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3" round US Merchant Marine Patch.
TheUnited States Merchant Marine[1][2]refers to either United States civilian mariners, or to U.S. civilian and federally ownedmerchant vessels. Both the civilian mariners and the merchant vessels are managed by a combination of the government and private sectors, and engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of thenavigable watersof the United States.[3]The Merchant Marine primarily transports cargo and passengers during peacetime; in times of war, the Merchant Marine can be an auxiliary to theUnited States Navy, and can be called upon to deliver military personnel andmaterielfor the military.[4]Merchant Marine officers may also be commissioned as military officers by the Department of Defense. This is commonly achieved by commissioning unlimited tonnage Merchant Marine officers asStrategic Sealift Officersin theUnited States Navy Reserve.[5][6][7]
Merchant mariners move cargo and passengers between nations and within the United States, and operate and maintain deep-seamerchant ships,tugboats, towboats,ferries,dredges, excursion vessels, charter boats and other waterborne craft on the oceans, theGreat Lakes, rivers, canals, harbors, and other waterways.[2]
