On January 17, 2018, the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a public hearing to review the State of the U.S.-Flag Maritime Industry. Led by Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Duncan Hunter and Ranking Democrat Congressman John Garamendi, the hearing clearly demonstrated that absent immediate and affirmative action to bolster the U.S.-flag fleet, our nation will continue to see the available pool of American mariners needed to support he Department of Defense decline to dangerously low levels. Sharing this concern, Maritime Administrator Admiral Mark Buzby reminded the Subcommittee that “mariners are a de facto layer of our national security.” Mr. Bill Van Loo, Secretary-Treasurer of the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, presented testimony on behalf of the seafaring labor unions and Mr. Eric Ebeling, President of American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group, presented testimony on behalf of all the U.S.-flag companies belonging to USA Maritime.