Editor's Note

American Shipbuilding has, in my opinion, seen its lowest point, during the past year.” Most of you might naturally assume that this is a recent quote from a high ranking shipyard, government or other informed source regarding the current status of the U.S. marine industry. Wrong! This quote is attributed to the opinion of Captain C.A. McAllister, president of the American Bureau of Shipping, published in the January 1, 1928 edition of Marine Age magazine. This, and something my five-year-old son said recently, struck a chord within me regarding the challenges facing the U.S. ship and boatbuilding industry. Upon coming home from the beach one hot August day, Shane, upon inspecting his “Adidas” sandals, said, “It says that these were made in Indonesia ... I thought everything was made in China.” From the mouths of babes. This month I am pleased to present — with the dogged determination of Bastianelli, Brown & Kelly’s H. Clayton Cook Jr., and the much-appreciated cooperation of U.S. Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert — what I feel is one of the most comprehensive and thought provoking assessements of the U.S. Maritime market, current status and future prospects. Mr. Schubert — in the article starting on page 78 — addresses in a straight-forward manner the needs of the industry by vessel niche, as well as complex topics such as financing options and propects of operating ships profitably. Another traditional maritime powerhouse, Germany, hosts SMM 2002 — arguably the best marine exhibition in the world — later this month in Hamburg. In conjunction with this exhibition, Alan Haig-Brown has recorded in words and photographs — in On the Road with Charles Kuralt-esque fashion — an unparalleled insight to German Harbor Pilots operations. Those of you who enjoyed his coverage of a journey down through the Germany country side aboard the 345-ft. Johannes Von Nepomuk with Albrecht Zöller and his wife Roswitha, are sure to enjoy his experience in North Germany, as presented starting on page 34.