*This account was submitted to MLAA by the victim. She is a member of the class of 2022 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy*
There are more than 50 young, strong, amazing women in my class at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy where I am currently in my Senior/1st Class year. I have not spoken to a single one of those women who has told me that she has not been sexually harassed, sexually assaulted, or degraded at some point during the last 3 years at the Academy or during Sea Year. Most people, and even the leaders of our school, do not seem to understand how serious this problem is, especially at sea.
In our class of approximately 50 women, I know of at least 5 women who were forcibly raped during Sea Year. And I am one of them. When I returned to the Academy after completing my Sea Year, I became a Victim’s Advocate (VA), and the number of girls who have come to me to report a case of sexual assault is absolutely sickening. Since returning from sea I have learned of additional women in lower classes who were also forcibly raped during Sea Year, and I know that in total there are at least 10 young women currently enrolled at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy who were raped during their Sea Year. And there are definitely cases I don’t know about.
This is completely unacceptable. I want to tell the story of my own rape to bring attention to this issue, and to show other women who have been through something like I went through that they are not alone.
My story begins after plebe year when I was sent to a Maersk ship to start my Sea Year. I was 19 years old, and I was excited to finally leave the Academy and go out to work on a real ship. As an engine cadet, I worked in the engine room, and I quickly began noticing a difference in the way men were treated versus how I was treated. My Sea Partner was a male engine cadet and a good friend of mine, and it was obvious that the engineers treated him differently than me.
The 1st Assistant Engineer, a man in his 60’s, often made derogatory comments about women and told me early in the trip that “you should know your place, and it ain’t out here. A woman’s place is in the home.” The 1st was my supervisor and the 2nd in command of the engine department, and I was afraid of him. He was creepy, made romantic passes at me and made crude and demeaning comments about me in front of other members of the engine department. It was a difficult work environment, to say the least, and not what I had expected Sea Year to be like.
After I had been on the ship for around 50 days, we pulled into a port in the Middle East where the officers bought a lot of alcohol and brought it back to the ship. It was going to be a 2-week passage at sea until we reached the next port, and I guess they didn’t want to run out of booze while at sea.
On the first day back at sea after leaving that port, the engineering officers began drinking heavily. In the afternoon/early evening they were all hanging around the pool, which was outside, drinking for at least an hour. My Sea Partner was drinking with them. I did not want anything to do with them or the drinking, but they sent my Sea Partner to my room to bring me down to the pool.
When he arrived at my door, I could tell he was already drunk, so drunk I was actually worried for his safety. I told him I would come down, but I never went to meet them at the pool. Eventually they all came inside and went to the 1st Engineer’s room to continue their party. My Sea Partner and I went to the 1st’s room around 20:00.
When we entered the 1st’s large stateroom I saw the Chief Engineer, the 1st, and the 2nd Engineer (A little later, the 3rd engineer also arrived). Everyone was drunk and being loud, they had loud music playing and the room was filled with cigarette smoke. They immediately began trying to get us drunk.
Until I arrived at Kings Point, I had never drank alcohol in my life. And while I did drink a few times during Plebe year, I was not good at drinking, and I knew that. I’m a smaller girl and these men were all much bigger than me, and could consume more alcohol than me. But my Sea Partner enjoyed drinking, and he was a man, and I felt pressure to fit in, to prove myself, and to be one of the guys—or whatever.
They had all kinds of hard liquor and a lot of very strong beer. I remember there was Maker’s Mark and Bacardi. As soon as I arrived the engineers began forcing shots of liquor on me and my sea partner. They were like animals, drinking straight out of the bottles of liquor, doing shot after shot, being extremely annoying, yelling and laughing and making a lot of noise, and practically shoving shots down our throats. I remember repeatedly wondering if they were being so loud that the Captain would come down to find out what was going on. But I don’t think he would have even cared. Everyone knew the Captain was a big drinker himself and that he tolerated the engineers’ drinking.
My Sea Partner became sick, and went into the 1st’s bathroom where he threw up into the toilet, and I remember the 1st became very angry about the puking and remember him yelling at my Sea Partner. Everything was becoming hazy for me and one of the last things I remember from that room was my Sea Partner throwing up and the 1st saying, “we gotta put this one to bed.”
I don’t remember my Sea Partner actually leaving the room, but later, as I was trying to piece things together, the 2nd and 3rd Engineers told me that they took my Sea Partner to his room after he got sick. Around that time, I blacked out. My best estimate is that within an hour of arriving in the 1st’s room I drank the equivalent of 8-10 shots of hard liquor. My Sea Partner had much more than that to drink as he had been drinking with them for hours.
Around 6 or 7 AM I woke up in my bed completely naked, and began freaking out. My clothes were all over the floor and they were soaking wet, I had a massive hangover, there was blood on my sheets, and I knew immediately that I had been raped. I was a virgin and had been saving myself, and as soon as I woke up I could feel that I was very sore and knew exactly what had happened.
I was in a state of total shock. For at least 20 minutes I sat there on my bed just looking at everything, looking at the scene, looking at my wet clothes, trying to piece together a timeline, and trying to process the fact that I had actually been raped. I was completely terrified. I was the only girl on the ship, and we had about two weeks until we even reached the next port. As I sat there on my bed panicking and trying to piece together what had happened, I only had a few memories from the time I was blacked out.
They were like glimpses through the blackout. The first powerful memory was being in the shower in my bathroom. I was lying on the floor of the shower completely naked, with water falling on me, and the 1st Engineer was standing above me, fully clothed.
The second memory was being in my bed and the 1st Engineer was on top of me and forcing me to kiss him, and I could still almost smell the gross scent of smoke on his breath and I remembered thinking about how gross the smell of the cigarette smoke on his breath was. And then I remember watching him take his clothes off beside my bed, and I remember him standing over me and forcing his penis into my mouth.
I don’t remember being raped, but I know it happened, and I know the 1st Engineer did it.
Sometime after 7AM, while I was still sitting on my bed in shock, my phone rang. It was the 2nd Engineer calling to tell me not to worry about coming to work that day and to take the day off. He made a joke about how much I’d had to drink the night before. They also told my Sea Partner to take the day off. That same day I went to my Sea Partner’s room and I told him the 1st Engineer had raped me.
I was saying “this guy raped me, this guy raped me,” over and over again and telling him that I didn’t want to be on the ship any more.
“Do you want to report it?” he asked me. He was sincere that he would help me report it if I wanted to.
But I told him that I didn’t think anyone would believe me. I was 19 years old and had been drinking and the 1st Engineer was one of the top 4 officers on the ship. All of the top 4 officers were like best friends and had been sailing together for years. I didn’t trust or really even know the Captain, and he was a big drinker and I thought he would probably stand up for the 1st. If it came down to the word of a 19-year-old cadet versus the word of one of his best friends who was he going to believe?
And I was also experiencing an overwhelming amount of shame and guilt, and I worried about getting both myself and my sea partner sent back home and messing up his Sea Year and getting him involved in an investigation. I didn’t know what to do.
Later that day while I was sitting in my room with the door locked, I received a phone call from my rapist.
“I think we really need to talk,” the 1st kept saying. “Please, we really need to talk.” I told him I didn’t want to talk to him, and he kept telling me to come to his room to talk. But I was terrified of him. Finally, I put my knife in my pocket and went to my Sea Partner’s room.
“The 1st is making me come to his room to talk to him,” I told him. “If I’m not back here in 10 minutes, come get me.”
My Sea Partner agreed that he would.
As soon as I arrived in the 1st’s room he told me to close the door and take a seat.
“I think we need to go over some stuff that happened last night,” he said.
“You forced yourself on me last night,” I said.
“No, that’s not what happened,” he said.
Then he began trying to turn everything against me.
“I just helped you back to your room, that’s all,” he said. “And whatever you believed happened, you wouldn’t tell the captain would you?”
It was clear that he was threatening me, and I was very afraid. I didn’t say anything to him in response.
Then he scooted his chair closer to mine until he was right up next to me, placed his hand on my thigh, and leaned in to my face.
“Ok, well you just know that we mariners get lonely out here at sea, ok? Let me know if you ever want to do anything. If you ever want to make something work, I won’t tell anyone.”
It was unbelievable. I just stood up and began quickly walking towards the door.
“Ok, whatever. No one is ever going to believe you,” he said to me as I was leaving his room.
After I left the 1st’s room I immediately went to my Sea Partner’s room. We locked his door and I broke down in tears telling him what had just happened in the 1st’s room.
Neither of us knew what to do. It was awful. I did not feel safe on that ship, but we had two more weeks until we even reached the next port, and I had 50 more days I was supposed to stay aboard. There weren’t many options.
Back in my room I decided that the only thing I could do was to tough it out. No one was going to believe me, and toughing it out was the only option I felt like I had. I was trapped.
But I told myself that I would never allow myself to be alone with the 1st or to work alone with him again. The next 50 days were horrible. I had to continue working for the gross man who raped me, had to see him all the time, every day. And every man who had been in that room drinking that night knew that something had happened to me. I know they all knew, even if they didn’t want to admit it to themselves.
The 2nd Engineer, who was about 35, told me later that he had helped the 1st Engineer bring me to my room and that it was the 2nd’s idea to put me under running water. He said it was something he had learned in the Navy and that he thought it would be funny. But he said that I was fully clothed when in the shower and that he left me with the 1st.
But what did he think was going to happen when he left me nearly unconscious in my stateroom in soaking wet clothes, alone with the 1st Engineer?
After I was raped, everything became different in the engine room. There was a tension and an awkwardness that was very apparent. My Sea Partner began standing up to the 1st when the 1st would say things about me or try to get me to work alone with him. When the 1st tried to get me to work on some project alone with him, my Sea Partner would say, “No, I’d be more comfortable if I was working with you instead of her.” For a cadet to stand up to the 1st like that and for the 1st to back down was an unmistakable sign that the 1st had done something to me. Everyone knew.
And the 1st may have even bragged about what he had done to me to the other officers. One day I was standing in the passageway outside of the officer’s mess where the officers were eating and I heard the Chief Mate say, “how many people do you think [my name] has slept with on this ship!?” They all began laughing.
That ship was hell. But eventually I finished Sea Year and came back to the Academy where I became a Certified Victim’s Advocate (VA). I wanted to help other victims. But that’s when I began to realize how big this problem is, and how difficult it is to advocate for victims at Kings Point and in the maritime industry.
