OPINION: Hold the Bricks, Start the Discussion on the Future of Domestic Shipbuilding

With your first steps as a cadet onto the Maritime Academy campus, your first union dues payment or first line thrown ashore from the tug, you are lectured on the importance of the “Jones Act”. A constant reminder throughout a US Seafarer’s career of commitment, loyalty and support for the legislation. All in the name of National Security, US Job protection and the advancement of the US Flag Merchant Marine. It is a massive and expensive lobbying effort witnessed throughout generations at sea. The effort has been historically successful. That said, there are times when history does not repeat itself.

Those of us who have worked a half century in the industry remember the Boysie Bollinger speeches about the “three-legged stool” describing the Merchant Marine Act of 1920; American-Owned, American-Manned and American-Built. Others stepped up on the soapbox at conference agendas, industry events maritime gatherings and the occasional media report to comment on court cases and decisions that involved an attempt to abolish or circumvent the law. It has been a never-ending debate.

As a company with decades of experience building in the US domestic market, we have a list of accomplishments containing many “firsts” on both coasts, the