What does MARAD do?
Programs of the Maritime Administration promote the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation’s domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of service as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.

MARAD also seeks to ensure that the United States maintains adequate shipbuilding and repair services, efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation systems, and reserve shipping capacity for use in time of national emergency.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/welcome/mission.html
 

What is the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF)?
National Defense Reserve Fleet ships serve as an inactive reserve of vessels which can be activated to help meet U. S. shipping requirements during a national emergency.  More information on the NDRF can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/Headlines/factsheets/PDF%20Versions/Ready%20Reserve%20Force.pdf 

Part of the responsibility for maintaining the fleet is disposing of obsolete ships.  For information on the Maritime Administration’s ship disposal program, go here.
 

What is the Ready Reserve Force?
The Ready Reserve Force (RRF) is a fleet of cargo ships, owned and maintained by the Maritime Administration and managed by commercial companies.  The ships are used to support the deployment of U.S. military forces overseas and in national emergencies.  More information can be found at www.marad.dot.gov/programs/rrf.html
 

Where do I find maritime industry statistical information?
MARAD’s Office of Policy and Plans conducts statistical and economic analyses of the shipping industry, conducts studies and evaluations of MARAD programs, assists in developing MARAD’s strategic and performance plans, and supports the Administrator’s negotiation of multilateral and bilateral maritime agreements.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/MARAD_statistics/index.html

Where do I find information on shipbuilding, ship repair, owner/operators and marine suppliers in improving their international competitiveness?
MARAD’s National Maritime Resource and Education Center (NMREC) provides information at http://www.marad.dot.gov/nmrec/index.html
 

Where do I find information on Cargo Preference?
The Office of Cargo Preference’s primary focus is to promote and monitor the use of U.S.-flag vessels in the movement of cargo on international waters.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/offices/cargo/
 

Where do I find information on Title XI financing?
The Federal Ship Financing Program provides for a full faith and credit guarantee by the United States Government to promote the growth and modernization of the U.S. merchant marine and U.S. shipyards.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/TitleXI/title_xi_program.htm
 

Where do I find information on maritime training and education?
MARAD vigorously supports maritime training and education through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, support of six State maritime academies, and several outreach and continuing education programs.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/tee.html
 

Where do I find information on mariner employment?
Career afloat employment can be found through various maritime organizations.  Information can be obtained at http://www.marad.dot.gov/acareerafloat/index.htm or http://www.gocoastguard.com/Jobs.html
 

Where do I obtain information on merchant mariner records?
Mariner records information can be obtained from the Department of Homeland Security's United States Coast Guard's National Maritime Center.  The Center is located at 4200 Wilson Blvd., 22203, Arlington, Virginia, and can be reached by phone at 202.493.1036 or 202.493.1034.  More information can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/nmc4a.htm
 

Who is eligible for mariner veteran’s benefits?
Qualification eligibility and application instructions can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/gm/nmc/wwiimm.html
 

How can U.S. merchant mariners review their USCG qualifications, provide up to date contact information, and learn about reemployment rights?
More information on the Mariner Outreach System can be found at https://mos.marad.dot.gov/portal/page?_pageid=35,5996&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
 

Where do I find information on MARAD’s regional offices?
A regional office directory can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/welcome/regional%20off_directory.html
 

Where do I find information on my local port authority?
The American Association of Port Authorities provides a member directory at the following web site: http://www.aapa-ports.org/education/index.html
 

Where do I find information on Port Security?
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) provides several web sites for information on port security.  More information can be found at https://www.portsecuritygrants.dottsa.net
 

Where do I find MARAD speeches?
Prepared remarks can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/Headlines/speeches/2006speeches.html
 

Where do I find information on the Adopt-A-Ship program?
The Propeller Club of the United States and the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation supports the teachers and ship crews that are participating in the Adopt-A-Ship program of The Propeller Club.  Classrooms can “adopt” a ship, and, by corresponding with its officers and crew, learn about geography, science, language, and much more—and it’s free.  More information can be found at http://www.marad.dot.gov/education/adopt_a_ship/
 

How do I get information on other Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies?
Go to the main DOT web site at http://www.dot.gov/DOTagencies.htm
 

Where can I file a cruise line complaint?
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has limited jurisdiction over cruise vessels and operators. Primarily, the Commission ensures that cruise line operators who are embarking passengers from a United States port have evidence of financial responsibility to indemnify passengers in the event of nonperformance or casualty. Passengers are not covered by the Commission's financial responsibility program if they did not embark from a United States Port. Relations between the cruise lines and their customers, however, are contractual matters governed by the terms of the passenger ticket.  More information can be found at http://fmc.gov/Informal%20Inquiries%20&%20Complaints.htm
 

How do I obtain information on maritime safety (boating)?
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Boating Safety educates the public on the prevention of accidents, injuries, and fatalities while boating. Information on boating safety course, safety tips, news, recalls, defects, and laws and regulations can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/
 

What is Toys for Tots?
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  This is not a program of the U.S. merchant marine, nor of the Maritime Administration.  To find out how to drop off a toy, how to obtain toys, or how to become a sponsor, visit the following web site: http://www.toysfortots.org/