Florida Maritime Partnership Highlights “Military to Maritime” on National Hire A Veteran Day

JACKSONVILLE, July 24, 2020 – In observance of National Hire A Veteran Day today, the Florida Maritime Partnership (FMP), a diverse group of business and labor interests representing the domestic maritime industry in Florida, invites veterans and active military to explore their career options with the American Maritime Partnership’s Military to Maritime initiative.

“As we celebrate 100 years of domestic maritime under the Jones Act, which ensures any vessel transporting goods between American ports is U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed, we are reminded that our industry plays a vital role in protecting national and homeland security interests. As a result, we place the highest priority on hiring veterans that share in our commitment to mission, teamwork, and service,” said Christopher Smith, president of the Florida Maritime Partnership.

As of May 26, 2020, active–duty members of the uniformed services are eligible for a waiver of fees for evaluation of an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), the administration of an examination required for an endorsement, and for the issuance of an MMC. The waiver applies to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Public Health Service. More information is available on the Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credentialing policy website here. 

MilitaryToMaritime.org contains resources for both job seekers and employers in the domestic maritime industry.  Florida Maritime Partnership members who are participating vendors in the Military to Maritime initiative include Crowley Maritime, McAllister Towing, Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), TOTE, American Maritime Officers, Great Lake Dredge & Dock, JAXPORT, Kirby Corporation, Moran Towing, and Seafarers International Union.

About the Florida Maritime Partnership 

The Florida Maritime Partnership (FMP)  advocates for the state’s vibrant domestic maritime industry, which sustains nearly 66,000 American jobs and creates an annual economic impact of $14.6 billion. 

Our diverse membership represents vessel owners and operators, shipboard and shoreside workers, shipbuilders and repair yards, equipment manufacturers and vendors, dredging and marine construction contractors, numerous maritime associations and national security organizations that all recognize a strong domestic maritime industry is critical for America’s economic, national, and homeland security, and is best supported by maintaining the Jones Act as the foundation of America’s domestic maritime policy. For more, visit floridamaritimepartnership.com.