Obscure Bay Area: Once a sign of military strength, the eerie Suisun ghost fleet has disappeared
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There were once 340 warships.
Standing proud on the water in Suisun Bay, ready to head out and protect the country in a time of national emergency.
But there they sat, unmoved for decades, a floating phalanx on the horizon rusting into the bay, catching passing motorists eye on 680.
The National Defense Reserve Fleet program started in 1946 at the end of World War II. At the time the Navy had a huge surplus of vessels from the war, and Suisun Bay became one of eight places around the coast where the warships were anchored.
(Image MARAD)
For professional maritime training, the 2020 holiday season was bright indeed. In a world clutching for optimism, officials from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) made a series of announcements that will strengthen, expand and intensify America’s maritime academic programs really the maritime industry for at least the next decade, likely much longer. Consider this string of news:
On December 15, MARAD announced cutting steel for the first new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard Inc., in Philadelphia, a critical milestone for the series of purpose-built, state-of-the-art training vessels for America’s state maritime academies, vessels big enough for 600 cadets.
Philly Shipyard Cuts Steel for Second NSMV
Maritime Activity Reports, Inc.
(Photo: Philly Shipyard)
Philly Shipyard on Wednesday marked the start of fabrication for the second of five planned National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV). The purpose-built, state-of-the-art training ships will be used by America’s state maritime academies.
The first steel plates cut by the yard’s state-of-the-art plasma cutting machine will be later joined into a double bottom, mid-ship section.
The occasion was marked by a brief steel cutting ceremony attended by representatives from Philly Shipyard, TOTE Services and U.S. DOT Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Following the initial steel cutting for NSMV I in December, this event signifies the second major construction milestone in the MARAD-led NSMV program.
Photo: Joe Haupt (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is seeking the public s help in determining the future of the world s first nuclear-powered merchant ship.
The NS Savannah was built by New York Shipbuilding Corp. and launched in 1959 as part of President Dwight D. Eisenhower s Atoms for Peace Program to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The ship was removed from service in 1971 and the reactor was defueled. Registered as a National Historic Landmark since 1991, the ship is currently part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) in retention status. All that remains of the vessel s nuclear power plant are its systems, structures and components.