The three-year commitment to support 18 scholarships is an investment in the future of Puerto Rico's maritime industry.
The Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s (MMA) state-of-the-art training vessel Patriot State made its first port of call on its inaugural Sea Term in San Juan on January 25th. An open house event hosted by TOTE and MMA welcomed nearly 200 students from across the island, along with leaders from across industries, non-profits, and government. Guests toured the ship and its training spaces and learned more about its humanitarian response capabilities and cutting-edge technology.
The Patriot State is the second of five vessels developed as part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program. NSMV vessels are commissioned by MARAD with TOTE Services as the VCM and built by Hanwha Philly Shipyard. This next-generation training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercially owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.
The visit not only spotlighted the significance of the NSMV program but also provided an inspiring opportunity for Puerto Rican students to explore maritime careers and learn about MMA’s academic offerings.
New TOTE Scholarship Program for MMA Students
As part of TOTE Group’s ongoing commitment to investing in education and the maritime industry, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico President Kevin Kendrick announced a new scholarship agreement with MMA during the event. The scholarship program will total $90,000 for students pursuing maritime education, with a particular focus on Puerto Rican cadets.
“This scholarship reflects TOTE’s commitment to Puerto Rico’s future. We believe in fostering the next generation of maritime leaders by supporting programs that provide educational opportunities and inspire young people to consider careers in this essential field,” Kendrick shared. “Across our companies, we are dedicated to investing in youth-focused initiatives and post-secondary education, creating pathways for success and showcasing the exciting possibilities within the maritime industry.”
Rear Admiral FrancisX. McDonald, USMS, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy added, “This event surpassed our expectations. The enthusiasm of the students and community leaders is a testament to the importance of maritime education and the opportunities this vessel offers. We are deeply grateful to TOTE for their generous support and partnership.”
A total of 18 TOTE scholarships will be awarded over three years. The scholarships will prioritize students from Puerto Rico and designated gateway cities, first-generation college students, and those demonstrating financial need. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic performance and their active involvement in the MMA Regiment of Cadets.
Both incoming and current MMA students (including freshmen) are eligible for the TOTE scholarship, which will be awarded by the Academy’s Scholarship Committee with no additional application materials necessary. MMA students should click here to review all the scholarship opportunities available to them.
ABOUT TOTE
TOTE Group encompasses some of the leading transportation and logistics companies in the U.S. domestic market. In addition to TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and TOTE Maritime Alaska, the TOTE Group companies include TOTE Services, which offers crewing and technical services to meet the needs of commercial, privately owned, and U.S. Government vessels. There are two Terminal Operating companies, First Coast Terminals and Puerto Rico Terminals that support the Puerto Rico trade lanes, reaffirming TOTE's commitment to the island and its communities. TOTE Group and its subsidiaries are part of the Saltchuk family of companies. www.totegroup.com
ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY (MMA):
MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB: @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter:@MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
ABOUT THE NSMV PROGRAM:
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training platform for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California, respectively.
This next-generation training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercially owned sealift ships. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMVs will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in times of need.
The NSMV will feature numerous instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and have space for up to 600 cadets to train in a first-rate maritime academic environment at sea. State maritime academies graduate more than half of all new officers each year—the merchant mariners who help keep cargoes and our economy moving. Many also support U.S. national security by crewing military sealift vessels.
In addition to being a state-of-the-art training and educational platform, each ship will feature modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Adding to the NSMV’s capability, it will provide needed roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for use during disaster relief missions, including serving Puerto Rico in the event of natural or other disaster.
Ship specifications will be compatible with the pier length, draft restrictions, and mooring limitations at each of the maritime training academies.