46 U.S.C. § 51301 (SHIPPING)
§ 51301. Maintenance of the Academy
(a) In General.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall maintain the United States Merchant Marine Academy as an institution of higher education to provide instruction to individuals to prepare them for service in the merchant marine of the United States, to conduct research with respect to maritime-related matters, and to provide such other appropriate academic support, assistance, training, and activities in accordance with the provisions of this chapter as the Secretary may authorize.
(b) Recruitment.—
The Secretary of Transportation may, subject to the availability of appropriations, expend funds available for United States Merchant Marine Academy operating expenses for recruiting activities, including advertising, in order to obtain recruits for the Academy and cadet applicants.
(c) Superintendent.—
(1) In general.—
The immediate command of the United States Merchant Marine Academy shall be in the Superintendent of the Academy, subject to the direction of the Maritime Administrator under the general supervision of the Secretary of Transportation.
(2) Appointment.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall appoint as the Superintendent—
(A) an individual who has—
(i) attained the rank of Captain, Chief Mate, or Chief Engineer in the merchant marine of the United States, or a general or flag officer rank in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(ii) served at sea in any rank;
(B) an individual who has—
(i)
(I) served at sea in the merchant marine, Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or
(II) held a valid Coast Guard merchant mariner credential; and
(ii) demonstrated exemplary leadership in the education of individuals in the Armed Forces or United States merchant marine; or
(C) if a qualified individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B) does not apply for the position, an individual who has—
(i) attained the grade of captain or above in the merchant marine, Navy, Coast Guard, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or colonel or above in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps; and
(ii) served at sea in any grade.
(3) Rule of construction.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Secretary of Transportation may appoint an individual who is the best qualified candidate, even if such individual does not fully meet the criteria described in paragraph (2).
(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(b), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1570; Pub. L. 111–383, div. C, title XXXV, § 3504, Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4518; Pub. L. 112–81, div. C, title XXXV, § 3503, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1716; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1076(i), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1955; Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, § 3506(a), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2777; Pub. L. 116–283, div. C, title XXXV, § 3503(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4399.)
text: Historical and Revision Notes
Revised
Section
Source (U.S. Code)
Source (Statutes at Large)
51301
46 App.:1295b(a).
June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XIII, § 1303(a), as added Pub. L. 96–453, § 2, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 1998.
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2021—Subsec. (c)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 116–283, § 3503(b)(1), inserted “the rank of Captain, Chief Mate, or Chief Engineer in the merchant marine of the United States, or” after “attained”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(B)(i)(I), (C)(i). Pub. L. 116–283, § 3503(b)(2), inserted “merchant marine,” before “Navy”.
2016—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–328 added subsec. (c).
2013—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–239 substituted “In General” for “IN General” in heading.
2011—Pub. L. 112–81 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
Pub. L. 111–383 inserted “as an institution of higher education” after “Academy” and substituted “States, to conduct research with respect to maritime-related matters, and to provide such other appropriate academic support, assistance, training, and activities in accordance with the provisions of this chapter as the Secretary may authorize.” for “States.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Savings Clause
text: Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, § 3506(b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2777, provided that: “Nothing in this section [amending this section] may be construed to require any change to the current leadership of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.”
heading: United States Merchant Marine Academy and Coast Guard Academy Matters; Maritime Administration Requirements
text: Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXV, § 3533(a), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 828, as amended by Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXII, § 7201(i)(3), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1686, provided that:
“(a) Training Course on Workings of Congress.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section [Dec. 22, 2023], the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Maritime Administrator, the Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and such other individuals and organizations as the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate, shall develop a training course on the workings of Congress and offer that training course at least once each year. This course shall be similar in design to the training course required under section 333 of title 14, United States Code, as practicable.
“(2) Course subject matter.—
The training course required by paragraph (1) shall provide an overview and introduction to Congress and the Federal legislative process, including—
“(A) the history and structure of Congress and the committee systems of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including the functions and responsibilities of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;
“(B) the documents produced by Congress, including bills, resolutions, committee reports, and conference reports, and the purposes and functions of those documents;
“(C) the legislative processes and rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives, including similarities and differences between the processes and rules of each chamber, including—
“(i) the congressional budget process;
“(ii) the congressional authorization and appropriations processes;
“(iii) the Senate advice and consent process for Presidential nominees; and
“(iv) the Senate advice and consent process for treaty ratification;
“(D) the roles of Members of Congress and congressional staff in the legislative process; and
“(E) the concept and underlying purposes of congressional oversight within the governance framework of separation of powers of the United States.
