Posted on September 11, 2024
TOTE Services and Philly Shipyard have christened the second of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs), named Patriot State.
The christening ceremony took place Monday at Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was attended by high-ranking officials including the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Navy.
“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,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) NSMV program aims to provide state-of-the-art, purpose-built training platforms for maritime academies in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, and California.
The program represents a significant advancement in U.S. vessel construction, leveraging a innovative strategic public-private partnership that combines private sector expertise with government needs. TOTE Services is acting as the vessel construction manager for the program, providing the oversight and management to ensure delivery of all five next-generation ships within the six-year timeframe from the contract award and on budget.
“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,” said Jeff Dixon, President of TOTE Services.
The Patriot State is destined for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where it will serve as a state-of-the-art training platform for future mariners.
“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,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, President of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Each NSMV is equipped with instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and room for up to 600 cadets to train at sea. In addition to serving as a training and educational platform, the NSMVs will also provide modern hospital facilities, a helicopter pad, and the ability to accommodate up to 1,000 people during humanitarian missions. They will also have roll-on/roll-off and container storage capacity for disaster relief missions.
The first vessel in NSMV program, the Empire State VII, was delivered to the U.S. Maritime Administation in September 2023.
