Officers and crewmembers of the SSWright, a Crowley-managed, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force (RRF) ship, were recently honored with Merchant Marine Medals for Outstanding Achievement for their duties in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The medals were awarded by Jeff McMahon, MARAD ship operations and maintenance officer (SOMO) for Atlantic Operations, while the vessel was recently in port in Morehead City, N.C.
The medals and the MARAD Administrator’s Professional Ship Award recognize the crew’s participation in humanitarian operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where they provided onboard accommodations to nearly 4,000 different emergency responders and almost 10,000 meals. In addition to providing berthing assets, the SS Wright carried an FAA mobile air traffic control tower critical to reopening air transportation to and from the islands, along with a significant number of containers loaded with meals ready to eat (MREs), bottled water and tactical/response vehicles from Philadelphia, Penn., to St. Thomas, USVI.
“The rapid activation and deployment of the S.S. Wright to St. Thomas and success of the mission was unprecedented, thanks to the cooperation and joint effort of afloat and shore-side personnel,” said Crowley’s Mike Golonka, vice president, government ship management. “The entire effort was a true testament of how Crowley – and the maritime industry as a whole – can offer relief during times of great need.”
When not being used during emergencies such as this, the S.S. Wright (T-AVB-3) is a specialty reserve, aviation logistics support container ship. It is part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, which is activated for national defense and emergencies.
About Crowley
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 126-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley Logistics, a singular ocean liner and logistics supply chain division; Crowley Shipping, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of conventional and dual fuel (LNG) vessels, including tankers, container ships, multipurpose, tugboats and barges; Crowley Fuels, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley Solutions, which focuses on government services, including vessel management for government agencies, as well as engineering, project management, naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime, and marine salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at www.crowley.com.
