First, welcome. I hope you will find this site a useful source of information. I apologize if posting might be sparse for the next couple of days, but I am starting a trial and have to focus on that.
We have previously posted draft letters for midshipmen and for parents/alumni. Here is an updated letter that could be used in connection with the others or on its own.
If you haven’t already, please reach out to your congressman and senators via email and ask for their help. If your representative signed a letter requesting answers from DOT, MARAD, and the Superintendent, please say THANK YOU and ask them to continue to press for answers. MARAD needs to be held accountable for their actions and they need to respond to the taxpayer through their congressional representatives. The representatives that have signed are: Peter King (NY2), Jackie Walorski (IN2), Dennis Ross (FL15), Senator Roger Wicker (MS), Virginia Foxx (NC5), Pete Sessions (TX32), Derek Kilmer (WA6), Chris Gibson (NY19), Kathleen Rice (NY4), Lee Zeldin (NY1), Ron Kind (WI3), Chris Smith (NJ4), Ron DeSantis (FL6), Scott Garrett (NJ5), Leonard Lance (NJ7), Frank LoBiondo (NJ2), or Tom MacArthur (NJ3), Sam Johnson (TX3), John Garamendi (CA3), and Dan Donovan (NY11).
If your representatives have not sent a letter to DOT or MARAD, here is a sample. This is simply a suggestion; please feel free to modify as you see fit!
An open letter to Adm. Helis:
Dear Admiral Helis,
One question, sir. In a comprehensive survey (at least 51%, in toto) of both United States Federal and commercial US Flag vessels, what exact percentage are Federal vessels SAFER, in terms of SASH, than commercial vessels? Please advise source of data yielding the answer. We believe this is the CRUX of the issue confronting us.
Respectfully submitted,
Capt. Gary Vaughan