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General

Legacy ID
16

The Gallant Ship Award

The Gallant Ship Award is presented by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to any U.S.-flag or foreign ship “participating in outstanding or gallant action in a marine disaster or other emergency to save life or property at sea.”

The award originates from an executive order...

Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet

The Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet (SBRF) is an anchorage of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) located in Suisun Bay, a tidal estuary northeast of San Francisco Bay. Of the original eight fleet sites, it is one of three that is still in operation and the only site serving...

Beaumont Reserve Fleet

The Beaumont Reserve Fleet (BRF) is an anchorage of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) located on the Neches River in Beaumont, Texas. Originally one of eight NDRF fleet sites scattered across the country, BRF is currently one of three and the only the anchorage on the...

James River Reserve Fleet

The James River Reserve Fleet (JRRF) is an anchorage of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) located on the James River at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is the oldest of the original eight NDRF fleet sites and is currently one of three that is still in operation.

A...

Historic American Engineering Record Surveys

The Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) established the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) program in 1969 to document historic sites and structures, which includes ships. The HAER program is distinct from NPS‘s Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) program, and...

The Story of a Wartime African-American Mariner

James R. Europe

James R. Europe

James R. Europe was another African-American given the opportunity to pursue seagoing employment while serving his country during the national emergency of World War II.

The son of a well-known musician, band leader and composer of the early 20th...

History of the Maritime Administration

History of the Maritime Administration A Short History of the Maritime Administration: Learn about the history of MARAD and its predecessors, the U.S. Shipping Board and U.S. Maritime Commission. The Maritime Administration's First 100 Years: 1916-2016: A narrative history of the ...

Life At Sea

Fire and Boat Drill

Once each week, a Fire and Boat Drill is conducted on board ship. The purpose of this weekly drill is to make sure that each crew member knows exactly what to do in case of a fire or other disaster that would require a person to leave the ship.

The fire fighting...