“(3) Lecturers and panelists.—
“(A) Outside experts.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that not less than 60 percent of the lecturers, panelists, and other individuals providing education and instruction as part of the training course required by this subsection are bipartisan subject matter experts on Congress and the Federal legislative process who are not employed by the executive branch of the Federal Government.
“(B) Authority to accept pro bono services.—
In satisfying the requirement under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Transportation shall seek, and may accept, educational and instructional services of lecturers, panelists, and other individuals and organizations provided to the Department of Transportation on a pro bono basis.
“(4) Completion of required training.—
“(A) In general.—
Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary of Transportation completes the development of the training course described in this section, and annually thereafter while serving in applicable positions, the covered individuals described in subparagraph (B) shall complete the training course described in this subsection.
“(B) Covered individuals.—
The covered individuals in this subsection are the following:
“(i) The Administrator of the Maritime Administration and the Deputy Administrator of the Maritime Administration.
“(ii) Any official of the Maritime Administration whose appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate and Maritime Administration employees that are serving in a Senior Executive Service position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code).
“(iii) Any Maritime Administration employees whose duties consist of engagement with congressional, governmental, or public affairs, who are appointed or assigned to a billet in the National Capital Region on the date on which the Secretary of Transportation completes the development of the training course described in this section.
“(iv) The Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, Provost, Commandant of Midshipmen, Counsel, and Director of Public Affairs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
“(C) New officials and employees.—
Any Maritime Administration official or employee or United States Merchant Marine Academy official or employee who is a covered individual described in subparagraph (B) who is newly appointed, newly employed in the National Capital Region, or newly employed by the United States Merchant Marine Academy after the date on which the Secretary of Transportation completes the development of the training course described in this subsection, shall complete a training course that meets the requirements of this subsection not later than 60 days after reporting for duty, and annually thereafter, while serving in applicable positions.
“(b) Government Accountability Office Report on Maritime Administration Staffing Requirements.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, a report that includes an analysis of the staffing requirements for effectively executing the mission of the Maritime Administration and an identification of any existing gaps that could impede its operations.
“(2) Contents.—
The report under paragraph (1) shall include—
“(A) an evaluation of the personnel requirements for the successful execution of the mission of the Maritime Administration, including such requirements for—
“(i) those offices that deal with infrastructure, shipbuilding, or student safety;
“(ii) those offices that have significant delays in meeting constituent needs, including offices involved in the processing of permits and grants, or which preform a communication or outreach function to the public, constituents, or Congress (including the Office of Public Affairs of the Maritime Administration);
“(iii) the United States Merchant Marine Academy; and
“(iv) other activities carried out by the Maritime Administration;
“(B) a thorough analysis of any deficiencies or inadequacies in staffing levels, at the time the report is submitted, that could hinder the efficient functioning of the Maritime Administration; and
“(C) recommendations for integrating the findings of the report into the policies and planning processes of the Maritime Administration, with the aim of addressing the identified gaps and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Maritime Administration.
“(c) Coast Guard Academy Improvement Briefing.—
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 2023], the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a briefing on—
“(1) a plan, which shall include timelines and cost estimates, to—
“(A) remediate asbestos, lead, and mold from the Chase Hall of the Coast Guard Academy;
“(B) house not more than two students to a room in Chase Hall; and
“(C) upgrade electric outlet availability and storage space in student rooms at Chase Hall; and
“(2) the increased student housing capacity necessary to allow the Coast Guard to put through sufficient officers to eliminate the current portion of the officer shortfall due to space constraints at the Coast Guard Academy, including the Officer Candidate School and direct Commission Officer Program housed at the Academy.”
heading: Reports on Matters Relating to the United States Merchant Marine Academy
text: Pub. L. 117–263, div. C, title XXXV, § 3515, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3069, provided that:
“(a) Report on Implementation of NAPA Recommendations.—
“(1) In general.—
In accordance with paragraph (3), the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees reports on the status of the implementation of the recommendations specified in paragraph (4).
