This week, \u00a0President Brennan joined the state maritime academy (SMA) presidents in signing a letter to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) expressing support for a new plan, EMBARC, which will combat sexual assault on U.S. flag vessels. If implemented, the program will support safe sea training for cadets and midshipmen.<\/p>\n
December 14, 2021<\/p>\n
Lucinda Lessley
\nActing Administrator
\nU.S. Maritime Administration
\n1200 New Jersey Ave
\nWashington, DC\u00a0 20590<\/p>\n
Dear Administrator Lessley:<\/p>\n
The Consortium of State Maritime Academies offers its strongest possible support to the principles established within the\u00a0Every Mariner Builds a Respectful Climate\u00a0<\/em>(EMBARC) guidance, a plan recently developed by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) in response to incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment onboard U.S. Flag merchant vessels.\u00a0 As the Consortium noted in our letter of October 14, 2021, we condemn these reprehensible behaviors and wish to reiterate our collective belief that these incidents are not limited to a single academy or shipping company.\u00a0 Prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed by all members of the maritime industry.<\/p>\n We fully support the Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Prevention Mandatory Minimum Standards articulated in the\u00a0Every Mariner Builds a Respectful Culture\u00a0<\/em>(EMBARC standards) for U.S. flag SOLAS vessels engaged in international trade.\u00a0 We believe these standards will help ensure a safe and healthy work environment for our cadets onboard these vessels.<\/p>\n The Consortium of State Maritime Academies fully embraces the core tenets of the EMBARC plan.\u00a0 We are committed to working closely with MARAD and our industry partners in a concerted effort to develop policies and procedures that will apply to all companies that supply berths on board their vessels for cadets and midshipmen enrolled at a state maritime academy.\u00a0 Should an industry partner lack resources to fully participate in the EMBARC program, we will work with them and our Title IX coordinators to develop a plan that addresses our mutual concerns and provides an EMBARC-equivalent standard of cadet care.<\/p>\n Sincerely,<\/p>\n RADM William J. Brennan, Ph.D. RADM Gerard P. Achenbach, Ed.D. RADM Michael A. Alfultis, USMS, Ph.D. RADM Thomas A. Cropper RADM Francis X. McDonald, LPD RADM Michael Fossum
\nPresident
\nMaine Maritime Academy
\nCastine, ME<\/p>\n
\nSuperintendent
\nGreat Lakes Maritime Academy
\nTraverse City, MI<\/p>\n
\nPresident
\nState University of New York Maritime College
\nBronx, NY<\/p>\n
\nPresident
\nCalifornia State University Maritime Academy
\nVallejo, CA<\/p>\n
\nPresident
\nMassachusetts Maritime Academy
\nBuzzards Bay, MA<\/p>\n
\nChief Operating Officer
\nTexas A&M University at Galveston
\nGalveston, TX<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"