Crowley Honors USMMA Midshipman with the Company’s Maritime Security Enhancement Award
(KINGS POINT, NY; June 19, 2013) – Crowley Maritime Corporation presented U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Midshipman James R. Cameron with the company’s Maritime Security Enhancement Award, during the academy’s 2013 graduation awards convocation last week. The Maritime Security Enhancement Award, established in 2003, is given each year to a USMMA student who demonstrates a strong interest in a port, maritime or transportation security career and who achieves the highest grade in the academy’s transportation security class.
Amelia Smith, Crowley’s manager of corporate and marketing communications, presented the recognition certificate and cash award to Cameron on behalf of Crowley, commenting, “We are proud to present Crowley’s Maritime Security Enhancement Award to such a deserving and dedicated student.”
Cameron, a native of Plainview, NY, and a graduate of JFK High School, majored in logistics and intermodal transportation, graduating with a 3.1 grade-point average (GPA). During his time at USMMA, Cameron gained experience outside of the classroom by serving 70 days as a deck cadet aboard the Yorktown Express, a vessel managed by Crowley company Marine Transport Management. In this role, Cameron had the opportunity to work closely with the chief mate and take shifts on the bridge to assist with navigational duties as the ship transited ports along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, Germany, Belgium and England.
While at USMMA, Cameron also volunteered for organizations such as the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Friends of Jaclyn, both of which are dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer, the Special Olympics, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), an on-campus group that aims to improve relations between the student-athlete and the campus at large, while providing service to the community. Cameron also played football and rugby for the Academy.
After graduation, Cameron will take a commission as a third mate aboard one of 110 vessels operated by the Military Sealift Command (MSC). MSC is the leading provider of ocean transportation for the Navy and the Department of Defense. The organization also sustains America’s war-fighting forces and delivers specialized maritime services in support of national security objectives.
“Midshipman Cameron has displayed high standards in academics, athletics and leadership while at Kings Point,” said Smith. “These qualities will serve him well, as he begins his maritime security career with the Sealift Command. Promoting the development of future industry leaders through this award is illustrative of Crowley’s commitment to world class safety and maritime security programs and to the protection of personnel, vessels, facilities, ports and the environment.”
“This award is very meaningful to me coming from a company like Crowley that holds maritime security in such a high regard,” said Cameron. “The combination of classroom instruction at Kings Point and the hands-on learning on ships, such as the Yorktown Express, has uniquely prepared me for my future in this industry.”
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 121-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides project solutions, transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response through its TITAN Salvage subsidiary; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture through its Jensen Maritime subsidiary; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.
Caption: Top Photo: USMMA Midshipmen James Cameron and Crowley’s Amelia Smith
Caption: Bottom Photo: USMMA Midshipmen James Cameron and his father, Stuart K. Cameron