Parent & Affiliated Organizations

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five federal service academies. It is run by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), which is a division within the Department of Transportation (DOT). The USMMA is an accredited 4-year institution which graduates young men and women with Bachelor of Science degrees and US Coast Guard Licenses. These graduates support the United States maritime and related industries.

One of the APP's core partnering institutions is the Global Maritime & Transportation School (GMATS) and its Research and Special Projects (RASP) division. GMATS is an institution which offers a vast array of education and training programs to benefit professionals in the maritime and transportation industry, including private-sector, military, and government organizations.

Please read about all of the other APP partners on our Links & Partnerships page.

First PV, hydrogen & fuel-cell
prototype, powering a radio in 1996

APP History

USMMA interest in 'alternative energy' began back in 1996 when a small group of students wanted to use wind & solar energy to generate hydrogen for use in fuel cell applications. Before long they had an actual small working prototype.

Student interest grew, and by the fall of 1998 a sizeable photo-voltaic array and wind generator were installed on the roof of the engineering buildings. Shortly thereafter, through partnership with Plug Power and the Long Island Power Authority, Kings Point became a fuel-cell prototype test site.

Interest in this field has only continued to gain momentum. Power management & generation are of the utmost challenges we face as a nation and as a world. The Academy is now in a position of incredible potential. With a proper plan, we can transform our current partnerships and facilities into a world-class "Alternative Power Program." A master plan for these endeavors was therefore written.

On November 3rd, 2004, the Department Head of Engineering, the Assistant Dean, the Dean, and the Superintendent endorsed the "APP Business Plan" upon which this program is founded.

Please visit the Mission & Objectives page for crucial excerpts from that document.

Updated 18 December, 2005.   G.Sachs