Our concept for a civilian-led, maritime-based Crisis Response Fleet was inspired by Hurricane Ike’s devastating impact to Galveston Island Texas in 2008. Texans, and those in neighboring States, needed hundreds of thousands of tons of supplies and equipment, particularly heavy equipment, to clear debris and to rebuild … Better. Stronger. Faster. The U.S Government’s answer was, in part, to send in the USS NASSAU at a taxpayer cost of $20 million. *

That $20 million could have funded a single large merchant cargo ship for 18-36 months (or 18-36 ships for one month) delivering 180-720,000 tons of supplies and equipment to Texas. ** How many trucks would that have taken? How many aircraft? And how long?

USNRFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by three Navy veterans, two Merchant Marine veterans, and other veterans of government, corporate, and maritime industry expertise.

We are steadily expanding our team to include veteran senior leaders from shipbuilding, ship and port operations, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, maritime education and training, and other government, non-governmental, and private sector organizations. Our team will also include military, maritime and aviation veterans with experience and expertise in expeditionary seaport and expeditionary airfield operations.

We believe the National Response Forces will be the team, mission, and purpose our veterans are looking for. We believe the Crisis Response Fleet will be the “soft power” tool much needed in America’s toolbox.

* FEMA Mission Assignment # 3294EM-TX-DOD-06, dated September 11, 2008
** $20K/day or $7.3M/year. Source: DOT/MARAD September 2011 Report