The new US maritime administrator has paid his first visit to his alma mater since he became its overseer.
Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, a former US Navy official, took over as the chief of the US Maritime Administration (MarAd) last month, 38 years after he graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) with a bachelor's degree in nautical science and a third mate's licence.
MarAd is the federal agency that runs the school that is most often referred to by its location at Kings Point, New York. The academy gets high marks for its education and is on the CVs of top figures in US shipping but it has, nonetheless, faced challenges over its accreditation and controversy over reports of sexual harassment and assault of its cadets.
Buzby arrived on campus by boat and met with faculty, staff, midshipmen and alumni, USMMA said.
He said that as maritime administrator, his three priorities for the agency are the same as when he was a commander of his first navy ship, the destroyer USS Carney — taking care of people, being professionals and being good shipmates.
"In accomplishing our mission, we must put our people first," Buzby said. "I expect everybody to be a professional, and I expect everybody to be a good shipmate."
