Franklin D Roosevelt News

NY Waterway's New Ferry Franklin Delano Roosevelt Enters Service

A new passenger vessel entered service for operator NY Waterway, serving as both a commuter ferry and for scenic tours of the harbor with Big City Tourism.Built locally by New Jersey-based Yank Marine in Tuckahoe, N.J., the 599-passenger Franklin Delano Roosevelt was christened Thursday during a ceremony at Pier 79 in Midtown Manhattan.The FDR is powered by low-emission 2,000-horsepower twin EPA Tier 3 compliant engines and has a service speed of 21 knots. The FDR is 109 feet long and 32 feet wide and draws just six feet of water depth.The new vessel has already seen a lot of action.

Jones Act Waiver Mess

Potential energy shortages in the U.S. northeast this winter have led to arguments that the U.S. Jones Act should be waived. These arguments rarely, however, grapple with what exactly it takes to waive the Jones Act. This is not blameworthy because the Jones Act waiver standard has been a mess. For decades the standard for granting a waiver was interpreted in way as to make it all but meaningless, and now the standard is so strict that waivers are all but forbidden.Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, the so called “Jones Act,” is a “if this, then that” kind of law.

National Maritime Day

“I hold no branch in higher esteem, than the Merchant Marine…”That is a quote from General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander of the Pacific in WWII. That one sentence sums up National Maritime Day. Inasmuch if it were not for our glorious Merchant Marine and maritime industry, we may not even have been a nation at all.National Maritime Day is the day we honor our American Merchant Mariners for protecting our freedom and for their dedication to promoting American commerce together with the accomplishments of the U.S. maritime industry.

Icebreaking Kicks Off on the Great Lakes

It's that time of year.The US Coast Guard announced it has commenced icebreaking operations in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of western Lake Superior.Operation Taconite, launched by Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie on Wednesday, is one of two icebreaking operations that support the Great Lakes. It encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.The authority for Coast Guard domestic icebreaking was created in 1936, by Executive Order 7521 signed by President Franklin D.

Coast Guard Begins Ice Breaking Ops in the Western Great Lakes

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie commenced Operation Taconite, the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, Monday, in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of Western Lake Superior and the St. Marys River.Operation Taconite encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, Green Bay, northern Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Ice breaking operations are based on the following order of priorities: search and rescue…

Managing the New Panamax Containerships

The explosive growth of international boxships is challenging not only the physical infrastructure of North American ports, but also the very nature of the existing supply chains that they impact. The recent dialogue on container shipping has been all about so-called “mega-ships;” those vessels that with larger capacity than those that are already in service at any point in time. In the container trades, as in tanker and drybulk arenas, ocean-going vessels are one link, albeit an important component, within broader supply chains.

WCI Applauds Trump's Cincinnati Visit

Waterways Council, Inc. "WCI applauds President Trump’s visit to the heartland and for his speech today that will surely bring heightened attention to the investment needs of the inland waterways system. Our country has not seen this kind of leadership on infrastructure since President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1930s New Deal to build our locks and dams, or since the 1950s by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to construct the National Defense and Interstate Highway system. Today, Presidential…

FDR’s Yacht Plies the Waters of San Francisco Bay

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential yacht, Potomac, is once again plying the waters of San Francisco Bay after undergoing a maintenance drydocking at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, Calif. Long known as the “Floating White House,” she served as the presidential yacht until his death in 1945. She has a storied past from her start as a Presidential yacht to the King’s yacht (Elvis Presley) and several other lives in-between. Now under management of the Potomac Association, she is under constant care and refurbishment to combat the elements of time.

This Day In Naval History: September 8

1858 - The sloop-of-war USS Marion captures the American slave ship Brothers off the southeast coast of Africa. 1923 - At Honda Point, Calif., seven destroyers are run aground due to bad weather, strong currents, and faulty navigation. Twenty-three lives are lost during the disaster. 1933 - Six consolidated P2Y 1 flying boats of Patrol Squadron 5, under the command of Lt. Cmdr. Herman Halland, make a record formation distance flight of 2.059 miles from Norfolk, Va. to Coco Solo, Canal Zone in 25 hours and 19 minutes. 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims limited national emergency and increases enlisted strength in the Navy and Marine Corps; also authorizes the recall to active duty of officer, men and nurses on the retired lists of the Navy and Marine Corps.

This Day In Naval History: July 13

1812 - The frigate, USS Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, captures the merchant brig, Lamprey, in the Atlantic. 1854 - The sloop of war, USS Cyane, bombards San Juan del Norte (Greytown), Nicaragua, in retaliation for ill-treatment of U.S. citizens. Marines and Sailors also seize weapons and powder in retribution for an attack on U.S. Consular officials for U.S. refusal to pay reparation. 1939 - Rear Adm. Richard Byrd is appointed to command the 1939-1941 U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition. Under objectives outlined by President Franklin D.

This Day In Naval History: April 12

1861 - The Civil War begins with Confederates firing on Fort Sumter, S.C. The Union Navy plays an integral part blockading Confederates, keeping them diplomatically and economically contained from other nations. 1911 - Lt. Theodore Ellyson completes his aviator training at the Glenn Curtiss Aviation Camp at North Island, San Diego, Calif., and becomes Naval Aviator No. 1944 - USS Halibut (SS 232) sinks Japanese army passenger/cargo ship Taichu Maru despite the presence of at least three escort vessels. 1945 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies at Warm Springs, Ga.

