What Are the Merchant Marines?
One maritime service you may not have heard much about is the United States Merchant Marines. Merchant Mariners isn’t part of the military, but some run ships supporting the U.S. Navy. And to join the Merchant Marines, one must undergo training via the United States Coast Guard.
Sometimes called the Merchant Navy, the Merchant Marine consists of civilian vessels like tankers and cargo ships that export and import goods and products to other countries. America transports about 75% of its trade goods by sea, so mariners that serve on the vessels are vital to ensure the goods get to their destinations safely and on time.
Mariners, also known as water transportation workers, can be pilots, mates, captains, or seamen, and they all play an essential role in ensuring the travel of commercial U.S. vessels. And a fun fact: The popular, old-time cartoon character, Popeye, started as a Merchant Mariner first before joining the Coast Guard!
Empire Resume will tell you what you need to know about the Merchant Marine, including how to join and some of its rich history.
The U.S. Merchant Marine is Relatively Small
Merchant Marines are a nation’s commercial ships; almost all countries, including the U.S. have one. Merchant marine ships can be privately or publicly owned; the term merchant marine also denotes the personnel working on and operating the vessel. Merchant ships transport people, manufactured goods, and raw materials.
Merchant fleets are vital economic assets for countries, contributing to a nation’s foreign-exchange earnings, promoting trade, and providing employment. Unfortunately, the U.S. Merchant Marine is relatively small compared to other countries. The total civilian merchant fleet of the U.S. is 393 vessels, which ranks 27th in the world. Russia is 11th with 1,143 merchant ships, and China is 2nd worldwide with 4,052 ships. These numbers include privately-owned crafts and those owned by the federal government.
America has a unique federal agency for the Merchant Marine. The U.S. Maritime Administration, under the Department of Transportation, handles all programs and finance of America’s Merchant Marine. This includes training the officers and crew on the nation’s merchant ships.
By the end of World War II, the U.S. was operating nearly half the world’s merchant marine ships, and Great Britain managed another significant share of the vessels. But both countries’ merchant fleets declined steadily following the war.
Merchant shipping, including in the U.S., includes cargo ships, tankers, and passenger ships. Some newer cargo ships are bulk carriers that transport dry cargo in bulk. Passenger ships have ocean liners, cruise ships, and ferries. Tankers are used to move crude oil and natural gas.
A Key Part of World War II
The history of the U.S. Merchant Marine goes back to the roots of the country. And although the Merchant Marine isn’t part of the military, it has played a role in many American wars throughout history.
The first wartime role of the Merchant Marine happened in 1775 in then-Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War. Then, the Continental Congress and various colonies used privateers to interrupt the British supply chain along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Merchant Marine also played a critical role during World War II. About 243,000 mariners served in the war, and 9,521 died, a higher proportion of those killed than any other U.S. military branch. About 733 Merchant Marine ships were sunk in the war, and the Japanese captured more than 600 mariners and kept them as prisoners of war. Six ships manned by merchant mariners were also sunk in 1941 before Pearl Harbor, so the mariners were some of the first Americans killed during WWII.
Merchant Mariners risked their lives supplying the military with the tools and supplies needed to win WWII. But much of the logistical work was behind the scenes and there were public misconceptions over their service status, which led to mariners failing to receive much-earned recognition through GI Bill benefits. It wasn’t until 1988 when U.S. District Judge ruled that mariners qualified as veterans and could be regarded as veterans eligible for GI Bill benefits.
Joining the Merchant Marine
The Merchant Marine provides many options for roles and career paths for those who would like to join. Three possible options are in the engineering, deck, and steward’s departments. It’s advised to choose your career path and consider what role you’d like because that will determine the requirements for the merchant mariner credential you must earn.
The engineering department includes engineers, electricians, mechanics, and oilers who ensure the machinery on a vessel operates correctly. Members of the deck department include seamen and lifeboatmen who assist with the day-to-day functions of the vessel. And in the steward’s department, members help with and cook the ship’s food.
How long it takes to become a mariner depends on what role you’re looking for. A person who joins the merchant marine as an ordinary seaman may become one after passing the courses and exams and receiving the required credentials, which may only take a few months. If you go through the apprenticeship to become an officer, the training could take two years, though much of it is done during sea time. If you go to a Merchant Marine Academy, the timeline could be four years or more.
There’s a Merchant Marine age limit, as 16 is the youngest age a person can join. However, requirements vary with shipping companies, and some may require you to be at least 21 years old. Also, you’re never too old to join the Merchant Marine. Some mariners have retired from their first careers and gone on to rejoin and start a second career as a Mariner.
Civilian Service to be Proud of
The United States Merchant Marine is a maritime service that most Americans know very little about. Although Merchant Mariners are civilians and not part of the U.S. Armed Forces, they have been called on during times of war throughout the nation’s history. Perhaps the mariner’s most significant contribution to America came during World War II when many in the Merchant Marine died while providing essential logistical help that helped win the war.