This year I put together a resume to apply for jobs after graduation, and I put “Victim’s Advocate” on my resume. When I went to a resume workshop at Kings Point I was told by two USMMA employees that I should take “Victim’s Advocate” off of my resume because, “It makes people in our line of work uncomfortable, and you wouldn’t want to do that.” That’s the mindset of this school and this industry.
I left it on my resume.
In order to even become a VA I had to interview with Jack Buono, the Superintendent of the USMMA. I was sitting in his office in Wiley Hall when the Admiral said to me, “I know victim’s advocacy is a big thing at this school, and it’s important, but I don’t think any sexual misconduct problem is happening while I’ve been in charge.”
I was stunned, and I replied, “Well, how big of a problem do you think it is? How many people do you think are affected by this issue?”
Buono replied, “maybe 5% of students.”
“Sir,” I said, “I cannot tell you a single girl at this school who has not experienced one of those things.”
His face began to turn red, and he changed the subject.
It has taken what feels like a long time to get over what happened to me and to move past it. My Sea Partner, a few friends, and my family are the only ones I’ve told about being raped. It took me a long time to move past the shame and the guilt, but I’ve realized that what happened to me was not my fault.
On the morning before I was raped, I didn’t wake up with any desire to drink alcohol or any desire to get completely wasted. I didn’t wake up wanting to lose my virginity to a gross old man who was more than 40 years older than me and who had been sexually harassing me. He did those things to me against my will. And I was too young and too powerless to stop him, and too afraid to report him.
But something has to change. It’s terrifying to share my story, even anonymously. But I think that the only way we are going to make change happen is to get our stories out there so that people can understand how serious and widespread these problems are.
I sincerely hope this helps someone.
—Midshipman-X
144 Comments
You are so so brave. This story made me sick to my stomach. To steer this issue for yourself and for other women is just mind -blowingly courageous. These men that did this get to live their disgusting lives while the life of a young woman, someone’s daughter, someone’s friend who had big dreams and goals- is forever changed. Thank you for your perseverance and for the willingness to help others.
Absolutely disgusting these men. Yes you are courageous. Courageous, when you should have never had to be. Yes you are someone’s daughter, someone’s sisters… and all the other things but you are also just somebody period. That alone should stand on its own as for why you should have NEVER been touched. Furthermore, I see in this article that you have profusely defended yourself leading up to your rape. It breaks my heart you have to do this in the first place but we are still living in a world where women are challenged and blamed for the the crimes brought against them. To invade somebodies body, their intimacy, the modality through which intense love, pleasure, safety, and belonging is supposed to be experienced, it’s an assault on the human spirit. This is an insult on your humanity. Much deeper than merely a bodily invasion. These men try to take, but something tells me there is a flame constantly burning within you brighter than anything those men have ever felt in their lifetime. I hope you are feeling the love through your screen my dear on this terrifying and vulnerable day in which your article is released. I may not know you but I do care deeply for you. I am about the same age as you. I am here. I will march with you, pray with you, sign the petitions, and just listen. You are not alone, you never were, you never will be.
Sincerely,
Kira Fox
Speechless and enraged. THANK YOU my dear for giving voice to those women who can’t share their stories and are trapped in a horrible nightmare. You are so brave. I sincerely can assure you that your story is helping to make this world safer for women seafarers and for stopping this culture of impunity for sexual predators.
I am a parent of a male Midshipman. I am overwhelmed with anger by what has happened to you… I am extremely proud of you for having the courage and the ability to speak up and to help others… I am also very proud of your sea partner for standing up for you.
It is amazing that you are so strong that you were able to make it through this ordeal. You will be a successful woman. Please be so proud of yourself and your ability to handle this situation. You truly did an amazing job!
Thank you for your courage and bravery. Im so sorry you went through this, it’s horrid and I pray for your healing and strength to continue as you have so much life ahead of you. Keep shining the light on this issue, most women have experienced sexual harassment in all degrees and situations and it Has. To. Stop!
I’m a 2014 KP graduate and absolutely believe you. I’ve been through many toxic work environments and have heard some of things you’ve quoted. I would encourage you now that you’re safely away from him to report that man to Maersk, his union and the police or he’ll be empowered to continue hurting others. He has no regard for life and shouldn’t be allowed
Thank you for being BRAVE and coming forth with your story; coming forth with your story will save so many other ladies and force something to be done. This was my biggest fear sending my daughter off to any military academy & felt of all the choices USSMA felt the safest. Obviously we have a long ways to go! I pray for strength, peace and comfort as you go forth. Thank you for making a difference.
I too am a parent of a USMMA Midshipmen. I am so sorry for what you experienced, and am grateful you have taken the time and emotional effort to share your story. You are an incredibly strong woman and will experience success as you prepare for graduation. I wish you continued healing.
In the year 2021, it should be well established that what you experienced is unacceptable, illegal, and intolerable. It is my hope that institutions are immediately responsive and supportive of you, to those who speak up, and to all female midshipmen.
Whatever the institutions involved work to not change, they are inevitably choosing.
We can do better. and I agree; It. Has. To. Stop.
Thank you for being so brave and sharing. As a mother of a son at Kngs Point and daughter at the Naval Academy , is there protocol in the academies of what to do in these situations? How to get emergency protection? Please say there is!
Yes. If this situation had been reported at the time of occurrence they would be taken off the ship, but also received an alcohol offense for underage drinking/drinking while on a ship. In their own self-interest a report did not go in, which I assume the 1st engineer of that ship knew would happen.
What bravery you have shown. We need change. I remember cadet shipping and being in my stateroom barely sleeping at night with my knife in my hand and the chair up against the door because my stateroom door wouldn’t lock.
Jack Buono and the culture of the maritime industry are a problem. I guess Jack didn’t get the hint when the Stingray nearly took him off this planet. Too bad some of us dads of these female midshipmen can’t go midieval on his dumb ass and the rest of his pretend officers that cannot seem to run a better ship. We need change and Jack is a denier. Be gone Jack Buono!
This should never have happened and I’m so sorry you had to endure this unspeakable ordeal. Bravo to you for having the courage to speak up. Something needs to change! No young cadet should ever be put in such a helpless situation ever again. I am the mother of a female midshipman at USMMA and we both saw it as a sign of progress that this service academy was increasing the number of females admitted, as well as more women entering the maritime industry. Looks like there is much more work to be done. Thank you my dear for sharing your horrific experience and being a voice for a much needed change. God bless you and watch over you as you forge ahead with your education and career.
I am sorry this happened. I feel it is partly my fault, as I am a female in this industry, I have had similar encounterS and I always felt the same as you- there’s nothing I can do. The times I have spoke up about the blatant sexist bullying and harassment, I’m nodded at and it’s swept under the rug. I feel helpless and I wonder what kind of career I’ve chosen to subject myself to. And unfortunately, the “old school” way of thinking that a lot of us hoped was on the way out the door as that group is approaching retirement, well, it’s not going anywhere. I have sailed with some good people. But being on a ship and seeing those men my age acting/speaking this way with the sexism, the blatant lack of regard for safety and zero tolerance company policies, the “pussy” comments etc, well, it’s deflating and demoralizing.
I’m proud of you.
I am proud of you.
I am a graduate of GLMA and a male. Your story took so much courage and strength to share. Thank you for doing that. Sadly this is the industry we live and work in. I too have experienced sexual assault, although in my years before the academy I have only told a select few. It sickens me to hear of another female experiencing this. For the few personal female friends I have in the industry, they too, have dealt with sexual harassment on every single ship they’ve ever been on. I hope to never endure what I went through again and surely wish female or male didn’t have to either. The Superintendent at GLMA is also a disgusting person. Change needs to happen in this industry.
When you said that the 1st and most of the officers were buddies, that really struck a cord with me. On my first ship all the leadership could basically say and do what they wanted with impunity and I felt that it was useless to report some things that were said because all of my witnesses were buddies with my harasser and I knew they would stand up for him. I think that might be a common theme on many ships.
I am a former Maersk engineer and a make and this story doesn’t just sicken me it angers me. I never knew of anything like this happening on my ships and I hope to God it didn’t but, when reading this I realized it happened either when I was sailing or shortly after I stopped sailing. I hope the females I sailed with would have trusted me enough to report abuse to me.
I guess I am saying this is eye opening, you are very brave sharing this story, very tough for sailing 50 more days there, and I hope you can formally report it to the union, company, and anyone else that can bring you some justice.
I like to think I’m tough but I’ve never gone through what you went through.
Reading this worries me. some how I know maybe what’s happening to me now could come to this.
Reach out to Women Offshore or another group and let us help you! Reach out to the company’s designated person offshore. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to report harassment. Be safe!
Let me say first that as a father of two young ladies, one of whom is enrolled as MIDN at an academy, this is a scenario that has plagued me as a nightmare. Not just as a possibility – within her first year it became clear how much of a real possibility this is, and seeing how incidents are dealt with there only serves to clarify the acceptance of this kind of behavior by many who not only work in the maritime industry as officers but also as leaders, administrators, and instructors at the very institutions that educate the workforce. Neither you or any other woman (or man) in this field should have to deal with psychopathic criminals as crew mates – and as I hope you know, this occurred due to the calculated actions of a criminal – one that is a detriment to humanity on every level, and one who should never be permitted to be so much as an oil wiper. He belongs in prison, plain and simple.
I have had to deal with the administration of the academy regarding sexual harassment issues on more than one occasion, thankfully for nothing as serious as this. I have found it astonishing, though, that there is such a strong disposition to NOT deal with this issue properly, even from leading women who have been in the field long enough to know better. I know that they themselves have experienced different levels of sexual harassment and/ or assault, but somehow the industry-wide inclination to keep Title IX incidents under wraps has trained even them to coercion.
Secondly, I thank you for your courage in making this public. I am sure it was difficult, but I also hope that it was healing for you in some way. Only through bravery such as this does this business have a chance at changing, and although there are many within the industry who will resist, know that most of the modern world’s population is behind you without question – my entire family as well as the two dozen or so individuals in the field with whom I work included. We have all read this article and shared it with everyone we know in the industry, from small vessel captains and crew to retired navy personnel, oil rig workers and tug crew. I have asked all of them to seriously consider sharing this article, commenting, and committing to ending this egregious practice immediately – even if it means destroying professional relationships. We simply must create enough momentum throughout, and prove that there are more of “us” than “them.”
