotilla towing system, and the self-unloading vessel.
Participants in the Sail-In represent virtually every segment of the American Maritime Industry. These representatives are expected to participate in over 170 meetings with Members of Congress and Congressional staff to answer their questions and share the critical role the unified American maritime industry plays in creating jobs protecting the homeland.
The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902 with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt. The Navy League provides a powerful voice for a stronger sea service to Congress and to the American people. It has grown into the foremost citizens’ organization to serve, support and stand with all the sea services – U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S.-flag Merchant Marine.
Via American Maritime Partnership
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