Joining the Merchant Marine can take many shapes and forms depending on the type of position you’re looking for. In many cases, you can become a mariner as young as 16 years old and serve for as long as you’d like. The Merchant Marine may be for you if you’re looking for a type of government service close to the military but still a civilian role.
Stay tuned to Empire Resume’s blog for more helpful articles about military life and transitioning to civilian employment, such as Working on a Utah Military Base, Tips for Veterans Who Freelance, and 5 Steps Veterans Must Take to Avoid Covid-19 Scams.
Jeshi la Wanamaji la Biashara Ni Nini? Huduma moja ya baharini ambayo huenda usikuhisi ni muhimu sana ni ile ya Jeshi la Wanamaji la Biashara la Marekani. Merchant Mariners si sehemu ya jeshi, lakini baadhi ya kukimbia meli kusaidia Marekani Navy. Na ili kujiunga na Jeshi la Wanamaji la Biashara, mtu lazima apate mafunzo kupitia Walinzi wa Pwani wa Marekani. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Marine ya Biashara"" ni meli za kiraia, kama vile meli za mizigo na meli za mizigo, ambazo husafirisha na kuagiza bidhaa na bidhaa kwa nchi nyingine." Kwa kuwa asilimia 75 ya bidhaa za Marekani husafirishwa baharini, ni muhimu kwa mabaharia wa meli za Marekani kuhakikisha kwamba bidhaa hizo zinafika mahali zinapopaswa kufika kwa usalama na kwa wakati. "Wafanyakazi wa meli, wanaojulikana pia kama ""wafanyikazi wa usafirishaji wa maji,"" wanaweza kuwa marubani, mabaharia, nahodha, au mabaharia, na wote wana jukumu muhimu katika kuhakikisha usafiri wa meli za kibiashara za Marekani." Na jambo lenye kufurahisha: Mhusika maarufu wa zamani wa katuni, Popeye, alianza kama Msafiri wa Baharini wa Biashara kwanza kabla ya kujiunga na Walinzi wa Pwani! Empire Resume inakuambia kila kitu unachohitaji kujua kuhusu Merchant Marine, ikiwa ni pamoja na jinsi ya kujiunga na baadhi ya historia yake tajiri. Marekani Merchant Marine ni meli ndogo ya kibiashara ya nchi, karibu nchi zote, ikiwa ni pamoja na Marekani, zina moja. Meli za baharini za kibiashara zinaweza kuwa za kibinafsi au za umma; neno baharini la kibiashara pia linaonyesha wafanyakazi wanaofanya kazi na kuendesha chombo. Meli za biashara husafirisha watu, bidhaa zilizotengenezwa, na malighafi. Meli za kibiashara ni mali muhimu ya kiuchumi kwa nchi, zikichangia mapato ya kigeni ya taifa, kukuza biashara, na kutoa ajira. Kwa bahati mbaya, Marekani Merchant Marine ni ndogo ikilinganishwa na nchi nyingine. Kwa ujumla, meli za biashara za Marekani zina meli 393, na ni ya 27 duniani. Urusi ina meli 1,143 za biashara na China ina meli 4,052. Idadi hizo zinatia ndani vyombo vya kibinafsi na vile vinavyomilikiwa na serikali ya shirikisho. Marekani ina shirika la pekee la shirikisho la Merchant Marine. Usimamizi wa Bahari wa Marekani, chini ya Idara ya Usafiri, hushughulikia programu zote na fedha za Merchant Marine ya Amerika. Hii inajumuisha mafunzo ya maofisa na wafanyakazi kwenye meli za kibiashara za taifa. Kufikia mwisho wa Vita Kuu ya Pili ya Dunia, Marekani ilikuwa ikiendesha karibu nusu ya meli za kibiashara za dunia, na Uingereza ilisimamia sehemu nyingine kubwa ya meli hizo. Lakini meli za biashara za nchi zote mbili zilipungua kwa kasi baada ya vita. Usafiri wa baharini, ikiwa ni pamoja na Marekani, unatia ndani meli za mizigo, meli za mafuta, na meli za abiria. Meli fulani mpya za kubeba mizigo ni meli za kubeba mizigo ambayo hubeba mizigo kavu kwa wingi. Meli za abiria zina meli za baharini, meli za kusafiri, na feri. Meli za kubebea mafuta hutumiwa kusafirisha mafuta yasiyosafishwa na gesi ya asili. Sehemu Muhimu ya Vita vya Pili vya Ulimwengu Historia ya Marekani Merchant Marine inarudi kwenye mizizi ya nchi. Na ingawa Merchant Marine si sehemu ya jeshi, imekuwa na jukumu katika vita vingi vya Marekani katika historia. Wakati wa vita, meli ya Merchant Marine ilijulikana kama Merchant Marine, na ilianza kutumika mnamo 1775 wakati wa Vita vya Uhuru. Wakati huo, Marekani na koloni zake