“(2) Elements.—
Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
“(A) A description of the status of the implementation of each recommendation specified in paragraph (4), including whether the Secretary—
“(i) concurs with the recommendation;
“(ii) partially concurs with the recommendation;
“(iii) does not concur with the recommendation; or
“(iv) determines the recommendation is not applicable to the Department of Transportation.
“(B) An explanation of—
“(i) with respect to a recommendation with which the Secretary concurs, the actions the Secretary intends to take to implement such recommendation, including—
“(I) any rules, regulations, policies, or other guidance that have been issued, revised, changed, or cancelled as a result of the implementation of the recommendation; and
“(II) any impediments to the implementation of the recommendation;
“(ii) with respect to a recommendation with which the Secretary partially concurs, the actions the Secretary intends to take to implement the portion of such recommendation with which the Secretary concurs, including—
“(I) intermediate actions, milestone dates, and the expected completion date for the implementation of the portion of the recommendation; and
“(II) any rules, regulations, policies, or other guidance that are expected to be issued, revised, changed, or cancelled as a result of the implementation of the portion of the recommendation;
“(iii) with respect to a recommendation with which the Secretary does not concur, an explanation of why the Secretary does not concur with such recommendation;
“(iv) with respect to a recommendation that the Secretary determines is not applicable to the Department of Transportation, an explanation of the reasons for the determination; and
“(v) any statutory changes that may be necessary—
“(I) to fully implement the recommendations specified in paragraph (4) with which the Secretary concurs; or
“(II) to partially implement the recommendations specified in such paragraph with which the Secretary partially concurs.
“(C) A visual depiction of the status of the completion of the recommendations specified in paragraph (4).
“(3) Timing of reports.—
The Secretary of Transportation shall submit an initial report under paragraph (1) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2022]. Following the submittal of the initial report, the Secretary shall submit updated versions of the report not less frequently than once every 180 days until the date on which the Secretary submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification that each recommendation specified in paragraph (4)—
“(A) with which the Secretary concurs—
“(i) has been fully implemented; or
“(ii) cannot be fully implemented, including an explanation of why; and
“(B) with which the Secretary partially concurs—
“(i) has been partially implemented; or
“(ii) cannot be partially implemented, including an explanation of why.
“(4) Recommendations specified.—
The recommendations specified in this paragraph are the recommendations set forth in the report prepared by a panel of the National Academy of Public Administration pursuant to section 3513 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1979) titled ‘Organizational Assessment of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward’, dated November 2021.
“(b) Report on Implementation of Policy Relating to Sexual Harassment and Other Matters.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the status of the implementation of the policy on sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, as required under section 51318 of title 46, United States Code.
“(c) Inspector General Audit.—
“(1) In general.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall initiate an audit of the actions taken by the Maritime Administration to address only the following recommendations identified by a National Academy of Public Administration panel in the November 2021 report titled ‘Organizational Assessment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward’:
“(A) Recommendations 4.1 through 4.3.
“(B) Recommendations 4.7 through 4.11.
“(C) Recommendations 5.1 through 5.4.
“(D) Recommendations 5.6, 5.7, 5.11, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 6.6, and 6.7.
“(E) Recommendations 6.1 through 6.4.
“(2) Report.—
After the completion of the audit required under paragraph (1), the Inspector General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available, a report containing the results of the audit.
“(d) Implementation of Recommendations From the National Academy of Public Administration.—
“(1) Agreement for study by national academy of public administration.—
“(A) In general.—
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Public Administration (referred to in this section as the ‘Academy’) under which the Academy shall provide support for—
“(i) prioritizing and addressing the recommendations referred to subsection (c)(1) and establishing a process for prioritizing other recommendations in the future;
“(ii) the development of—
“(I) long-term processes and a timeframe for long-term process improvements; and
“(II) corrective actions and best practice criteria that can be implemented in the medium- and near-term;
“(iii) the establishment of a clear assignment of responsibility for the implementation of each recommendation referred to in subsection (c)(1), and a strategy for assigning other recommendations in the future; and
“(iv) a performance measurement system, including data collection and tracking and evaluating progress toward goals of the Merchant Marine Academy.
