President Donald J. Trump signs Executive Order, Dredging Benefits: “Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans into the Merchant Marine.”

Pictured above:  White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, front left, with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, right, and U.S. Maritime Administration Administrator Admiral Mark Buzby, back left, speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House following President Donald Trump’s signing of the executive order supporting the transition of active duty service members and military veterans into the Merchant Marine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Washington. MANUEL BALCE CENETA AP PHOTO

Today, President Trump signed a Military-to-Maritime Executive Order stating in part:  “It’s the policy of the United States to support practices and programs that ensure that members of the United States Armed Forces receive appropriate credit for the military training and experience towards credentialing requirements as a Merchant Mariner.  And it furthers the policy of the United States to establish and maintain an effective Merchant Marine program by providing sufficient support and resources to active-duty and separating service members who pursue or possess Merchant Mariner credentials.”

The Jones Act dredging fleet fully supports President Trump in this important initiative.

Lasse Petterson, Chief Executive Officer of  Oak Brook, Illinois based worldwide dredging outfit Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company (GLDD) commented, “We at GLDD are thrilled that President Trump has chosen to acknowledge and encourage the men and women of our armed forces who are making and have made the transition from military to maritime careers.  In our case, GLDD has 75 veterans who are now career dredging employees, each of whom is making a positive difference in our company, our industry, and our country.”

Maxie McGuire, President of Callan Marine, a dredging company based in Galveston, Texas is more than impressed with President Trump’s decisive action, stating:  “After serving in the US Air Force, my first job opportunity was provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers and their training set me on a path to work in and shape the role of the dredging industry today. I appreciate President Trump’s dedication to policy that provides veterans with open doors to the maritime industry. Honoring our military runs deep at Callan Marine – our fleet of dredges all bear the names of landmark military heroes including the General Patton, the General Eisenhower, the General Pershing, and the General MacArthur (now under construction in Louisiana). Callan Marine provides vital services that keep the maritime industry moving on a daily basis and we are grateful for incentives that allow us to include and honor our military veterans.”

Dale Pyatt, President and CEO of Quincy, Massachusetts based Cashman Dredging and Marine Contracting Company praised the maritime initiative:  “As a company that employs veterans from all military branches, Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co., LLC would like to thank President Trump for his attention to the U.S. Merchant Marine, and his strong support for our military and veterans.  Today’s Executive Order will help the men and women of the Armed Services, who have selflessly sacrificed for our country, transition into the civilian workforce as mariners.  A strong United States Jones Act maritime workforce is vital to our national defense and continued prosperity.  By alleviating the barriers for our veterans, so that their military training is more easily applied to obtaining Maritime credentials, you are also strengthening our vital US maritime economy.  Thank you, Mr. President.”

The dredging industry is a strong supporter of the military.

“The U.S dredging industry maintains the Nation’s seventeen sensitive Navy bases and military terminals.  Further, the U.S. dredging companies have always recruited personnel from the ranks of the Armed Services,” said William P. Doyle, CEO and Executive Director of the Dredging Contractors of America.  “This is a great thing President Trump is doing, keep helping with recruitment of military-to-maritime,” Doyle finished.