I am a licensed Captain – small vessels, mostly sailing. I’ve raised my two children on board with my wife of 25 years, and my work includes running small tugs, sailing vessels, ferries, deliveries, etc. While my meager 60,000 sea miles running my own vessels may seem a pittance to many, they are all on small vessels, mostly blue water running sailing vessels in the 40’ range. Many of them qualify as hard miles, for certain. There is no room for deferment, where reliance and trust in your few crew mates is absolutely essential – at times essential for your very survival. I have seen many times over how women at sea deliver as complete equals to their male counterparts, and in most cases with superior clarity and endurance. The misogynistic attitude of this “old guard,” if you will, is one that comes out of fear of replacement, plain and simple. Women harbor not only the creation of life, but an even stronger instinctive will to preserve it at all costs. In that basic biological fact alone, I think the industry misses the mark in failing to defend an able woman’s place within the crew of a vessel.
This attitude in the industry is an abhorrent one, one that is consistently swept under the rug by officials who not only fully understand how damaging it is to the individuals involved, but how destructive it is to the industry as a whole. The unfortunate reality, I feel, is that only through hitting the pockets of the industry will real change be forged. While Title IX is federal code, the lack of will to enforce it at sea is alive and well in 2021. If only every woman who was sexually harassed while on board vessels owned by large corporations such as Maersk were given the opportunity and resources necessary to file a class action lawsuit that was public, where they be forced to pay out proper damages that would also hurt the company’s bottom line and PR, possibly then we might see a culture change. Of course this would not be borne out of some moral compass, but out of protecting profits – regardless of the law, corporations are not human beings but mechanisms to profit. Money being their sustenance, and if they must be starved, so be it. As I search for information on this matter, it looks more and more as though these companies have gotten away with continuously settling out of court on a case-by-case basis, forcing accusers to sign NDA’s and keeping details hidden in the dark. It is definitively time to change this tactic and expose this culture once and for all. As they say in war, if you wish to understand the reason behind it, follow the money. Taking away the lavish clothing we often find the king to be weak in both constitution and capacity, while the queen at his side harbors the strength to create life, and is the key to the bloodline’s survival. While this is an archaic metaphor, the soul of it rings true and forever will.
To our fellow male sailors who are reading and contributing here I say this – if you have been working in the business for even a short time, YOU HAVE SEEN SEXUAL HARASSMENT, ABUSE, ASSAULT. You know this happens, and YOU KNOW WHO THE GUILTY PARTIES ARE. While you may have the strength in life to not be that person, your silence makes you complicit in the action. Stand true to your moral compass, and be a part of the seawall that stops this culture dead in the water. Only then can you honestly say you are a sailor with courage enough to ply the oceans of the world. Until then, you are riding on the backs of those who use acts of deceit, treachery, abuse and assault to exhibit their strength. Your actions will be forever clouded by theirs, and therefore lack significance. Make your numbers known, knock the old guard off their throne and REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR POSITIONS OF POWER. They do not deserve to be your or any others’ superior. They do not deserve even to scrub the head.
To my fellow female sailors – your passage is a difficult one. While the demands of your work lie well within your grasp, the conditions within which you must perform will prove turbulent at best. You must work together to solve this conundrum, you must find allies in your male counterparts and DEMAND their assistance. Do not allow them to cower in their bunks, knowing that where there is one there are many more. You may feel they need to lead this cause, but that is untrue. THEY NEED YOU TO LEAD. While officers and captains may dismiss one with ease, they have a very difficult time dismissing a dozen. As our numbers grow your position becomes irrefutable.
As in all forms of battle, use your endurance to your advantage. Plan your course of action as far in advance as you can muster. Don’t just be smarter, know that you ARE smarter. When these criminals round the corner to their quarters thinking they have won only to find shields and handcuffs, and when the corporate interests find bonuses have disappeared in the wake of litigation, your silent rejoicing will echo a triumph not only around the world, but though time itself.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are so brave and please know that what happened to you is not your fault! I am a singlehanded female sailor and was recently sexually assaulted in French Polynesia. This is a major global issue. I would love to see your message spread and generate change! How can I help?
Thank you for sharing your story, as horrific as it is. I have always wondered how the USMMA could put young cadets, sometimes solo or in pairs, on a ship with much older men and consider it a safe environment for them. I hope this opens their eyes. If not, please take it all the way up the chain of command.
I was on a ship, where the 2E had the nickname the rapist, and let me tell you that it was for a reason. 4 girls that I know of. When I went to report him harassing me to the captain and chief engineer, I was told that he was probably just joking around, or that it was just his nature as a person, and suggesting that I wouldn’t want it reported because it would cause me trouble. Waking up to find him standing over my bed, and being told I couldn’t lock my cabin door, made me too afraid to sleep at night, so much so that I would sleep in public areas like a smoke room so I would never be in an area alone with him. And never eating any plates of food left to the side for me because he threatened to roofie my food. Every single female I’ve ever met in the industry has experienced Sexual harassment or assault. And when I tell fellow workers what had happened to me in the past they say that it would never happen on this ship, that they guys would stand up and fight for me… but in reality, they just stand around and watch as us females are obviously uncomfortable. Im sorry this happened to you, and I really hope this gets talked about more, to change the culture in the maritime industry.
Two of my civilian friends were sexually assaulted by the same midshipman at a post-winter ball party. The behavior these midshipmen are enabled into extends beyond the campus and festers there, unchecked by anyone with enough power to do anything about it.
Thank you! I have been silent for 17 years. I have never told a single person for fear of it being my fault. Thank you for speaking up.
I cannot imagine what a nightmare this would have been for you. I hope that you will consider going after him now that you are no longer on the ship. I wish you healing.
wtf! I would kill that freaking man. I feel sorry for you, hoping you are still keeping strong despite of your bad experience onboard. Just keeping staying strong.
If Buono has been in charge since at least 2013, I can tell you that I personally knew at least four women who were assaulted at sea in just my friend group alone.
I was r*ped by two midshipmen at KP several years ago.
Their denial is violence.
Hello Brave Lady-
I sailed as a Bosun on tankers and container ships until leaving 30 years ago. On a lark I decided to reactivate my status and sail once again. I was Bosun on a Maersk ship, I know that run well.
I had always found the Officers in the US Merchant Marine much more impressed with themselves than my experience in the Navy or even foreign flag ships I’d often visited in desolate ports or while out on the hook waiting for berths.
But something happened during those 30 years I was away and what I experienced on my return. The “officer arrogance” had alarmingly deepened. Worse yet, deck and engine officer’s recognition of this very obvious problem was conspicuously absent. It affects academy officers worse than hawsepipers but still, a deep culture of superiority has become predominant.
I have two grown daughters. I know when they are afraid of something. So when I saw that “look” on the face of a young female cadet on the Maersk ship I was on, I knew I had to do something. I knocked on the door to her focsle and asked her to visit me where my door was always open except when I slept. She showed up and with almost no prompting from me she broke down and shared her devastating account of abuse at the hands of the 1st AE, who was now Chief on this particular trip.
Knowing this was a one time trip at sea for me (UN-retiring is not for the faint-hearted) I had no qualms marching right up to the Captain to share her similar story of being pressured to drink and then being violated. He knew I would not go away without an answer.
After telling me how things are “these days” he proceeded to go through a well-rehearsed list of deflections, excuses, obfuscations, re-direction of blame and other verbal manipulations. He knew I wasn’t buying any of his baloney. I told him that a crime was committed on HIS ship and if he failed to report it, then I would. Not for the sake of that particular young lady but for the my own sense of duty. That cadet could’ve easily been one of the two female ABs that reported to me…or a daughter.
He promised he would report it to HQ in Virginia. He took statements and acted as if he were following an HR department script. The cadet was reassigned to work directly for the 2AE and other measures to ensure her safety. I took her into the crew mess to dine with us and helped her whenever I could.
Two weeks passed and the Captain called me to his office to inform me that the “Company is going to demote the Engineer by taking off the relieving Chief rotation”. In conversation with the Captain it became obvious that he had concocted the whole story. He had not reported anything to anyone. Now I was pissed and he knew it.
In fact, when we got to Europe the cadet was escorted off the vessel and provided no explanation of what was happening to her. I took her to the airport, got permission to go to the gate with her and see her off. I gave her my contact information and assured her I would stand up for what happened to her.
She only called me once to tell me she left school and went home to her family. She needed to move on. I never heard from her again because she obviously needed to deal with her pain and build a new future as you indicated you’ve been doing.
This is what has happened to the United States Merchant Marine. This is an illustration of how such a proud institution with an honorable tradition has eroded- over time- to a mockery of drunken male-dominated thugs so afraid of losing their company standing, their union seniority or their Coast Guard papers that they will tolerate any injustice no matter how violent and infuriating.
Like the lady said- this is the now the new norm. If any cadets are reading this I encourage you to reach out to the Bosun or the Steward. We may not be officers but I believe any one is as leaders of our departments will keep you safe and stand up for you.
Go with God to you all.
Breaking news: Maersk has identified and suspended the five naval officers. Maersk has launched a comprehensive investigation into the process and warns of changes in the control mechanisms that should have secured the company against this type of incident. This is a top news story in Denmark right now.
Palle Laursen, technical manager at Maersk, says that the company is very affected by the information that has emerged about the case.
“We are deeply shaken by this. The way in which the incident is described is not only contrary to ordinary decency, but also in particular to our values and what we stand for in Maersk. Under no circumstances can this take place, neither on board our ships nor elsewhere in the company, «says Palle Laursen.
Source: https://www.berlingske.dk/virksomheder/uhyggelig-voldtaegt-chokerer-maersk-vi-er-dybt-rystede-over-det-her
Dear Anonymous,
I really hope you will get justice after these horrendous events you’ve been experiencing on board a Mærsk vessel. I can tell you, your ordeal has reached danish media headlines and it must sicken every person reading about it. Your ordeal has gone all the way to the top management of Mærsk and I think you have in more than one sense “rocked the boat” BIG TIME. You are very brave and I wish you all the best and also I wish you and all other women at sea justice. I reslly hope this will change things, so women can feel safe in all male/macho dominated environments.
https://www.berlingske.dk/virksomheder/uhyggelig-voldtaegt-chokerer-maersk-vi-er-dybt-rystede-over-det-her
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your courage.
I have been a mariner for over 40 years. I have been a captain for over 15 years. I have always been supportive of and happy to have women aboard ship. The marine industry for too long has been a primarily male profession.
It is really heartbreaking to me what you and so many other women have had to endure at the hands of misogynists and miscreants within our industry. I was captain aboard a ship that had a sexual assault. It was reported to me and I worked with USCG investigators to interrogate the rapist and see to it that he was brought to justice. The rapist was tried and convicted and jailed.