“(B) Report of progress.—
Not later than one year after the date of an agreement entered into pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Merchant Marine Academy, shall submit to the Maritime Administrator and the appropriate congressional committees a report on the progress made in implementing the recommendations referred to in subsection (c)(1).
“(2) Prioritization and implementation plan.—
“(A) In general.—
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Maritime Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a prioritization and implementation plan to assess, prioritize, and address the recommendations identified by the National Academy of Public Administration panel in the November 2021 report titled ‘Organizational Assessment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy: A Path Forward’ that Superintendent of the Merchant Marine Academy determines are relevant to the Maritime Administration, including the recommendations referred to in subsection (c)(1). The prioritization and implementation plan shall—
“(i) be developed using the strategies, processes, and systems developed pursuant to an agreement entered into under paragraph (1);
“(ii) include estimated timelines and cost estimates for the implementation of priority goals;
“(iii) include summaries of stakeholder and interagency engagement used to assess goals and timelines;
“(iv) with respect to any recommendation the Superintendent determines is not relevant to the Maritime Administration, include an explanation for the determination; and
“(v) submitted to the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the appropriate congressional committees and made publicly available.
“(B) Audit and report.—
The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation shall—
“(i) not later than 180 days after the date on which the prioritization and implementation plan described in subparagraph (A) is made publicly available, initiate an audit of the actions taken by the Maritime Administration to address such plan;
“(ii) monitor the actions taken by the Maritime Administration to implement recommendations contained in the audit required under clause (i) and in prior audits of the Maritime Administration’s implementation of National Academy of Public Administration recommendations and periodically initiate subsequent audits of the continued actions taken by the Maritime Administration to address the prioritization and implementation plan, as the Inspector General determines necessary; and
“(iii) after the completion of the audit required under clause (i), submit to the Administrator of the Maritime Administration and the appropriate congressional committees, and make publicly available, a report containing the results of the audit.
“(C) Report of progress.—
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the report required under clause (ii) is made publicly available, and annually thereafter, the Administrator of the Maritime Administration shall submit to the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and the appropriate congressional committees a report that includes a description of—
“(i) the actions planned to be taken by the Maritime Administration, and estimated timeframes, to implement any open or unresolved recommendation—
“(I) included in the report of the Inspector General required under subsection (B)(iii); or
“(II) referred to in subsection (c)(1); and
“(ii) an identification of any recommendation referred to in clause (i) for which the Maritime Administration failed to meet a target action date, or for which the Maritime Administration requested an extension of time, and the reasons why such an extension was necessary.
“(3) Agreement for plan on capital improvements.—
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Maritime Administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with a Federal construction agent for the development of a plan to execute capital improvements at the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
“(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees.—
In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
“(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
“(2) the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
“(3) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
“(4) the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
“(5) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.”
heading: Concurrent Jurisdiction
text: Pub. L. 115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3506, Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 2309, provided that:
“Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary of Transportation may relinquish, at the Secretary’s discretion, to the State of New York, such measure of legislative jurisdiction over the lands constituting the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York, as is necessary to establish concurrent jurisdiction between the Federal Government and the State of New York. Such partial relinquishment of legislative jurisdiction shall be accomplished—
“(1) by filing with the Governor of New York a notice of relinquishment to take effect upon acceptance thereof; or
“(2) as the laws of that State may provide.”
heading: Class Profiles
text: Pub. L. 114–328, div. C, title XXXV, § 3516(b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2789, provided that:
“(1) In general.—
Not later than August 31 of each year, the Superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy shall post on the Academy’s public website a profile of each class at the Academy.
“(2) Contents.—
Each profile posted under paragraph (1) shall include, for the incoming class of the Academy and for the 4 classes that preceded that class at the Academy, the number and percentage of students by—
“(A) State;
“(B) country;
“(C) gender;
“(D) race and ethnicity; and
“(E) prior military service.”