Us Merchant Marine Mobilization for Haiti Relief, Research Paper Example

In response to the massive earthquake on January 12, 2010, relief has been given from the Maritime Administration (MARAD).  This source of relief has been coordinated by others from the United States Government, in efforts to give aid to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. This measure represents an arguably necessary extension of support, in regards to a healthy and active response to assist those in Haiti.

Background

MARAD serves waterborne transportation acts within the U.S. Department of Transportation.  It serves a number of purposes during peace time such as the transportation of cargo and passengers, and in times of war it is an auxiliary to the Navy, where it may be called to deliver troops and supplies to the military.  One of its available functions, which is serves in relationship to the currently analyzed issue, is within areas of security, environment, and safety, including emergencies.

The role of MARAD can be seen in relationship to one of support in the earthquake that has struck Haiti.  Utilized by the government, MARAD comes into play with the wide relief effort from the United States.  Seeking to aid Haiti in many different manners for the effort, MARAD is utilized for the strengths of the ships it has sent.

Literature Review

The sources that have described the mobilization by MARAD perform a comprehensive set on information needed.  From the U.S. Department of State, the article has described in detail many of the relief efforts that the United States Government has performed.  It includes a great deal of facts and figures, such as values for funds, missions, and workers and citizens.

The article from the MARAD describes the ships that were sent for duty in Haiti.  It includes the reasons behind the ships that were issued for Haiti.  It additionally provides a lot of information regarding the ships that were sent to assist the relief efforts in Haiti.

Both articles reveal a great deal of information regarding the appropriate topics, in the relief efforts in Haiti and on the ships that were sent by the MARAD.  It is most helpful when observing the facts and figures of each aspect of the situation, which enables the connection to be made from the need of the ships, to the situation that developed in Haiti.

Further information is needed to truly gauge the effectiveness of the MARAD ships.  Both sources include information regarding the need in Haiti and the capabilities of the ships, yet the reader must draw conclusions based on these sets of facts.  Given that the situation in Haiti is still ongoing, further research and information is needed in order to gauge whether the mobilization has been effective, based upon assumptions of the mission.

Problem Definition / Objectives

The Haiti effort was necessitated by a 7.0 M_w earthquake near the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Government has launched considerable efforts in order to provide different levels of assistance to the nation of Haiti.  Military personnel and aid workers immediately arrived to deliver assistance, shortly after the earthquake took place on January 12^th.

According to the U.S. Department of State, there is a significant priority given to supplying Haiti with water, in respect to the efforts to supply the nation with food and water needs.  For instance, on January 19^th, 2010, there were 152,000 liters of bulk water and over 165,000 water bottles delivered (2010).  Similar numbers describe the aggressive relief efforts to supply those in Haiti with water and daily rations.  The efforts were initially supported by U.S. military aircraft, helicopters, and vessels.

Haiti relief efforts have also involved a great deal of personnel, which is another important condition to the needs of the situation relative to the MARAD.  The U.S. Department of State reports that, as of January 20^th, the relief effort included 11,500 military personnel.  In terms of evacuation efforts, over 6,174 Americans had been evacuated from the area in Haiti (2010).

The relief effort in Haiti was ultimately in need of significant capabilities, which was the underlying condition for the involvement of MARAD.  In addition to the tangible supplies that were required for the significant relief efforts in Haiti, the area would be able to utilize more trained personnel in the situation.  Mobilization of forces, in addition to supplying Haiti with water, food, and other cargo were the chief underlying causes of the involvement of ships by MARAD.

Thesis – Argument and Discussion

The earthquake in Haiti represents one of the most destructive forces to hit the area, and a significant disaster that affected millions.  In the humanitarian efforts established and carried out by the United States, as well as other countries, a significant need was in place in the nearby nation of Haiti.  With this fact in mind, the involvement of the U.S. Merchant Marine and the MARAD was necessary, given the United States’ commitment to assistance and the capabilities of the involved ships.

The United States has been committed to providing assistance to those as needed.  As stated in an article published by the Maritime Administration, Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda states that “Once again the U.S. Merchant Marine is answering the call for assistance, as it has done since our Nation began” (2010).  Upon this standard, it is important to realize that it must act in this case as well.

As the need for assistance has been well documented, the ships form MARAD have the capabilities to provide a great deal of relief to Haiti.  For instance, utilizing another quote from Acting Maritime Administrator David T. Madsuda, he states that “These ships and skilled crews are ideally suited to assist in Haiti by providing unique capabilities.  One cargo ship can carry as much as 400 fully loaded cargo planes” (2010).  As such available fleets are available, the ships that were utilized were able to provide unique advantages to relief efforts.  Such advantages simply must be taken advantage of, unless any reasons present themselves for the contrary, which were not the case from the absence of such information.

From these needs and facts, it is easy to see how these resources were needed.  The situation in Haiti required the utilization of many different areas from the U.S. Government, such as the ships sent by MARAD.  In the tragedy and number of citizens which were affected by the January 12^th, 2010, earthquake, such resources should have been utilized, which was the case.

The outcome of these needs and available resources was the mobilization of six ships.  Cape May, Cornhusker State, Gopher State, and Huakai are currently in service, while Petersburg and Alakai were deactivated.  These ships were able to combine a number of advantages on the MARAD ships, such as the Cape May’s ability to carry a great deal of cargo (a sea barge clipper class [SEABEE] vessel), and those of the TACS crane ships of the Gopher State and Cornhusker State.  Other types were utilized, such as the high-speed ferry capable of speeds to almost 40 knots of the Huakai (2010).

Conclusions and Recommendations

The needs of the situation in Haiti were considerable, by mild examinations of the tragedy.  The United States Government utilized a number of resources, spanning departments of the military and humanitarian personnel, as well as others in an aggressive response to the earthquake.  The MARAD ships were well utilized due to their specific cargo abilities, as well as additional and useful advantages of the fleet that was used.

Keeping the needs of the situation and the active response from the United States Government in mind, the involvement of the U.S. Merchant Marine and MARAD ships was relatively necessary.  The abilities of these available ships, as well as the accompanying personnel, represented too much to not take advantage of these abilities.  In the many resources that needed to be delivered, the personnel that was required in Haiti, and in the evacuations that took place, these ships were able to join in the relief effort.

Perhaps the greatest lack of information comes by way of the reported effectiveness of these ships.  According to MARAD, there are no press releases or available updates as to the role of these ships, as well as any accompanying information regarding the MARAD ships in Haiti.  This places a strain on the effects of these ships, as no information has yet been seen.

However it is important to remember that the situation in Haiti is certainly not finished.  Relief efforts are continuing there, and will for some time due to the nature of the events.  As a result, it may not be seen as to the effectiveness of the ships or the results upon the U.S. Merchant Marine Fleet.

Overall the efforts in Haiti represent a relative necessity which took place.  The MARAD reacted to the situation according to its capabilities and the United States Government’s commitment to the call for assistance.  As a result, it is expected that the role of these ships and their effectiveness has and will find itself well within the relief efforts in Haiti.

Works Cited

“Secretary LaHood Announces U.S. Merchant Marine Mobilizing for Haiti Relief.”  Maritime Administration, Jan 18, 2010.  Web.  Mar 12, 2010.

“U.S. Response to Haiti Earthquake.”  U.S. Department of State, Jan 20, 2010.  Web.  Mar 12, 2010.