Press Releases

9-10-2026

Massachusetts Maritime Academy Welcomes Congressman Joe Courtney, Champion of the NSMV Program

Visit with Congressman Bill Keating included tour of NSMV Training Ship Patriot State

 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED SEPTEMBER 10, 2026…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning, recently hosted Congressman William Keating, Massachusetts’ 9th Congressional District Representative and longtime champion and supporter of the Academy, along with Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney, who played a pivotal role in authorizing and securing federal funding for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMV) now used by state maritime academies to train the next generation of U.S. mariners.

During their September 9th visit, the Congressmen toured the Training Ship Patriot State, the second training vessel of the NSMV class, a modern fleet built by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to support America’s maritime academies. Delivered to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2024, the 525-foot multipurpose vessel is designed to function as a training ship and an asset for disaster relief operations.

Congressman Courtney played a key leadership role in advancing the NSMV program through his work on the House Armed Services Committee and the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.  As one of the first Congressional champions of the NSMV program, in 2017 Representative Courtney took over as the top Democrat on the Seapower Subcommittee, championing the legislative provisions that authorized the NSMV class of training vessels and supporting the appropriations needed to fund their construction.

By creating the Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) Model, advocating for maritime academy training ships, and supporting domestic ship-building, Representative Courtney’s efforts have ensured that state maritime academies—including Massachusetts Maritime Academy—would receive modern, purpose‑built ships designed for mariner training, emergency response, and national security missions.

Representative Courtney has also been one of the most consistent congressional supporters of maritime academies through his work on maritime workforce development, sealift readiness, and MARAD authorization legislation.

The Congressman was elected in 2006 to represent the Second Congressional District of Connecticut. In addition to being the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, he co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Shipbuilding Caucus along with Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia. As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Congressman Courtney serves on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions subcommittee, as well as the Higher Education and Workforce Training subcommittee.

“Seeing firsthand the finished, massive 525-foot training ship, Patriot State, at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy was a powerful vindication of Congressional investment for maritime education and U.S. shipbuilding,” Representative Courtney said. “As Admiral Fran McDonald, the Academy’s President, explained, this state-of-the-art ship has increased enrollment and improved maritime proficiency for a new generation of merchant mariners at all five of our nation’s state maritime academies. The cadets who escorted our delegation on Patriot State, who were part of the first cohort of trainees to set sail all over the globe, gave the ship enthusiastic reviews.”

“I’m proud to join Congressman Courtney in recognizing the Academy’s leadership and the extraordinary opportunities this ship provides for cadets who will go on to serve in commercial shipping, public safety, and national defense,” said Representative Keating. 

“The Patriot State is transforming how our cadets learn and train,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We are grateful for the leadership and support of Congressman Courtney and Congressman Keating, whose efforts helped make this state‑of‑the‑art vessel a reality for the Academy.”

Manuel Meneses, the military and veterans’ representative for Connecticut’s Second Congressional District, accompanied the Congressmen on their tour.

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB:  @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 

 

From left to right - MMA Provost Brigid Pavilonis, U.S. Representative William Keating, U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, and Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, MMA President.

 

Photo 610 (from left to right) - MMA Provost Brigid Pavilonis, Chief Engineer Laura Wilcox, MMA Junior 2/c Annalea Parker (marine transportation major from Mystic, Ct.), U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, and Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, MMA President all in front of the NSMV TS Patriot State.

CONTACT:  Elizabeth B. Simmons, LPD,

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 508-830-6683, esimmons@maritime.edu

Nicole Joy Hales, PRfirst, 617-947-7983, nhales@prfirst.com