What do merchant marines do?

The Merchant Marine plays a crucial role in the transportation of goods and passengers both domestically and internationally, particularly during peacetime. This specialized workforce operates and maintains a variety of vessels, including deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, dredges, excursion vessels, and charter boats. Their operations extend across various bodies of water, such as oceans, the Great Lakes, rivers, canals, and harbors. In addition to cargo transport, Merchant Mariners are essential for supporting maritime commerce, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of essential supplies, and providing services that contribute to the economy. They are also trained to respond to emergencies at sea, making them vital for maritime safety and security. Overall, the Merchant Marine is an integral part of the maritime industry, facilitating trade and travel while upholding high standards of safety and environmental stewardship.