The California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) has secured funding for the acquisition of a new training vessel.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 recently signed by President Joe Biden calls for a US $1.5 billion omnibus appropriations package that includes a funding provision for the academy's future training vessel.
The new Cal Maritime training ship will be the fifth and final National Security Multimission Vessel (NSMV) to be built under a newbuilding contract awarded by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). The NSMVs are designed to provide professional training for future mariners as well as to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions in times of need.
Onboard facilities will include instructional spaces, a full training bridge, and accommodations for up to 600 cadets.
Cal Maritime said the new vessel is scheduled for delivery within five years.
Once in service, the five NSMVs will be owned by the federal government and will form part of MARAD's National Defense Reserve Fleet, on custodial loan to the state maritime academies.