Not all of us in the industry are spineless enablers. Many of us are responsible mentors and champions of women joining our ranks. Those who are not, need to leave the industry. There is no place for you in the modern merchant marine.
I hope you will stick with this career in spite of this. There are allies for you out here.
Thank you for your strength and leadership and courage.
What a strong story! Thank you! From a mariner’s wife.
I sailed for about 15 years up to the rank of 2nd Engineer. The environment on board ship changes with the change of Command of ship. Its very rare that someone sober takes Command. In our time women were not employed on ship but families used to sail with their spouses and their Kids too. They had to take precautions in getting mixed up with seafarers. Going out on shore leave was also a big task for the families. Mostly Red light areas are near to ports.
Women as seafarers is itself a great sacrifice. I wonder how the women got so much courage to sail on board as life itself is very difficult. The working environment is tough for men and women. The men gets desperate to go for women at every new port ( the saying goes New port, New wife) and in the instance a women is already onboard and lots of wine , dangerous act under the influence of alcohol is likely to happen.
Women seafarers should take extra precautions while mixing with fellow men in work and in leisure time, specially avoiding drinks. Before coming onboard women seafarers should get trained in Self defense and Martial Arts. CCTV cameras should be fitted on board and be monitored from Master Cabin and Head Office of the Shipping Company.
This is not the answer for change.
Your words lead to a focus on ‘women are the issue and they should do this to avoid these things happening’. Men are the issue. The USCG needs to do inspections of people and quality of life when they come and inspect the vessel. Imagine how much that could help the change happen.
You say " the instance a women is already onboard and lots of wine , dangerous act under the influence of alcohol is likely to happen." When you say this you are basically saying that by a woman choosing to drink with her co-workers, she is the one that puts herself in the position to get raped. Oh how wrong you are. Men should have common decency. Men should be able to control themselves. Men need to be better.
When you say "Women seafarers should take extra precautions while mixing with fellow men in work and in leisure time, specially avoiding drinks. Before coming onboard women seafarers should get trained in Self defense and Martial Arts." This is stating that the change lies within women changing their behavior. No change will come until men stop raping other men and women.
This is the mindset that is so dangerous in this industry. The Industry should no longer support the horrible culture of "new port, new wife".
Women should take extra precautions? How about men shouldn’t sexually harass and assault women?
-Male, LT, US Navy.
You show your biases as a man, putting it all on the woman! The problem lies with the men who perpetrate such crimes. You also imply that it has anything to do with sobriety of the man or the master of the ship. Men who rape have their mind set on it before their ghastly deeds. Men who cover it up are not necessarily drunk at the time. You should keep your biases out of this. And are your going to outfit the entire ship with CCTV cameras? Bedrooms? Bathrooms? You think a criminal minded man cannot find a shielded space? The answer lies not in monitoring but a change of behavior and creating an awareness among all men do that the mindset can change. And even if a free men do not change, others create an atmosphere where it is not acceptable.
Hi, i am a Danish journalist from the publication Jyllands-Posten. Thank you for your courage. If anyone else in the comment section has experienced similar episodes regarding sexual harassment or/and assault in the maritime industry – specifically regarding Mærsk-vessels – feel free to contact me on johann.hansen@jp.dk
If the Captain refuses to take action, when you complain over sexual abuse, please remember that you have the option to call the Designated Person Ashore (DPA). That person refers directly to the board of the company and is there to resolve issues exactly like this.
Brgds,
Ex 2/E, Danish flagged Mærsk vessels
One Time the Captain even DIALED the DPA and handed me the phone!! He left, and we conversed a bit on the phone. I came with a solution in mind, so a "sensitivity talk" was given on the ship and I was allowed to post a poster that said, "Gossip of a Sexual Nature" is also sexual harassment. You know the Gossip . . . the kind only a sick, sex-starved mind could invent.
Dear brave young lady.
I have read your heartbreaking, but also extremely brave, story with tears in my eyes.
I am an Engineer myself, formerly a 1st Engineer as well, and you story makes me sick!
I thank you for coming forward with your horrible story, you will empower other young women to do the same and you will show the sick molestors that they won’t get away with it.
Finally, please don’t think that every Marine Engineer is like him, and don’t be afraid to explore jobs at sea, I promise you that things are getting better as we speak, not the least because of strong powerful women like yourself.
Danish paper EkstraBladet also published the story today in their online edition:
https://ekstrabladet.dk/krimi/19-aarig-jeg-blev-voldtaget-paa-maersk-skib/8902103
The ship in question belongs to the Danish shipping company Maersk, and according to the article, Mr. Palle Laursen (Technical Chief at Maersk) confirms that Maersk has been able to identify both vessel and the five officers involved, who have all been suspended pending a full inquiry.
Dear Courageous Young Woman,
I’m a class of ’88 KP grad, and my son graduated Mass Maritime in 2018. He’s currently serving on a Navy destroyer as a Lieutenant JG, but first sailed on his license with Maersk LL. It was he who brought your post to my attention and we have been talking about it ever since, incensed that you were so blatantly assaulted, and afterwards were treated with such terrible indifference at all levels.
Kings Point had a sexual assault stand down in 2016 after similar attacks on Midshipman, but clearly we still have a serious problem. This kind of criminal behavior should never be tolerated, at sea or ashore. The military also struggles to respond to sexual assault, which is why SEN Gillibrand and other lawmakers have made attacking this crime a priority.
Perhaps the saddest part of all of this is that you and so many women have become accustomed to this kind of harassment and fear as a regular part of your jobs, which doesn’t say much for our society in general. I have a 23 year old daughter, and sad to say, I’m glad she’s not in the merchant marine or the service. But I am in awe of you and all the other women who are brave enough to not quit, and continue to pursue careers at sea.
I sailed merchant marine briefly during the First Gulf War (ironically with MLL), then worked ashore in the industry, while also completing 30 years as an active Navy Reserve SELRES Captain. My full time job is at the Pentagon, but on weekends I am a Command Duty Officer (CDO) at KP (generally on the Saturday PM shift), which gives me a little more insight than most. Being told to remove the references to your CVA qualification on your resume was not only bad advice, but short-sighted, as there actually is a strong demand in both commercial industry and the US Government for individuals with that certification. But I can’t say I’m too surprised, my experience over the years is that both the academic and Whiley Hall staff have a tenuous grasp at best on what’s actually relevant in the real world.
After the 2016 stand down I assume that training at the Academy for both staff and Midshipmen in sexual assault prevention response (SAPR), particularly as part of Shipboard Training, was robustly implemented and supported by senior leadership. I’d be curious to hear if you and the other females agree that’s the case? I know from my discussions with the Midshipmen (while making my CDO rounds and sharing meals in Delano Hall) that there are emergency contact numbers and ‘safe words’ Midshipmen heading out on sea term are given by Shipboard Training. You said you were still two weeks out of port after the incident and 50+ days remaining on your sea assignment (and I completely understand the stress of ‘having enough sea days’ to sit for license), but you should have been removed from the ship as soon as possible. I remember having a male sea partner who was having issues working onboard and his parents contacted their Congressman / Senator, by the next port that kid was marched off as soon as the gangway hit the pier (another resource is contacting any foreign port’s local US State Department Consulate, protection of US mariners is one of their traditional functions). But at sea you are of course completely isolated and communications isn’t always easy. I can’t imagine how scared and alone you must have felt.
From what I’ve read separately on the news it appears both Maersk headquarters in Copenhagen and MLL in the US is now reacting to your post; according to the Danes ‘five officers from that ship have now been relieved.’ I hope they also had their licenses revoked and in the C/E’s case, criminal proceedings are underway. Don’t forget also, while we’re focused on the ship, Maersk and the Academy, the union plays a role in this too, they should also be providing their members with SAPR awareness training. Also I hope someone’s getting to the point that no US flag vessel should have alcohol onboard. I know its out there of course, but when a ship’s senior officer like the Chief Engineer is openly holding parties in his stateroom and administering shots to the Cadets, that’s a massive breakdown in not only leadership on the ship, but a violation of Maersk policy and potentially a danger to the safe operation of the ship (33 CFR Part 95).
I’m sure it was quite a decision for you to publish your story, but you have done a great service to countless other people who have suffered through similar degradations and assaults. You have a depth of courage and commitment that I have no doubt will serve you well throughout your career, whatever you choose to do. Like I said, I’m the Saturday CDO, my office is across from the MOD’s office, and the door is always open.
Jim
Capt Singleton:
You are a credit to your profession and a true gentleman! I am not at all affiliated with the military but I AM a sexual abuse survivor and whenever I see a man stand up for a woman or child and say "This should not have happened to you or anyone, it is NOT your fault" I HAVE to respond! Why? Because it validates the young person inside of me who suffered for years because of what was done to me. The abuse impacted my life in many ways that weren’t great. However once I sought therapy, I too became empowered to have a voice and BE A VOICE for others who have been abused. Just like you do!
My thoughts and prayers go to everyone who has been victimized on these ships and I hope and pray the academies do the right thing and it is no longer common for this to happen and for people to turn their heads and pretend it didn’t happen!
Best wishes to you Sir and thank you again.
Thank you for standing up and speaking out!
I’m very sorry you had to endure this.
Knowing this industry and working on ships for many years, I know exactly what it is like for woman onboard ships, some ships are a living nightmare.
What’s even worse than the actions of the rapist and accomplices, is that the director not taking actions and trying to ignore it.
Sadly ignoring this problem at sea is what has been going on from beginning of time, it’s a rotten industry with poorly run crewing and manning offices among other issues. When isolating 25 people on a ship for weeks, you would think there should be given some attention to the composition of this crew. But obviously there is not, companies just want the positions filled and then expect everything to be fine. When woman gets raped, they can deal with it afterwards and make a mee-too campaign or update company policies to a no rape policy. Then everyone at the office feels happy again. We all know it’s only about their image and
bottom line profits.
Fixing this issue is not going to happen due to the fact that it will cost more money and money is the most important for these companies and stock holders.
Rapists, sexual predators and other mental ill personal will continue to flood into this ships where there is no control of what is going on while at sea.
With the knowledge that I have serving many years at sea, I would not recommend any youngster to go down this path, especially females undoubtable.
Once again, I’m sorry this happened to you and others at your academy. I hope you coming forward will have some kind of affect one way or another.
