The first-in-class National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, NSMV 1, aka Empire State VII, is floated out of dry dock at Philly Shipyard. Photo: courtesy of RADM Alfultis
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has named Captain Elizabeth Christman as the sponsor of the federal government’s first new national training and humanitarian ship bound for the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College.
Captain Christman is a 1987 graduate of Maritime College and is currently the Vice President of the Maryland Pilots Association.
The first-in-class National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), named Empire State VII, is planned for delivery this summer to Maritime College as the university’s new cadet training vessel.
The NSMV is the first of five NSMV’s MARAD is building to replace older training vessels at the nation’s state maritime academies. Each NSMV will feature state-of-the-art instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and accommodations for up to 600 cadets. The vessels can also function as humanitarian and disaster support vessels as needed.
In 2019, MARAD selected TOTE Services to be the vessel construction manager (VCM) for the NSMV program to ensure the use of best practices in commercial ship construction. As construction manager, TOTE awarded Philly Shipyard the contract to construct all five of the vessels.
Deliveries are scheduled to take place through 2026, starting this summer with the delivery of the Empire State VII to Maritime College, unfortunately not in time for this summer’s sea term. Subsequent NSMVs will go to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, Texas A&M Maritime Academy and California State University Maritime, in that order.
MARAD is also announcing Mrs. Kimberly Alfultis as the Honorary Matron of Honor for the Empire State VII. She is the spouse of Rear Admiral Michael Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College.
“Mrs. Alfultis’ long-standing support to the student body of SUNY Maritime College is widely known and well recognized, specifically in her efforts to recruit a diverse student body at SUNY Maritime,” MARAD said in a statement. “Mrs. Alfultis’ impressive record of service aligns with the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration to increase the diversity in the maritime industry while fostering a safe and inclusive environment at sea.”
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