Senator Maria Cantwell has proven herself to be one of the strongest advocates in the United States Congress for maritime safety reforms needed to protect mariners from a plague of sexual harassment, sexual assault, bullying, and other abusive behaviors that have affected thousands of American maritime workers over the past decade.

On October 12, 2021, Following MLAA’s publication of Midshipman-X’s bombshell account of being sexually assaulted aboard the M/V Fairfax Alliance (owned & operated by Maersk Line, Limited), Senator Cantwell sent a Blistering Letter to acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley demanding answers.

Two weeks later Senator Maria Cantwell organized 5 additional Congressional chairpersons and delivered a 2nd thunderous letter to MARAD that called the USMMA and the overall maritime industry “Toxic,” demanded the firing of USMMA leader Jack Buono, & demanded the immediate suspension of the USMMA’s Sea Year program.

Throughout 2022, Cantwell and her Commerce Committee staff have been drafting maritime safety legislation and have raised maritime safety issues during several Congressional hearings.

Links to MLAA stories and documents about Senator Maria Cantwell:

1. Senator Maria Cantwell Delivers Blistering Letter to MARAD Demanding Answers to Allegations of Rape, Rampant Unchecked Sexual Violence, and Oversight and Policy Failures Posted on the MLAA Website

2. Maritime Crusader Senator Maria Cantwell & 5 Powerful Congressmen Call Maritime Industry “Toxic,” Demand Firing of USMMA Leader Jack Buono, & Demand Suspension of Cadet Commercial Shipping