Beyond the ship
Unfortunately, the sexual harassment in the maritime industry extends to the offices as well. It’s a culture tolerated by the industry. I have been victim to sexual harassment and coercion in the Maersk offices.
My Ex GF was also raped by her Buson and she’s also drunk that time. This happens on 2018 in the Philippines a RoRo Vessel sailing to Catanduanes. I’m the only one who knows about her story because she was afraid to confess it to her family.
Hello.
These small men who looked the other way
are in my mind no real men.
I am a former Chief Officer within the Swedish and Norwegian merchant navys.
And ex. Military.
A few years back during #Me too we male Swedish seafarers suddenly became aware that this hell exists also in Swedish flagged and owned vessels.
And also at the current 2 Swedish academies for Officers.
This sick unacceptable behaviour has been a reality for more than 100 years, and even if the number of assaults are few in numbers each and everyone of them should be brought to prosecution.
Ashore and at sea.
All best to you.
And shame on all predators and those who turn the blind eye.
Robert H
Dear Collegue,
I told only to my best friend that I have been raped when I was a master on board. From my chief mate who entered a Sunday afternoon, the day before disembarks, to my day room closed the room and demonstrated to me who was the master of my life. After years of discrimination (never finished), sexual and verbal harassment and underhand physical approach, this happens when I thought to be safe. I thought. I have hardely fight against this bastard, I shout, I was not impaired by alcohol, but it was not enough. The vessel listens to every breath, but nobody heard my shout. The consequence for me and for my self-esteem, and even part of my sentimental life, are still visible to me.
At that time, what I was able to do was only to warn the Company, without any official reporting to not let any of the young women cadets on their small fleet be below him.
After this happens I have been Captain a few years more. But with a breach in the heart and in my shell. For sure I have been vigilant, even more than before. After a few years, I have had woman cadets and engineer officers on board and I tried my best to keep all under control. I kicked out from the vessel a drunk 2nd engineer, even against paradoxical male solidarity, but it was the best opportunity to save the woman engine cadet from his attention that was not genuine and I noted he dragged behind him another younger person and this need to be stopped immediately.
I never wrote anything about this, thank you to give me this opportunity on this Sunday morning. THANKS
Laura
I’m a 2nd year Marine Engineering student and I saw your blog. Right now I’m contemplating whether is this path for me? or not? Because I think I’m not that tough to get through shiz like this. However, I think in the next years that will come, I will be braver and not get stumped by men. I really wish I could be that woman. I will try to be brave and be a voice for others. We got this girls. This industry should be equal to genders. I hope in the future, girls will not second thought to join the marine industry. Thank you for your story. I hope you are well and healed.
Shin,
Use this app. Stay anonymous. Tell your story to CGIS TIPS give enough to go after who did this to you.
Sam
Hi,
My name is Idha and I am a Norwegian journalist with the Danish media ShippingWatch.
Thank you for your courage and for sharing your story. I have previously put the spotlight on how it is being a woman at sea and I would love to talk to any of you, blog author, or people in the comments. Anonymously of course.
I would love to hear from you. I can be reached at: iv@shippingwatch.com
Again, thank you for your bravery in sharing!
I tried seven years ago to write an editorial for the USMMA student newspaper about the sexual assault problem and it was applauded by the midshipmen editor staff and then denied and never published.
Trust me, the coverups and denial are strategic. Denial is violence.
I am a reporter at CNN and I would love to speak with you about this if you’re willing. My colleague and I are committed to protecting the identity of any sources who wish to be anonymous. You can reach me at melanie.hicken@cnn.com or on my cell or the Signal app at 347.802.5686.
Over 10 years sailing and I only know of one sexual assault – a bosun on cook rape when a consensual relationship turned nonconsensual. In that case the captain tried to sweep it under the rug, but authorities got involved and I believe the captain was forced to retire and the bosun went to trial. I suppose more cases could have been happening that I was unaware of, but as far as I know it’s just been the one in my career.
So in my time at sea I haven’t seen anything besides the one occurrence, but at the same time I’m not surprised at all by your story due to the culture surrounding sailing, and I’m not surprised at all by your interaction with Buono due to the culture surrounding the military.
I do believe the culture is improving, not through the efforts of shipping companies or the military, but by the efforts of the younger generation putting their foot down and raising awareness. The shipping companies and military should be on their hands and knees thanking this new generation, such as yourself, for holding all of us to a higher standard.
There is more work to do, but I do believe with the continued efforts of your generation, and all of us who want a better future, we can continue to move in the right direction.
Saddened to hear of these grown men taking advantage of you. They need to get right with Jesus. Thank you for your courage! You have a lot to offer to this place and to the world and will face many more bad people and behaviors. Stay strong! You are awesome! God bless!
Hi,
I’m a male Uniformed Victim Advocate in the US Navy. I’ve unfortunately had to help several sailors with similar stories of assault and it is very depressing. I think we’re making strides in the right direction but we’re nowhere near where we need to be and is frankly embarrassing that this is even an issue in 2021. I’m sorry this happened to you and I hope in the future those around you stand up against the type of behavior that comes before this.
Thank you young lady for posting your story. Your enormous courage in sharing the tragedy is admirable. I hope your will find some solace in the knowledge that this discussion will prompt some soul searching and thinking among us men (as well as other women), and may help other women.
Hi, I found your story after reading that Maersk have suspended your rapist and four other sailors. Maersk believed you and that’s a huge thing, that you wouldn’t have accomplished without sharing your story.
Take care xx
Hello all, and thank you to everyone sharing their own stories and experiences. I am an investigative reporter at CNN, and my colleague and I would love to hear from you if you have information or a story to share from your time at USMMA or in the industry, and we are committed to protecting the identity of any sources who wish to be anonymous. You can reach me at melanie.hicken@cnn.com or on my cell or the Signal app at 347.802.5686.
Let us all unite with one voice behind ALL of our Midshipmen to say "THIS WILL NOT STAND!" This is neither an isolated issue, nor isolated to a school, a company, or an industry; but this IS the Maritime industry’s inflection point. Speaking as the father of a Mid, our parental advice to our now-adult progeny should reassert that they are all expected to be gentlemen and ladies looking out for the honor their fellow Mids, male and female, and their first duty is to protect one another from the evils of the world that would dare to make them vulnerable and take advantage of them.
If and when the accused are found guilty the punishments must be severe. Unpunished crimes embolden others to commit them again and again. Evil must face consequences.
Midshipman X has a fundamental right to our respect and support. We must listen. We must love.
And if an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, all the other Mids need to know that from this moment forward The System will protect them by giving them the knowledge, skills, and tools required to identify and escape any situation that would attempt to compromise them BEFORE they are at a point of no return. Personal defense training, a culture of camaraderie where having one another’s back extends to all situations and hours of the day, and access to swift, consistent justice will ensure that the scourge of assault is purged.
Emailed to my plebe this afternoon …
Son,
I expect things are stressful on campus with the sexual assault incident gaining national attention and the threat this poses to Sea Year.
My advice as your father:
* Always stand up for your fellow Mids. Be supportive. Be compassionate. Listen. Care. Have each other’s back all the time. Acta non verba.
* Be a force for positive change in all your actions as an adult.
* Never let yourself be pressured into a situation that compromises your judgment or your ability to protect the vulnerable.
* Never turn a blind eye to abuses of power, even if calling them out could be a career-limiting move.
* Encourage your peers to do better when they’re going down the wrong path.
* You are responsible for your own actions and decisions. Never lose control of that.
* As my father often taught me, remember who you are.
* And as our pastor taught us, remember WHOSE you are.
I’m so proud of you !
Thank’s for sharing !
My son was a KP Midshipman. This problem stopped sea year a few years ago and the Maritime folks said their new training on harassments would stop this. False. I’d never encourage my daughter to go into this industry. Women can do the work, probably better then men but the culture is sickening. Who in their right mind would want their daughter exposed to this? I don’t even like the fact that my son is exposed to it. We need more Americans in the industry, I was just talking the other day that I wish the USMMA would expand their class size but girls, it’s not worth it for you. No one is looking out for you. As a KP parent, I’ve been nothing but disappointed in the leadership at the Academy. Old timers (KP alumni) will say they need former KP grads to lead the Academy. That is BS. They need someone who knows how to run a school. Plus, they need more funding for better personnel who work at the school. My son came back to the Academy from sea year and a trip home, and they didn’t have a room for him. It’s left up to student leadership to assign rooms, etc. They had cleaned out his room while he was gone, stored his stuff. It was a Saturday and he couldn’t get a room until Tuesday. Him and another student slept in the day room for three nights. Another time, they let a Midshipmen fly all the way home, only to call two days later to say, "Oh, you have to attend summer school, get back here now". Waste of time and money. I’ve always wondered – why don’t they get someone who has run an Academy successfully and let them straighten out the USMMA?
Because it’s male dominated, it will only change when the women’s voices are supported by the voices of the many male leaders who abhor this behavior. Speak up, step in, be an ally and activist and STOP IT.
Currently a cadet and this makes me want to rethink my choices and leave. I’ve never been so terrified to work. Nobody should ever feel scared of going to work. If anything, working at sea made me so uncomfortable around men.
I’ve always felt like all the sexual comments and attempts I got onboard was all my fault. Yes, I wore tops that showed my shoulders sometimes because it was hot- sue me. I wore a dress when I signed off- how scandalous! A lot of women at sea have this pressure to “fit in” because we are already hated before we even speak. So, if we end up on their good sides, they won’t hurt us right? If we show them we can be “one of the guys “ we’ll be accepted, right? Wrong. It doesn’t matter what you wear, say or do. You can never fully avoid it. I didn’t speak up because I felt like the blame would go towards me. Why did I wear that? Why was I “friendly”? Why did you try to “fit in”? Well, you would think that working with a bunch of married old men with kids would be safe right? Like, why would they even try anything? Don’t they already have a partner and children to worry about? Why do us women, have to assume the worst and just stay silent? Even towards men that are husbands and fathers at work!!! Why does the first time cadet who is still a young girl expected to act more maturely than them?!
All I can say is this- the men working at sea are more dramatic than high school girls. And I wish I could’ve seen this before making such a huge decision.
I’m an old guy, I’m 55. I’m an Able Seaman and I’ve been sailing for a long time. Reading your story reminded me of a young woman who was an exceptional 3rd Mate and one day on watch we got to chatting about this and that when she told me she was leaving the Merchant Marine. I was really surprised she was one of the best mates I’ve ever worked with.
