Florida Maritime Partnership Highlights “Military to Maritime” on Veteran’s Day   

JACKSONVILLE, November 10, 2020 – In observance of Veteran’s Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 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. 

“Veterans play a vital role in the domestic maritime industry. Their military service gives them a unique and adaptable skill set, and we have many shared objectives, including protecting our national and economic security,” said Christopher Smith, president of the Florida Maritime Partnership. “Florida is home to the second-largest domestic maritime industry and the third-largest population of veterans in the country, and we are proud to connect them with good opportunities in the civilian workforce.” 

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 American Maritime Officers, Crowley Maritime, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, JAXPORT, Kirby, McAllister Towing, OSG Ship Management, Seafarers International Union, and TOTE Services.