zilitumia meli za kivita kuvuruga njia ya usambazaji wa bidhaa za Uingereza kwenye pwani ya mashariki ya Marekani na kuvuka Bahari ya Atlantiki. Jeshi la Wanamaji la Biashara pia lilifanya kazi muhimu wakati wa Vita vya Pili vya Ulimwengu. Wanajeshi wa majini wapatao 243,000 walihudumu katika vita hivyo, na 9,521 waliuawa, idadi kubwa zaidi ya wale waliouawa kuliko tawi lingine lolote la jeshi la Marekani. Meli 733 za Merchant Marine zilizama katika vita hivyo, na wapiganaji wa Japan waliwakamata zaidi ya mabaharia 600 na kuwaweka mateka wa vita. Meli sita zilizokuwa na wafanyakazi wa meli za biashara zilizama pia mwaka 1941 kabla ya Pearl Harbor, hivyo mabaharia hao walikuwa miongoni mwa Wamarekani wa kwanza kuuawa wakati wa Vita Kuu ya Pili ya Ulimwengu. Wanamaji wa biashara walihatarisha maisha yao kwa kuandaa vifaa vya vita vya pili vya dunia. Lakini kazi nyingi za vifaa zilikuwa nyuma ya pazia na kulikuwa na dhana zisizo za kawaida juu ya hali yao ya huduma, ambayo ilisababisha mabaharia kushindwa kupokea utambuzi wa kutosha kupitia faida za GI Bill. Mwaka 1988 hakukuwa na uamuzi wa Mahakama ya Wilaya ya Marekani kwamba askari wa majini walihitajika kuwa wahudumu wa zamani wa jeshi na walihitajika kupata faida za sheria ya GI. Kujiunga na Merchant Marine: Merchant Marine hutoa chaguzi nyingi kwa majukumu na njia za kazi kwa wale ambao wangependa kujiunga. Chaguzi tatu zinazowezekana ziko katika idara za uhandisi, deck, na steward. Inashauriwa kuchagua njia yako ya kazi na kuzingatia nini jukumu ungependa kwa sababu hiyo itaamua mahitaji ya biashara ya baharia sifa lazima kupata. Idara ya uhandisi inatia ndani wahandisi, waendeshaji wa umeme, mafundi, na wauzaji wa mafuta ambao huhakikisha kwamba mashine za meli zinafanya kazi kwa usahihi. Washiriki wa idara ya deck ni pamoja na mabaharia na lifeboatmen ambao husaidia na kazi za kila siku za chombo. Na katika idara ya msimamizi wa meli, washiriki husaidia na kupika chakula cha meli. Muda unaohitajiwa kuwa baharia unategemea ni jukumu gani unalotafuta. Mtu anayejiunga na meli ya biashara kama baharia wa kawaida anaweza kuwa mmoja baada ya kupitisha kozi na mitihani na kupokea vyeti vinavyohitajika, ambayo inaweza kuchukua miezi michache tu. Ikiwa unafanya mafunzo ya kuwa afisa, mafunzo yanaweza kuchukua miaka miwili, ingawa mengi ya mafunzo hayo hufanywa wakati wa kusafiri baharini. Ikiwa unaenda katika Chuo cha Merchant Marine, muda wa muda unaweza kuwa miaka minne au zaidi. Kuna kikomo cha umri wa Merchant Marine, kama 16 ni umri mdogo mtu anaweza kujiunga. Hata hivyo, mahitaji hutofautiana kulingana na kampuni za usafirishaji, na baadhi ya kampuni hizo zinaweza kuhitaji kuwa na umri wa miaka 21 au zaidi. Pia, huwezi kamwe kuwa mzee mno kujiunga na Jeshi la Wanamaji la Biashara. Baadhi ya mabaharia wamestaafu kutoka kazi zao za kwanza na kuendelea kujiunga tena na kuanza kazi ya pili kama Msafiri. Utumishi wa kiraia wa kujivunia Marekani Merchant Marine ni huduma ya baharini ambayo Wamarekani wengi wanajua kidogo sana kuhusu. Ingawa Merchant Marines ni raia na si sehemu ya Jeshi la Marekani, wamekuwa kuitwa wakati wa vita katika historia ya taifa. Msaada mkubwa wa Merchant Marine kwa Marekani ulikuja wakati wa Vita Kuu ya Pili ya Dunia wakati wengi katika Merchant Marine walikufa wakati wa kutoa msaada muhimu wa vifaa ambao ulisaidia kushinda vita. Kujiunga na Merchant Marine inaweza kuchukua maumbo mengi na aina kulingana na aina ya nafasi wewe ni kuangalia kwa. Kwa kawaida, unaweza kuwa mwanajeshi wa majini ukiwa na umri wa miaka 16 na utumikie kwa muda mrefu kama utakavyo. Merchant Marine inaweza kuwa kwa ajili yenu kama wewe ni kuangalia kwa aina ya huduma ya serikali karibu na kijeshi lakini bado jukumu la kiraia. Kuangalia zaidi juu ya empire resume kwa makala muhimu kuhusu maisha ya kijeshi na mabadiliko ya ajira ya kiraia, kama vile kufanya kazi katika Utah Military Base, vidokezo kwa Veterans Who Freelance, na hatua 5 Veterans lazima kuchukua ili kuepuka Covid-19 Scams.