I asked her why she wanted to leave and she didn’t tell me at first, probably because I’m an old sailor. But eventually after a couple more watches I asked her again and she told me because of the sexual harassment. She told me she worked for a captain that would call her to his room and he would open the door and was naked. And all the other stories she told me were so depressing and disgusting. I asked if she reported him to the company and she said she did but they didn’t do anything. I still think about her sometimes because so was so smart and sharp and I hope she’s doing well in whatever new endeavors she has taken on.
Anyway stay brave, keep it up. This old man sailor is with you 100%
My daughter goes to a state maritime academy and she loves the program, her shipmates, the ship, the maritime faculty, the salt, and her future life on the sea. However, her school’s handling of sexual harassment and assault is well described in this forum, both the post and the 60 plus comments. I hope that the state university system which governs this academy will investigate and provide an "true" advocate for the women on campus rather than the current advocate for the institution.
All universities are the same way both civilian and military bc they are a business enterprise and negative press hurt their bottom line. The armed forces including merchant marines included! It is all about good press!
I was sailing as a 3rd Mate standing an in port watch 00-08. It was a pre-positioning ship operated by Maersk. I kept a log of everything the AB was doing to me at all hours throughout the watch. Keep in mind this man was 6’3 nothing but muscle and weighed 300 pounds, we were the only ones awake during these hours.
He would threaten me verbally, even going as far as saying he would kill me and that he knew my home address. It started off with small stuff at first, like throwing out my night food. I would go down to the galley seeing him scrape my plate into the garbage, seeing the cling wrap that said “3M.” And he would purposely not call in the anchor calls every hour and would even sleep on watch in his room.
I tried talking to him saying he needs to do his duties and that’s when it got worse. On multiple times throughout the trip he made romantic passes at me, and I denied him and said I was not interested. He then went a different route by trying to scare me into wanting him. I let this go on for a few weeks because I didn’t want to be like “every other girl in the industry” who cries harassment and never gets another job. Which is another problem is that people feel this way.
It got to the point where not only was he threatening me but also the bosun, CM, and other mates. That’s where I became comfortable in knowing it wasn’t just me and I reported it straight to the CM. Multiple statements were written, verbal warnings along with written warnings. Eventually the company removed him from the ship and sent him to the sister ship.
He is now on another Maersk ship with a promotion to Bosun doing this to other people. He has not only threatened females but males as well. He tried to use the intimidation factor. The fact that harassment and sexual harassment wasn’t taken serious and it’s all on record is shocking to me and this same man is still sailing and was promoted by the EXACT company that removed him from the ship thinking that was a good enough punishment.
“Like other girls calling out harassment” what the duck is that even mean! If they are calling it out is bc it usually happened. Men need to learn there is a certain way to speak to another human being in a professional atmosphere. Verbal or sexual harassment is grounds for termination!
Impossible to express enough sympathy. I have never been comfortable with the way kp ships out their cadets. 2 kids alone at sea with 20 sailors. Many of whom are unfortunately functional degenerates. Some trips for 120 plus days. State schools do it right with the cadets in the majority. Plenty of women to stand up for each other. Much harder for creeps and rapists. Unfortunately they are everywhere. I hope this guy and his enablers are prosecuted. I sail with people I almost consider family, there is no way anyone would have tolerated this from anyone.
Thanks for your story. it is horrifying what you had to go through Definitely hard to come forward. I was referred to a Tips ap that the detectives use in the coast guard. They truly care. Something you might think about. Its called CGIS Tips at the app store.
Sam
As an 11 year 1st engineer with the MEBA and having worked at MLL I find this appalling. The Drinking that takes place on these alleged “dry ships” is out of control and needs to be addressed. The majority of seafarers sacrifice their time away from family to perform a dangerous and stressful job. The added pressure on senior officers creates a substantial level of attrition that allows individuals like this to advance through the ranks and not be noticed before it is too late. I don’t feel there is much hope for the US Merchant marine.
As a former Merchant officer and a fifteen year Naval reservist, I found your story heart wrenching. When will Congress and Marad wake up to the reality of the situation. Putting nineteen year old men and women on ships is a recipe for disaster. I have now read most of the blog posts. Both men and women have fallen prey to deviants in all forms. Life at sea is not easy. We all know that. But it’s time people stopped circling the wagons and create a safe environment to train future merchant officers. Sea year is not that vehicle!!! Since Marad is funding new training ships for the State Academies, we should better use those assets and have all cadets/ midshipmen use them for training. Before the USMMA alumni start to create social media sites and congressional lobbying efforts, perhaps a more circumspect evaluation of the entire ecosystem is needed. There can be no dispute USMAA is failing to protect its mids!!! How many more will be raped or abused before we demand immediate changes. This is not post WW II times. There are not hundreds of blue water ships available for cadets to ship aboard. Why are we we to this antiquated and uncontrollable training system. We need to step back and get our priorities right. One more victim is too steep a price to pay for complacency or misplaced allegiance to a training system that exposes or future officers to grave dangers.
All the safeguards have been ineffective to protect you: the ISM, the MLC, have served no purpose. Hopefully these kind of criminals who work with impunity on ships and think they are sheltered from all justice thanks to isolation, will be banished and judged as a result of actions like yours.
As I read these stories, my feelings ranged from disgust to rage. Although I graduated from KP in the 80s, I can’t in good faith recommend my alma mater or this industry to my daughters or my nieces. The amount of abuse and harassment is stunning. I never witnessed this personally, but in retrospect I am not sure I really looked for indications of this activity and I didn’t have many women on board. Thank you for posting your experience because I was blind to the harassment of male cadets. I have no solutions to these problems. It seem like a very difficult challenge to police all the different shipping firms and unions that comprise our industry. I can only hope that KP will step back and take a hard look at the safeguards needed to protect cadets( cause current systems are not working) !! Our industry is at at a crossroad. Will we accept rape, abuse and harassment or will we forcefully clean up the miscreants that are populating the higher licensed ranks? The answer is obvious yet may seem elusive for so many, As a proud alumni, I think its time for us to step up to proactive measures that are consistent with our values!!!
“Acta Non Verba,"
This has happened so often that I really don’t know what to say anymore. But who is at fault and who is responsible for the rape? Believe it or not, or has awful as this may sound, the victim is the one that is at fault and the one that is responsible. If you leave your vault door open and a robber steals your gold, you can always blame the robber. It was his fault and he was responsible for the theft. He took it. However, it was your fault for leaving the door open and you were ultimately responsible for the care of the gold. You were in charge of the gold regardless of what happens to it. If you lost the gold on your watch, you are to blame because of your lack of or poor judgement.
I am not blaming the victim. People make mistakes all the time. Learn from them. But the author has not learned anything sadly. In her capacity, she should warn people of the dangers of drinking and taking drugs. Yes, these get you raped. Perhaps she didn’t see irony. Ultimately, when you incapacitate yourself, you are at fault and responsible for anything that happens to you. Likewise, when you step into the ocean, don’t blame the sharks when the try to have you. You are responsible for your own safety.
On the other hand, had she not drank or gotten drunk, this would be a totally different matter. That being said, not all rapes are associated with drugs and alcohol. And just to add to this, one drink alone can knock you out.
Regardless of anything I’ve said of if I offended anyone, rememberer this, you are solely responsible for you. Make the right choices to avoid becoming a victim. Don’t drink or do drugs or partake in any crazy challenges that will incapacitate you. And don’t get raped by peer pressure.
people who choose to violate others are the ones at fault for violating others in every other crime. why is it magically this one that’s different?
you know why.
may you suffer the fate of at least brock turner for your doubtless victim(s).
"On the other hand, had she not drank or gotten drunk, this would be a totally different matter. " – Would it? What would it have been? How do you know?
That being said, not all rapes are associated with drugs and alcohol. " – Disproves your own previous statement.
And just to add to this, one drink alone can knock you out." – Seemingly contradicting yourself once again.
Nonsensical repugnant garbage POV.
‘Live and Learn’, even if she had been stone cold sober, she would’ve been raped. Don’t blame her and the alcohol, blame the perpetrator, he should’ve kept his dick in his pants.
Yep! Specially in the armed forces where it never starts like that but with usually begins with little boys making sexual comments about a female or male at work or a the gym as it progresses into an unhealthy and dangerous obsession. (I say dangerous bc there are cases of sexual assault where the victim was later murdered as it happens in the army not long ago). That is where the part of “men get lonely out at sea come from”.
I don’t care if she was walking down the street drunk and naked. No one still has any right to rape anyone. It is absolutely NOT her fault.
So I’m guilty for being sodomized with a broom stick aboard the USS Detroit (AOE-4) for drinking with what I thought were my shipmates? You think I left my vault open on purpose? The hell are you talking about. It was pre meditated sexual assault. Maybe I’ll go rape you instead and then you can tell me how you can learn from that.
Live and Learn, you obviously are ashamed of your own post since you chose not to share even your first name. You can now be considered "part of the problem". You repeatedly used backhanded statements to help justify your beliefs. Let me assist you……you are a pig and a disgusting person. Better not get in any trouble which may land you in jail. If you do and you, yourself, get raped you (according to your own logic) brought it on yourself. I, of course, would not blame you.
I would assume not that Jack Buono, Superintendent of the USMMA, will be resigning his position due to his obvious lack of control within his command.
Dude this comment is so dumb man get your fucking ass out of a ship if this is your mindset. I mean dont even get the fuck out of your house.
This is a very disturbing comment. As the husband of a former NAVY vet who was repeatedly sexually harassed and assaulted while she was serving both here and overseas, your comment shows an absolute lack of humanity and empathy. I wonder how you would feel if this young lady had been your wife or daughter. The rapist should be in a jail serving a life sentence or worse if he has raped whether once or serially. Jack Buono needs to be publicly exposed and penalized in whatever way President Biden deems fit for ignoring this plague that was taking place under his watch.
Live and Learn, Your moral compass is in need of adjustment…. Clearly you don’t have a firm grasp on the basic concept of right and wrong. Your analogy involving the shark neglects one key fact; A shark is an animal, it doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong. Need I remind you what usually happens when an animal attacks a human…. We promptly put it down. She is in absolutely no way responsible for being raped. The 1st used alcohol as his weapon of choice, but it’s no different than had he used a knife. In no universe does her being incapacitated some how make this her fault, partially or otherwise. She (and to a certain extent her Sea Partner) was the only one in that room who DOESN’T bear any responsibility for what happened to her. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"….. I’m a SUNY grad and a guy. I’m sure I bore witness to plenty of cases of sexual harassment in my time there and said nothing. That silence needs to stop…. There were 4 other people in that room and had she gone overboard ALL of them would likely have moved heaven and earth to rescue her because it’s what we’re trained to do. Why is this any different? Any single one of them could have rescued her….. Instead they stood by and watched their crewmate drown…..
