State of Affairs at KP

Colleges and Universities A-Z Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point
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<p>There is an excellent article in Nov 2007 Marine News called Filling the Mariner Demand -- The industry projects needing 3600 mariners in the next few years just to staff the NEW vessels coming on-line. </p>

<p>Currently the average age of a Mariner with a Masters License is 51 and the average age of a Chief Engineer is 50 which means that 30 percent of inland mariners will be eligible to retire within the next 7 years.</p>

<p>Does not sound to me like KP or any State School comes close to filling those numbers -- so I really don't think we have to worry. We just have to let our representatives know that we know the numbers.</p>

<p>The article appears on Page 52.</p>

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<p>I am fairly familiar with the current budget problems at KP. They are related to poor budget advice. With the current state of the Federal Budget, it was advised that it would be best not to ask for more dollars in a Washington budget environment that is set on reducing spending. In the vast Federal budget, it must be remembered that the only real pool of dollars KP is funded from come from the MARAD budget so...... KP asked for and received basically a flat budget. However, since KP sits in the Washington Naval District and is also in the Metro NY area, the mandated pay increases (which are significant)essentially mean that they have less $$ to spend on the other things required to keep the lights burning. Ironically, the State Schools asked for more money from that same MARAD budget and received what they asked for so in retrospect KP shot itself in the foot. It was then required to go back to the well to ask for supplemental funding to make ends meet which would be OK if it were some unforseen major emergency but when it involves essentially normal operating activities it is quite embarrassing to put it mildly. I do know there were some unforseen large expenses that were presented to KP but related more to not having budgeted for these items because KP had not been charged for these items by DC in the past few years. Sort of like your mortgage company forgetting to collect payments for a couple of years, you not bringing it to their attention because you forgot, you spending the money and all of a sudden your mortgage company remembers to bill you and you don't have the extra dollars. oops. A Congressional Visit would probably be a good thing. The last time Congress was brought in for tours at KP we got a major boost to the budget and would guess we are banking on that again because KP shows very well and our Midshipmen are far and away "smarter that the average bear" and this shows. KP is not going to be closed. All the previous messages about the value of KP etc are all quite valid and KP probably has better support in DC than it has had in decades. The fundamental problem is the way governemt works (or doesn't) when it comes to budget. As for comments I read about a specila project in the "silent phase" it is just as it is titled "silent" not for broad dissemination but I can tell you that this is an Alumni Foundation sponsored project and anything that the foundation does is for the good of KP and the benefit of the Midshipmen. If you don;t know what a silent phase is for, checking the web for silent phase and non profits will probably let you know why it is supposed to be silent. There is a huge mariner shortfall right now and the State schools do not produce any significant number of licensed mariners. KP really is the only logical place. As for comments about writing your congressman. Why the hech have you waited until now? Why only when you need something. We are Americase best kept secret and that is NOT a good thing. Every Midshipman and parent should be writing and e-mailing the local staffers to tell them of KP's successes and the Maritime industry should be first and foremost in their minds. It is lack of action that creates decay. The thing KP needs to push for is "parity in funding" if we were funded dollar for dollar per midshipman as for example Naval Aacdemy, IK wouldn't be writing this message. THAT is something you can talk to your Congressmen and Senators about. It will be a very long uphill battle, but so was the battle for permanency back in the 50's and the battle to shoot down Al Gore and his reinventing governement that wanted to not only close KP but all of the Acadedmies during the Clinton administration.</p>

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<p>By the way, back on the demand for mariners. As has been published recently, our mids can now serve on the foreign flagged LNG ships for training. As you can probably guess, an LNG ship would make a great terrorist weapon so I predict that Congress will eventually require or mandate that even though these might be Foreign Flagged, they will be required to have U.S. Mariners which increases the jobs that are available. As some also know, the obligation now has also recently changed that requires the grads sail or go active duty or working in something directly related such as shipyard stuff and this is directly related to the huge number of open jobs and a lack of grads.</p>

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<p>Here are some up-to-date numbers for all of you.</p>

<p>As of 31 Mar 2007</p>

<p>There were 465 US Flagged Ships > 1000 GRT
Additionally, There are seven hundred ships owned by American interests but registered, or flagged, in other countries.</p>

<p>There were 29,000 Licensed Deck Officers and 12,000 Licensed Marine Engineers.</p>

<p>The number of Unlicensed Mariners stands at 28,000 (NOTE: It is becoming very difficult for an Unlicensed Mariner to moved to Licensed status because of the increasing technological complexity in the newer vessels and the increased requirements for formal training).</p>

<p>Breakdown of Ships:</p>

<p>291 of these are dry cargo ships, 97 were tankers, and 77 passenger ships. Of those American-flagged ships, 51 are foreign owned. Seven hundred American-owned ships are flagged in other nations.</p>

