KINGS POINT, N.Y., October 17, 2018 – Today, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) began issuing personal satellite communication devices to Midshipmen who will be signing-on to vessels as Cadets participating in Sea Year training.

The water-resistant devices, which are being distributed for the first time, work in areas where there is no cell phone service. The device which connects to GPS, allows Cadets to send SMS messages to cell phones or email. Each device is preprogrammed to communicate with Academy Training Representatives (ATRs), the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), or Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response contractors. It also allows the recipient to respond directly to the Cadet. 

Distribution of these devices satisfies requirements established in the National Defense Authorization Act by  “ensuring that each cadet from the United States Merchant Marine Academy who is participating in the Sea Year program is provided a functional satellite communication device.”