First and Fifth New U.S. Training Ships Mark Milestones [Video]

The U.S.’s National Security Multi-Mission Vessel NSMV) program, the first dedicated training ships to be built the five U.S. state maritime academies is continuing to gain momentum. Two of the ships, the new Empire State, and the future training ship for the California Maritime Academy, the first and last ship of the program, marked milestones.

The fifth ship of the class, which gained approval for its funding in 2022, is beginning construction. The ceremonial first steel cut for the ship took place on February 9 at the Philly Shipyard with officials from TOTE Services which is managing the program along with the Maritime Administration and Cal Maritime on hand. They joined together to press the button to start the plasma steel cutting process.

The vessel was added to the program after previous orders for the first two which are for New York’s SUNY Maritime and Massachusetts Maritime. The program was expanded …