<p>67 Bulk ships
7 Barge Carriers
91 Cargo Ships
76 Container Ships
27 RO/RO
3 Refer Cargo Ships
20 Vehicle Carriers
20 Chemical Tankers
1 Specialized Tanker
76 Petroleum Tankers
19 General Passenger Ships
58 Combined Passenger/Cargo Ships (Ferries)</p>

<p>There are currently 33,222 privately owned ships of this size worldwide placing the United States flag fleet at number 22, just behind Cambodia. Panama, who is often criticized as being a flag of convenience country, is ranked in first place, with 5,473 ships carrying that flag.</p>

<p>Military Sealift Command transports equipment, fuel, ammunition, and other goods essential to the smooth function of United States armed forces worldwide. Up to 95% of all supplies needed to sustain the U.S. military can be moved by Military Sealift Command. MSC operates approximately 120 ships with 100 more in reserve. All ships are manned by civil service or contract merchant mariners.</p>

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<p>noticing that the senate/congress has passed an omnibus bill (that the president will sign), does anyone know if the academy's budget concern is addressed? if I read it right- it looks like dept of transportation gets their budget passed. (perhaps it's only part of it)
anybody?</p>

46

<p>yes KP is funded under the MARAD budget which falls under DOT. The budget will be tight but ends should meet.</p>

47

<p>I have written my congressman to ask why the USMMA is being squeezed financially. USMMA is already far less in cost per student compared to the other service academies and I am hoping to hear something new as to why USMMA is always seems to only be a second thought conserning the schools mission and budget.</p>

<p>If one has the chance to visit USNA and USMMA, it becomes self-evident that USMMA if not funded or supported by the federal government in anyway near the same priority (excluding size differences). Buildings, furniture, quality of professors, sports facilities, etc. are evidence that the USMMA is by comparison, a low budget school. The waterfront is the only exception I can think of that demonstrates something other than rock bottom-getting-by. Again, comparing to USNA. </p>

<p>Has anyone had any discussion with or feedback from their congressman or senator? I would be interested to hear any feedback. I have asked to meet with my congressman and I would like to have some more information incase I actually am offered the opportunity to discuss this USMMA budget issue in person</p>

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<p>The 2008-2009 USMMA Academic Calendar has now been posted.</p>

<p>There is a link on the USMMA Parents page <a href="http://www.usmma.edu/parents/08-09AY.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usmma.edu/parents/08-09AY.pdf&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

<p>This will be useful for planning vacations, buying airline tickets, etc.</p>

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<p>Hey Jamzmom, how weird is that!!? To see the graduation day actually printed somewhere! Wow!! Its been fast.</p>

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<p>I was thinking how weird it was to see my son's 2011(A) printed somewhere!</p>

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<p>LFWBDad, seeing the date weird? I dunno... Makes me want to put on my party hat & dance for joy in the streets. The more weird part is that I might actually finally get a KP grad out of this whole deal. :D WEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

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<p>So, is Ian going to the Zoo the first week in Feb?</p>

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<p>LOL As of today day, my knowledge of what that crazy kid is doing is beyond me. You know I live on the edge with anything KP. :D The opportunities that have been popping up are mind boggling. I think he's got it boiled down to two - The Puzzle Palace vs. the Coasties down in the more southern climates. I need you to step in & get him in a head lock to give Mom more details. The only thing I'm sure of is that I'm gonna be wearing a 'proud Coastie Mom' sweatshirt someday & that KP opportunities are AWESOME.</p>

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<p>:D :D :D So, I get home a while ago & I have this message on my machine from some crazy pal saying, "Uh... you do realize that the "Zoo" is AFA right?" :D</p>

<p>Uh.... now I do. Its all coming back to me. :rolleyes: Remember... its always a good day to be blonde! Fridays are blondie special days! Thats a big old yes that he's planning to go. Hope all works out that he is able to attend the conference. Sounds like a big deal & I know it'll be yet another great experience. Sorry I missed my caller. Always makes my day to "KP speak"!</p>

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<p>Blonde? Blonde, you say? I thought the blonde stereotypes only applied to NATURAL blondes?</p>

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<p>Arrrggg.... Who asked ye? Ye swarmy one eyed son of a shark. :)</p>

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<p>Actually, "the Zoo" is AF speak. Who knew?</p>

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<p>This is a small school. I think it would be very interesting to compare how many people work in administration in a college the same size. Is KP top heavy?? That cost money.</p>

<p>Perhaps, since this is a MERCHANT MARINE college, it ought to be run like a merchant marine ship, lean and efficient in the number running the "ship".</p>

59

<p>What are the chances of the school actually getting shut down? you dont think they would do that do you?</p>

60

<p>Just read back on this thread seakid...that' ain't gonna happen! Don't even worry about it.</p>