Senate Committee Approves Merchant Marine Academy Improvements

Thu. May 15, 2008


By Elaine S. Povich

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2008) – The Senate Commerce Committee Thursday unanimously approved a bill to enhance education at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy by hiring more professors and implementing a strong anti-sexual harassment program.

The bill (S. 2997) was approved by unanimous consent with very little debate.

The legislation would authorize the academy to hire adjunct professors and require the academy to prescribe a policy on sexual harassment which would mirror that of the other service academies. It also calls for beefing up the Small Shipyard assistance program.

The bill authorizes about $400 million in FY09 for the activities.

It authorizes 25 adjunct professors to be hired for one year only, to enhance the educational activities of the academy.

The measure also sets up a policy against sexual harassment which must include a program to promote awareness of the incidence of rape and other offenses that involve cadets or other academy personnel. The program also has to spell out procedures that the cadet should follow in instances of sexual harassment and a disciplinary procedure.

Another section of the bill is designed to help small shipyards get grants to build vessels. The bill defines “small” shipyards as those that have no more than 1,200 employees.

It sets up a grant program, the amount for which is not spelled out, that would provide up to 75 percent of the cost.

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