See csumstudentvoice.org for the situation at Cal Maritime
I am the parent of a cadet there and I am releived that Ms. Blakely of Cal Poly is now available to the students. CSU is now aware of the dysfunction and look forward to required corrections
Powerful and heartbreaking post, Midshipman X. I absolutely hate that it was necessary; at age 61, I have no doubt that the male-dominated institution will pretend it not real.
Your sea partner did it a great job supporting you. Remarkable. You should have reported, regardless if you were believed or not. It doesn’t matter if you win. What matters is that you took action and did something about it. I’m proud of you forwriting about this, though. Kootos to you.
Please report it. Midshipman Y, Z and others who are unaware of this inappropriate and dangerous conduct are next in line. Only you can save them.
The merchant marines are NO place for a lady. No good came come from it. It is a "good ol’ boys" network, through & through. Always was. Always will be.
All the branches of the armed forces are like this! So are the police! The firefighting departments! Women have had to fight tooth and nail to be accepted! Maybe it is time to shake that good old boys network from its foundation and BBQ with the men still inside.
Horrible story. Good for you for fighting for justice and shining a long overdue light on the industry. Your brave actions to speak out and become an advocate will make important changes for all women in shipping. As this is a government funded program, perhaps a push for a congressional inquiry into sexual harassment during sea year is possible?
Sounds like you got drunk and made a bad decision and now you want everyone else to pay for it. Classic female behavior
Sounds like you’re a misogynistic asshole.
Sounds like you’re an incel.
I got drunk to on my birthday which what I thought were my shipmates. Then when I woke up with a broom up my anal cavity I realized I have been raped. There is yet another story of another sailor who was also raped around the same time I served in the Navy as well. He was aboard an AE and I was aboard an AOE! R u insinuating that we both wanted payback for being raped?
As a civilian Victim Advocate, I am so sorry for the rape and the degradation and the cover up and the treatment that you have endured. I am so very grateful that you found the strength to share your story. It is incredible the power that you have handed fellow victims to come forward and share their stories.
The system is broken and needs a lot of work to protect victims and to dole out punishment strong enough to discourage offenders and cover ups, but the power you all take in saying "I WILL NOT BE SILENCED" is the very first step that we need to drive that systemic change.
I’m sorry that you’ll continue to face despicable treatment and words from the likes of those in these comments. Seems to me that these men who are so forthright in their conviction that women are to blame are just admitting that they are simply just powerless against a female. It’s so very pathetic.
No one ever deserves rape, assault, degradation and torture. Females have been at the core of many wars created by men. I hope that your words start a new type of war because I am here for it, and I stand right next to you in this fight.
I’m so very sorry this happened to you. The MALE dominated shipping industry is very dangerous for women, as are all branches of the Military. Until ALL people wake the heck up and stop this horrific, inhuman behavior by men, these traumas will continue for women of all ages. THIS MUST NOT BE TOLERATED and the guy, Brian, below is typical of many mens’ attitudes. I guess Brian doesn’t have a daughter or sister or mother????? It took a lot of courage for you to tell your story and be a Victims’ Advocate — kudos to you and I hope you get some counseling to help with your emotional and physical healing.
It is also dangerous for men as well bc there sexual predators target both genders. It is true women are targeted much more but men are also targeted as well.
Midshipman X, your courage is astounding. Though, I wish you had never had to find this courage. I work for Maersk, the offshore sector, and your story, as a father with a daughter myself, horrifies me. And so do all of the disgusting, misogynistic (look it up fuck-tards) comments posted below. I have been a proud Royal and Merchant Navy sailor since the age of 16. I will always stand against, and speak out when ever I hear these misogynistic comments, the homophobic comments, and inappropriate sexual comments directed at my crew mates.
Because I am a true sailor.
I’ve got your back when the general alarm goes off in the middle of the night. I’ve got your back when we are donning the fire suits because the fire alarm has gone off. And I will ensure that none of my female colleagues will ever experience this at the hands of myself, or any other crew member on board a ship I sail on.
Anyone that will not is not my sea brother or sister. They are not fit to wear the uniform, or step foot on any vessel I work on.
Thank you for shining a light on the scum of the sea that think that sexual violence/intimidation is ok, that turned a blind eye, that didn’t speak out.
Thank you for being brave enough to speak out.
Than
There are a lot of boys posting here who pretend to be men. Stupid men. Cowardly men. Men who are trash. And they know they are. They posted their full admission here in these Comments. Men who not worthy to crawl before this woman who they abused. Who they abused in their comments here. Who abuse all women. They crawl about as shameless animals. They should fear God but don’t, and consign themselves to hell. They will regret it.
They should be hunted down and treated in the same manner as an example. When the story comes out on the news that retribution exists outside of the courts for those that commit sexual assault, maybe things ok change.
Projection, Dr. Sneed? You took it there, no one else. I was expressing support for a person who was attacked by an amoeba like you. What are you? A 17 year old cadet that still has daddy issues, clearly. Life’s tough enough at sea without the risk of sexual violence. Why shouldn’t women be encouraged in to my industry? I say my industry, because you are clearly not a seafarer.
I hope and pray that you one day have a daughter of your own. And discover your humanity.
One way to solve this would be:
To slather one of his empty glass beer bottles with lube & super glue after he falls asleep, and then shove it up his ass.
Cancel shipping!
Yes, shipping should be illegal. Based.
You are a very strong woman. Thank you.
I’m so proud of you. No one deserves to have their rights and boundaries so viciously violated. I stand with you and all survivors of sexual assault, myself included.
Young lady, If you were my daughter and I found out that you were raped I would literally put my hands around the guys neck and strangle the life out of him! Men are absolute pigs especially this creep he should not only be thrown in jail but be castrated if found guilty and I have no doubt you are telling the truth. In this day and age it’s just incredibly maddening these men exist AND possibly like many do, get away with it it’s despicable behavior and they should all be raped so they know what it feels like to be violated!
I hope you are success in your suit against Maersk and they reimburse you and anyone else who was impActed.
Rape fantasy? LOL. You should be sodomized with a pool cue.
I am wondering what was in the head of all those girls that chose such career knowing that in 99% of the time they would be a sole female on a vessel with a number of men who have been confined for weeks, and sometimes months, without any sexual satisfaction. I would think that anyone with a very bit of a brain would choose a career in such environment exclusively for a desired sexual satisfaction. You have to be extremely stupid or splendidly naïve to believe that you won’t be an object of sexual advances while living and working under such conditions.
I’m sorry but choosing to work in the shipping industry makes it ok to get raped? What fuckin world are you living in buddy. You’re part of the problem.
What you feel doesn’t matter. The fact is, knowing what he is saying, why the hell would any woman put herself in that position? You’re the problem.
You’re the problem. Wanting to do anything professional should never have "the occasional rape" in the job description.
aaaand you are clueless as well.
You, “normal guy” are not normal, or sane. Why should this brave woman have to choose a career path based out of fear of men? Your comment is so clearly sexists it disgusts me. YOU are part of the problem she describes!
As a legitimately "normal guy" I want to punch you in your throat for even attempting to rationalize this. You have to be extremely stupid or splendidly arrogant to think that you are a "normal guy". I think you’re actually a POS.
Creepy Abnormal Guy your thinking may land you in Prison with other Creepy Abnormal Guys that may think you are there knowing that some of them want to rape your cherry juice arse. Warped mind justice department take note of this person…..track…
Honestly dude, go f*ck yourself.
You are sick!!
SINCERELY
Men get raped too dumbass! How would you like if men did this to you for the same reasons? Is that mentality that somehow makes it ok to rape a person to satisfy personal gratification that makes it the problem! U r lucky you don’t identify ur self! The internet community would eat you alive.
You are probably one of those thuggish enlisted idiots aboard a ship that called women either “bitches or hoes”. Bitches bc they turn down your advances or hoes bc they were dating someone on the ship that happened to not be you.
Maybe you are part of those military academy plebes that would had descriptions in South Korean writing behind the name placards of all the female in your grade school (US naval academy class of 2013).
Maybe you are one of those civilian contractor aboard civilian ships that are comfortable enough to speak about your sexual fantasies with other degenerates, which involved having sex with minors simply bc they have reached puberty.
People like you with your “obsolete” way of thinking are an dying statistic! Dinosaurs of a bygone age.
Men are makeup artist, nurses, flight attendant and chef; men can be bloggers, stay at home dads and designers. Should be also expect to be sexually assaulted for being naive enough to seek a career that interest them in an industry dominated by women?
you (sir?) are absolutley clueless.
YOU are 100% the problem. It is a man’s fault for not being able to control themselves enough to work around a female professionally. Women are not objects.
Re: Normal Guy – The sea year requirement isn’t an option for students at USMMA. Are you attempting to imply that females should not be accepted and included at our U.S. federal service academies and in the maritime industry? Or are you stating the obvious, that males who have "been confined for weeks, and sometimes months, without any sexual satisfaction" have the right to get satisfied by taking advantage of an incapacitated 19 year old student that was placed under their care and supervision? This went far beyond "sexual advances". In the real world we call it RAPE. If you do not understand the difference, then you are part of the problematic mindset and culture that must be changed to ensure equal opportunity for the safety of our females in this industry. You are suggesting that RAPE is to be expected and tolerated in this work place environment? Really? What a low bar you have for your gender and the maritime industry.
I was a cadet a long time ago. My sexual attacks happened at the academy and people were tossed out of the Academy. Including me for academic failure. I was having such PTSD that I could not leave my room. Being stalked and intimated by the football team did not help. Could not even go to the Mess Hall for meals. You have the courage to speak out. I did not. Stay strong because I am still suffering from PTSD after 35 years.Stay Strong.
42 years Deep Sea here,
Seen it all. Including rapes, Piracy & worse.
As a ‘Trainee’, I witnessed the 1st females to be indoctrinated into the UNLICENSED schooling in 1981 and overheard what potential problems this would bring from Union Presidents to shipping Company executives. Yes, they were aware, even back then.
NOTHING justifies what happened to this woman, got that? NOTHING! ZERO
I read all 112 comments here and am baffled that nobody brings up the fact that there are facts that tell us, as Humans, that there are certain jobs delegated to one’s gender.
