The Merge Podcast: THe Role of the U.S. Merchant Marine
In Episode 35 of The Merge podcast, Marque’s Managing Director, Jake Chapman, and Mike Benitez sit down with Captain John Konrad, seasoned mariner and maritime expert, to navigate the vast world of the Merchant Marine.
John, founder and CEO of gCaptain and author of Fire on The Horizon, brings his extensive experience captaining the world's largest ships and managing multi-billion-dollar offshore projects to the table.
The discussion covers a breadth of topics—from the role of the Merchant Marine Academy and the intricacies of the Military Sealift Command to the political waves stirred by the Jones Act. They also delve into the mysterious "ghost fleet" poised for WWIII, historical figures among merchant mariners, and the missteps in the USS Bonhomme Richard fire response.
The episode uncovers surprising insights, such as which military branch is the largest consumer of merchant marine services—hint: it's not the Navy. Full of knowledge yet light-hearted, this episode provides a deep dive into how merchant mariners are integral to national security.