This Day In Naval History: March 11

1778 - During the American Revolution, the Continental frigate Boston captures the British ship Martha in the North Atlantic. 1845 - George Bancroft takes office as the 17th Secretary of the Navy. Although he serves in that position only 18 months, he establishes the Naval Academy at Annapolis and encourages the growth and importance of the Naval Observatory. 1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act, which permits delivery of war materials to Allied Powers on credit or lease. 1942 - Lt. John Bulkeley, commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, helps Gen.

AMP Demands Retraction of Jones Act Report

The American Maritime Partnership (AMP), the voice of the domestic maritime industry, today released a statement in response to the sheer number of factual errors in the recent report published by the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure’s (Aii) – Jones Act: Protectionism v. Global Trade. “The publication is littered with fabrications intended to mislead policymakers and we demand a retraction of the report," said Tom Allegretti, Chairman of AMP. “It is shocking that a nonprofit organization led by former senior members of the U.S. military would produce such a factually inaccurate report and take such a myopic view of an important national security issue. They have failed to even acknowledge the fact that the U.S.

New Flag Program Honors US Merchant Marines

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the launch of the United States Merchant Marine Flag Program, which will provide U.S. Merchant Marine Flags for display nationwide, honoring the historic and continuing contributions of U.S. Merchant Mariners to our national defense. The announcement was made by Maritime Administrator Chip Jaenichen during the National Maritime Day celebration in Washington, D.C. “These flags represent the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who for over two centuries have powered American prosperity at sea…

Today in U.S. Naval History: September 8

Today in U.S. 1939 - President Franklin D. 1954 - U.S. 1958 - Lt. R. H. Tabor, wearing a Navy developed pressure suit, completes 72-hour simulated flight at altitudes as high a 139,000 feet. It was another step in the development of the Navy spacesuit, which NASA accepted in 1959 for use by Mercury astronauts. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.

Today in U.S. Naval History: September 5

Today in U.S. 1923 - U.S. Asiatic Fleet arrives at Yokohama, Japan, to provide medical assistance and supplies after Kondo Plain earthquake. 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Navy to form a Neutrality Patrol to report the presence of foreign warships within 300 miles of eastern United States. 1946 - USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt (CVB-42) and four escorts visit Greece to underscore U.S. support for the Greek Government which faced a Communist insurgency. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 30

Today in U.S. 1941 - Japanese aircraft bomb USS Tutuila (PR-4) at Chungking, China; First Navy ship damaged by Axis during World War II. 1942 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs act establishing WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). During World War II, more than 80,000 officer and enlisted women served in the WAVES. 1944 - Naval Task Force lands Army troops near Cape Opmarai, New Guinea. 1945 - Japanese submarine, I-58, sinks USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in Philippine Sea; 316 out of 1,199 crew survived.

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 29

Today in U.S. Naval History - July 29 1846 - Sailors and Marines from U.S. sloop Cyane capture San Diego, Calif. 1918 - Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Queenstown, Ireland 1945 - U.S. warships bombard Hamamatsu, Japan. 1967 - Fire on board USS Forrestal killed 134 members of the crew. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 25

Today in U.S. 1863 - U.S. Squadron bombards Fort Wagner, N.C. 1866 - Rank of Admiral created. David G. Farragut is appointed the first Admiral in the U.S. 1898 - Landing party from armed yacht Gloucester occupies Guanica, Puerto Rico. 1912 - First specifications for naval aircraft published. 1934 - First President to visit Hawaii, Franklin D. 1941 - Bureau of Ordnance issues first Navy "E"certificates (for excellence) for industry. 1943 - Launching of USS Harmon (DE-72), first ship named for African-American. 1990 - USS Cimarron rescues 25 refugees adrift southeast of Subic Bay, Philippines.

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 21

Today in U.S. Naval History - July 21 1823 - After pirate attack, Lt. David G. Farragut leads landing party to destroy pirate stronghold in Cuba. 1944 - Invasion and recapture of Guam begins. 1946 - In first U.S. test of adaptability of jet aircraft to shipboard operations, XFD-1 Phantom makes landings and takeoffs without catapults from Franklin D. Roosevelt. 1987 - Navy escorts first Earnest Will Convoy in the Persian Gulf. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. Naval History: July 10

Today in U.S. Naval History - July 10 1934 - USS Houston takes Franklin Delano Roosevelt on first visit of U.S. President to South America. 1943 - Naval gunfire help Allied troops land on Sicily. It was first extensive use of LST's and smaller landing craft to deliver heavy equipment over the beach. 1945 - 14 carriers from Third Fleet carriers begin air strikes on Japanese Home Islands which end August 15. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. Naval History: May 7

Today in U.S. Naval History - May 7 1779 - Continental Navy sloop Providence captures British brig Diligent off Cape Charles 1934 - USS Constitution completes tour of principal U.S. ports 1940 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Pacific Fleet to remain in Hawaiian waters indefinitely 1942 - Carrier aircraft sink Japanese carrier Shoho during Battle of Coral Sea For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

Today in U.S. Naval History: March 12

Today in U.S. Naval History - March 12 1917 - All American merchant ships to be armed in war zones 1942 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt designates Admiral Ernest J. King to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations, as well as the Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet to which he was appointed on 30 December 1941. 1956 - In first overseas deployment of Navy missile squadron, VA-83 left on USS Intrepid For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.