I’ll never be a Kindergarten teacher, and probably shouldn’t be.
99.9% of bricklayers are male.
99.9% of BLAH BLAH BLAH are Female. (NO, I won’t give you the ammo here)
This woman was a well trained Engineer trying hard to further her career but got caught in a trap of what was a PREVIOUSLY Male dominated industry, understood. What happened, happened. And I believe her.
1st of all, I HATE MEARSK LINE from the bottom of my heart. I worked for them many times and ALSO worked for Sea-Land, who they chewed up, spit out, and changed the game.
They’re Danish run and only run American Flag to promote their Empire. They could care less about us or our American laws, but are forced to comply in order to further their agenda.
2nd, and extremely important, is the use of drugs/alcohol aboard. Man named Darryl Hager actually wrote a book called "The man overboard" addressing this issue. He DETAILED this issue, named names, schools, Companies.
I saw him NOV 2018…. he jumped 16 stories to his death DEC 2018.
Go Google that book… "The man Overboard"
Damn sad. I believe this account. It sounds totally authentic. Even now you could get this man arrested if you have a good lawyer.
Wow… this makes my blood boil that their are people getting away with this
Yeah I wouldn’t advise anyone to go to sea, much less a woman. But any who do, and get raped, should receive justice. It’s a crime, y’know. Rape. Yeah. Like murder, theft, fraud, etc.
Right?
… but it did happen, right? The rape? And it is a crime, a felony…
…. right?
Report him the the Police. It is never to late to report it to the authorities. Don’t let him get away with this. He can and will be a rapping others unless you put a stop on this. Don’t let this rapist be out on the loose. Mark him on what he really is and let his wife and kids know what he did too you
Yes, if God is for you who can be against you being a voice is coming from under FEAR. I was stepfather for over fifteen years I spoke out no one did anything about but the Lord says vengeance are mine. Be encourage Sister, I know you was out in the Sea rape is rape.
Meaning you have people that ready to support and encourage you back then I really had no one to stand up for me.
This is absolutely awful.
Women I know have almost ALL been severely assaulted as children by men, often much older ones.
Women in the workplace on land also have to fend off unwelcome male attention.
At least on land, at work, one can get home at the end of the working day, to escape the harassing men, but at sea, one is a virtual prisoner.
It’s an horrendous problem.
What is wrong with these men?
There need to be many more women on board together, to watch out for each other.
I am so sorry this happened, hope you can report it to the relevant authorities.
I believe you. Crewing on small scows in 1983 , the same thing happened to me, but I was only 17.
I (male) was raped (sodomized) aboard the USS Detroit (AOE-4) on Dec/18/2020 (my 21st birthday) as retribution for speaking out with a jag officer aboard the USS enterprise CVN-65 regarding allegations that U.S. enlisted personnel who were not US citizens were being prevented from making rank to retain them on labor intensive deck departments. (This was before the US Navy made logistic vessels part of the US merchant marine fleet or USNS).
I originally wanted to go to the US Coast Guard but I was blatantly told by the recruiter that they didn’t accept non U.S. residents; so I applied for the Navy instead as a rated seaman for the rate/MOS of Ocean System Technician in the hopes that this would help speed up my family’s US naturalization process.
While I was in bootcamp the rate was closed off and instead of offering me a different choice they made me an undesignated seaman instead. I graduated from bootcamp and went to A school and graduated top of my class from a fairly easy program but instead of allowing me to choose a rate/MOS of my choice (Dental technician) I was simply made an E2 seaman apprentice and sent on my way.
Once I arrived on my command, I very quickly distinguished myself as a hard worker and was on a fast track through E3 by becoming qualified on all the firefighting requirements and earning my SWAS for my ship. Then In 1998 I took my E4 exam for Quartermaster and after it was announced that I had made the E4 rank over the intercom, they took me down stairs and told me that I couldn’t do that rank bc I wasn’t a US citizen.
I had in fact wanted to try out for dental tech but I was told that it too required security clearance and that my department couldn’t afford to let me go! Then they told me to forget about it and just become a boatswain mate (BT) instead but I dreaded the job as I found its daily duties intellectually lobotomizing.
In the spring 1999, I took the HT3 test for hull technician which was part of engineering department and again I made rank and yet again they took it away. So in the fall of 1999 I took the HM3 test for hospital man and again I made rank and yet again I was told to forget about it bc I wasn’t a US citizen; even though this position didn’t required security clearance as I checked.
The spring of 2000 came and myself along with a few other non US legal residents stuck in the same precarious situation decided to take the test yet again just for the giggles of it as we knew they would never let us make rank; unless we went for boatswain mate, so they could keep us in their respective departments.
This time around my vessel had just returned from a Persian Gulf Cruise and members of the air wing which I had befriended bc I worked on the hangar deck of my ship suggested that I go for Aviation Mechanic or AM3; which is a rate that doesn’t require security clearance either.
Once my ship pulled in to Norfolk later that year, I head over to the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and did all my prerequisites to be eligible to take the AM petty officer third class examination. While I was aboard this vessel, inquiries were made as to why I had not made rank yet and when I told them what was happening aboard my command on the deck departments; they insisted that I speak with a jag officer aboard the carrier. These folks promised me that it would never get back to my command and that they would investigate my allegations and I thought nothing of it afterwards thinking that I had done the right thing by speaking up.
I took my test that Spring of 2000 and made rank yet again! This time I was told that the position was not attainable bc they didn’t offer it on my command and that they couldn’t afford to let me go; but that if I wanted the position, that I would have to extend my contract to six years with my command.
Course I knew it was a scheme to keep me in a state of indentured servitude and this shortly after this, one of the other non US citizens aboard the ship simply began refusing to work calling these actions illegal and indicative of slavery.
Fearing that we would speak up; they gave us these lead seamanship positions just to shut us off as if they were making us a favor but it was already too late as I had already spoken with a jag officer. So a few of the non US citizens began taking the SARS (search & rescue swimmer) physical examination just for the fun of it; knowingly full well that they would never allow us to go to SAR school anyways even though none of the other sailors were stepping up to fill the quota.
It is around this time that I finally gave up on my pursuit to be something in the armed forces and began studying for my SAT/ACT for university entrance in the fall of 2001 at University of Texas as I was officially a “short timer” (6 month left on enlistment).
On December 18 of 2,000 I was taken out by a few shipmates to celebrate my 21st birthday but when I woke the following morning; I felt a sharp pain coming from my back and rear as if someone had kicked me and when I looked on, I was covered in bloody sheets.
I had to pull out the wooden stick (not a smooth surface) out of my anal cavity by myself without making any noise to alert everyone else in the sleeping berthing of what had transpired. Unfortunately, they already knew what had occurred and why it had happened; and as I made my way to the head (restroom) to clean up I had to endure them calling me derogatory labels such as “rat”, “narc” or “dead man walking” while landing repeated fist blows to my body.
When I was in the shower I could hear them outside threatening me to keep my mouth shut or they would throw me over the side of the ship at night during fantail watch (the rear of the ship) Either out at sea tied to an anchor chain or in port. The petty officers and Chief then forced me to take painkillers (Motrin) and sent me back to work that entire day while they kept an annoyingly close eye on me.
The females on my department were able to at first sneak crushed Motrin into my drink at and later stronger antibiotics they had left over from “ previous personal incidents” (you know what that means) to help with the infection. I was never allowed to see the doctor and for a while I thought I would die from a septic infection as I had blood on my stool for weeks to come.
They also dropped my personal evaluations so low that I was deemed a troubled sailor and given automatic extra duty (after dinner) every evening after work. I was not allowed off the ship for months and they threaten me with dishonorable discharge if I spoke out about it to anyone which usually came with the threat that If I got kick out the military with a dishonorable discharge that then US government would deport my family and I from the country.
Word got around the vessel and became a laughing manner while the deck departments instituted “booty watch” on all the sleeping berthings aboard the deck department (three in all for a few weeks. The other non us citizens on these departments never spoke up again out of order nor took any more test and all my shipmates continue to label me a narc while the senior enlisted personnel reminded me repeatedly that what transpired was my fault.
I became suicidal in March of 2001 and only the females kept me going till June 1st when I was able to use my accumulated vacation and depart the armed forces with my life intact. 23 Years later and countless psychiatrists, when people ask me what did I do the first 4 years after high school; I told them I went to Hollywood to try to be an actor! I have lied to myself all these years and yet; I still have blood on my stool sometimes simply bc I stood up to an injustice.
When I read these other comments I can concur with the pattern of male behavior across the military!
From the moment that a woman comes aboard a military vessel for the first time; they are immediately set upon the men of the ship and referred to as “fresh meat”. It doesn’t matter to these men if they themselves are married! It doesn’t matter if a woman is single or in a relationship! As I’ve read before in one story! “men get lonely out at sea” and it is true! Men become “obsessed” and “infatuated” with women in an unhealthy way and dangerous way. Women cannot workout in shorts or other revealing clothes for fear of being harassed or sexually assaulted. Putting a single female aboard one ship filled with men is completely irresponsible.
The pattern of behavior is always the same:
Women are either “bitches”’or “hoes”! Bitches if they won’t date anyone on board or hoes if they happens to date someone. What is worse are the verbal sexual suggestions that occur constantly! Men just speak about vile sexual topics in front of females in a manner that it would be considered sexual harassment in a civilian atmosphere.
Never in my life have I had the distinct displeasure of having to work day in and out with grown men feeling completely normal to speak about being ok with having sexual intercourse with underage girls simply bc they have reached puberty.
The should have segregated commands! It it the only way to keep them safe!
That’s the reason in the past they did not put women in close contact with men for long duration in dark below deck areas. Its just a bad idea. Women being in the military is just a bad idea. Look how it turned out.
I just read this in May 2024. The accounts raise many challenges to existing policy, policy that should provide safety to all students and crew members. Where is the Captain, the Master? Where is the Superintendent of the Merchant Marine Academy? What statute authorizes consumption of alcohol at sea and under what restrictions? Who trains the officers and crew? Who knows what’s going on? Who stops illegal behavior? There are enough spinless lemming politicians without moral turpetude – hopefully by now, conditions have improved and there is more accountability and opportunity to report. I served on a command which deployed to the Med for 6 months with a crew of 1,000 men and 400 women; they were a team, a top-perfoming team which set records for their achievements. Honesty and Respect Ruled. The leaders were involved, competent, approachable and great teachers. Surely our taxpayer funded MMA and Military Sealift Command leaders have brought the train back on the right track. ‘Ole Seachest