Merchant Marine

The Merchant Marines or Merchant Service was a group within the Federation that operated various survey vessels and freighters. 
, of the , formerly served on a Merchant Marine freighter in the Alpha Carinae region. His ship had at one time visited Alpha Carinae II to conduct a geology survey of the planet for a mining company. () 
The , commanded by Captain R.M. Merik, was a vessel operated by the Merchant Service. Merik joined the Service after dropping out of Starfleet Academy during his fifth year. The training requirements to command a spaceship in the Merchant Service was less than that of a starship captain. ()
William B. Harrison, who was trained as a flight control officer, was also a member of the Merchant Service. ()
== See also ==
*Earth Cargo Service
*Vulcan National Merchant Fleet
de:Handelsmarine
fr:Marine marchande
Category:Federation agencies