US Merchant Marine Academy urged to address raft of 'fundamental' challenges

Extensive changes are necessary at the US Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), according to a scathing independent report made public on Wednesday.

A team from the National Academy of Public Administration — an independent, non-profit organisation studying issues of government — said the federally funded university lacks vision in addressing key issues such as its curriculum and sexual abuse.

It described a short-handed administration focused on getting students their merchant marine credentials with little oversight from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) or Maritime Administration (MarAd).