On Sept. 9, TOTE Services, LLC and Philly Shipyard christened Patriot State, the second of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). The Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro both attended the christening.
The 160’x27’x7.5’ ships are the result of a public-private partnership that leverages the design, construction and management of the private sector with the dynamic needs of the US government. TOTE Services noted in a press release that its role as the vessel construction manager provides financial and schedule stability and, in the case of the NSMV program, will result in delivery of all five vessels within six years of the contract award.
"America is a proud maritime nation, a global power largely because of our relationship with the seas," said Buttigieg. "Today, as the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates the new vessel NSMV II Patriot State, we mark a new moment in our seafaring history, including the jobs and opportunities this program has created for the skilled workers of the Philly Shipyard."
Jeff Dixon, president of TOTE Services noted, “The Patriot State is the second of the five NSMVs constructed at Philly Shipyard under TOTE Services’ oversight and management. These vessels not only represent a critical US investment in the future of our maritime industry but exemplify what is possible when we leverage the right expertise and resources to the benefit of our country and the next generation. Serving as the vessel construction manager for these ships is a reflection of TOTE Services’ 49-year history as a leader in the American maritime industry.”
"The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) Patriot State represents a significant leap forward in maritime training and disaster response capabilities. This vessel will not only equip our cadets with the hands-on experience necessary to become the next generation of skilled mariners, it also stands ready to serve our nation in times of crisis, providing critical support in disaster relief operations," noted Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President, Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Following the christening ceremony, the vessel will be delivered to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program is designed to provide a purpose-built training platform for the state maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California, respectively.
This training fleet will address a critical shortage of qualified officers necessary to crew government and commercial owned sealift ships. In addition to providing 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 government sealift vessels, TOTE noted.
In addition to being a 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.
