National Security Multi-Mission Vessel NSMV - Design
The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel NSMV is a new class of purpose-built ships to provide for the replacement of the current training ships at the State Maritime Academies (SMAs). The NSMV will help to sustain world-class, U.S. maritime training operations at the SMAs by equipping young American mariners with the most modern and adaptable training platform.
The United States has one federal and six state academies dedicated to the training of merchant marine officers. In the past, the Maritime Administration converted training ships from the ready reserve force, funded by congressional earmarks that are no longer available. All state maritime academy [SMA] training ships will need to be replaced over the next decade, and MARAD is working on a proactive programmatic approach to recapitalize these aging national assets with the national security multi-mission vessel (NSMV) fleet. These vessels will be designed as multi-mission assets — for humanitarian/disaster relief and as state maritime academy training ships. NSMV construction will also help maintain U.S. shipbuilding capacity and the associated skilled workforce critical to national defense and the economy.
The NSMV is designed to provide a state-of-the-art training platform that ensures the U.S. continues to set the world standard in maritime training. The ship is outfitted with numerous training spaces to include eight classrooms, a full training bridge, lab spaces and an auditorium. The NSMV has space to train up to 600 cadets at sea, maximizing the capability of the ship and its mission to provide cadets with a world-class education.
In addition to being an educational platform, this vessel is a highly functional national asset, available to support federal government efforts in response to national and international disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. The vessel will have state-of-the-art hospital facilities, a helicopter landing pad and the ability to berth up to 1,000 people in times of humanitarian need. Alongside its humanitarian capacities, the NSMV has a roll-on/roll- off ramp and container storage allowing it to provide aid to damaged ports.
In this role, as a National Defense Reserve Fleet vessel, the NSMV will be equipped to support major federal relief and response efforts, providing medical capabilities and berthing for up to 1,000 first responders, recovery workers, and crew. These vessels are equipped with a rollon/roll-off ramp and cargo crane to facilitate vehicle and container stowage capabilities that enable NSMV to provide critical support equipment and supplies to impacted citizens.
NSMV will improve the quality of training, using modern systems and equipment and incorporating modern teaching and training facilities, adaptive for long-term training support for national and int’l requirements:
- Compliant with all environmental standards (air emissions, ballast water, treated waste water)
- Designed to meet Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) & Public Nautical School Ship (Subchapter R) requirements, classed as a Special Purpose Ship
- Accommodates current and future Cadet capacity demand for at-sea training as defined by SMAs
- Constructed though a commercial company experienced with building ships using commercial design standards and commercial construction practices that are consistent with the best interests of the Federal Government
In September 2015 Herbert Engineering Corp [HEC] completed the concept design of the new National Security Multi-mission Vessel (NSMV) for the U.S. Maritime Administration. The vessel is intended to be the common design for the new training ships for the five state maritime academies in the US to replace the existing older vessels. It will have state of the art diesel electric propulsion, twin engine rooms for safety and for teaching purposes (one engine room running and the other for teaching), accommodations for up to 600 cadets and 100 operating crew, faculty and support staff. Extensive classrooms, training workshops and lab space is provided to give cadets the latest in teaching tools and technology.
The vessels are also outfitted to act as command and support vessels for emergency response and humanitarian assistance, like what was done by the existing training vessels for hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and for the Haiti earthquake. For this purpose the vessels can expand the number of persons accommodated onboard and is provided with RoRo cargo space, cargo crane and deck space for containers and special modules.
