The Merge

E35 – US Merchant Marine

May 19, 2024

Captain John Konrad, expert on Merchant Marine and national security, discusses the Merchant Marine Academy, Military Sealift Command, Jones Act, ghost fleet, USS Bonhomme Richard fire response, and the biggest merchant mariner customer. Packed with intel and some fun anecdotes, this episode explores the intersection of military, navy, mariner, and national security.

42:59

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Episode guests

Captain John Konrad

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The US Merchant Marine plays a crucial role in national defense by supplying essential goods to the military despite being unarmed.

Challenges faced by the merchant marine include manpower shortages, outdated infrastructure, and lack of resources, impacting fleet readiness and capability.

Deep dives

The Importance of the US Merchant Marine in National Defense

The podcast delves into the critical role of the US Merchant Marine in national defense. It highlights how merchant ships, despite being unarmed, play a crucial role in supplying the military with essential goods and ammunition. The discussion emphasizes the historical significance of the merchant marine, especially during wartime, showcasing examples of past operations and the challenges faced by these mariners.

Introduction

5min

Merchant Mariners and the Significance of National Maritime Day

13min

Shortage of Resources in the US Merchant Marine

17min

The Military Origins and Impact of the Shipping Container Invention

2min

Exploring Famous Merchant Mariners in History

2min

Encounter with the Richest Man in Borneo During Oil Drilling

4min

Don’t miss our newsletter!

Mike and Jake host Captain John Konrad to talk all things Merchant Marine.

We talked about the Merchant Marine Academy, being a merchant mariner, and how they fit into national security.

What is the Military Sealift Command thing, and why does it keep confusing the counting of Navy ships? What is the Jones Act, and why is it so political?

The US has a ghost fleet of ships staged on both US coasts in case WWIII kicks off—but where are the people? Who were the most famous merchant mariners?

What went wrong with the USS Bonhomme Richard fire response? Why is Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge still not cleaned up?

Which US military branch is the biggest merchant mariner customer? Hint….its NOT the Navy.

Tune in for answers to all of the above—and more!

John is the founder and CEO of gCaptain and author of Fire on The Horizon. He is licensed to captain the world's largest ships, has sailed from ports worldwide, and managed billion-dollar offshore construction projects in some of the world's harshest marine environments.

This episode is PACKED with intel, but we still had some fun along the way. You should expect nothing less!

For those interested in #military #navy #mariner #sealift #warfare #shipping #nationalsecurity #defense #nationaldefense

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