MACC Focuses on Maritime Future

Jerry Fitzmorris, Raytheon Program Manager shows computer systems to Senior Chief Electronics Technician Scott Kelley, and Lt. William Swinford, during the Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) June 6, at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek. The MACC is an annual event providing a forum for open exchange and discussion between government agencies and the maritime community regarding boats and combatant craft. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Suits

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Shanika L. Futrell, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Atlantic

Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., hosted the 10th annual Multi-Agency Craft Conference (MACC) on June 5-7. The conference provided an opportunity for open exchange and discussion during more than 15 technical presentations by a variety of subject matter experts in the maritime arena dealing with military boats and combatant craft.

“This industry is the only one that brings the government agencies and the maritime community together in one place,” said Judy Tukey, MACC coordinator, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock combatant craft division. “Past, current and future world environments have placed increased emphasis on the role of sea-going vessels to prosecute new challenges in homeland security, force protection, littoral warfare and special warfare operations missions.” According to Tukey, operational demands of current military missions require more advanced and stealthier craft, and the MACC is designed to be the annual forum to get the latest innovations to those who need it.

“This conference is extremely important because we need to prepare technology for the men and women out there on deployment who are working together to support global maritime security,” said Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, Commander Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, one of the conference’s keynote speakers. “At the core of an organization is a statement of organizational strategy, mission, purpose and values,” said Brian Persons, from Naval Sea Systems Command, who spoke about research and systems engineering during the conference. “Innovation is the capability of continuously achieving a desired future state.” Nearly 170 exhibitors from various government and commercial organizations showed off their different boats and crafts with more than 35 in-water crafts on display.

“Anyone who wanted to take a test ride in the boats and crafts while viewing the in-water exhibits were welcomed to do so at the vendors discretion,” said Tukey. Participants got the chance to experience marine technical innovations via hands-on, in-water demonstrations, browse the exhibits and speak with vendors about their latest products. They also had the chance to network with other maritime professionals in an informal social atmosphere.