JUNE 20, 2013 — Crowley Maritime Corporation presented U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Midshipman James R. Cameron with the company's Maritime Security Enhancement Award, during the academy's 2013 graduation awards convocation in Kings Point, NY, last week.

The Maritime Security Enhancement Award, established in 2003, is given each year to a USMMA student who demonstrates a strong interest in a port, maritime or transportation security career and who achieves the highest grade in the academy's transportation security class.

Crowley's Amelia Smith and Midshipman James R. Cameron

Amelia Smith, Crowley's manager of corporate and marketing communications, presented the recognition certificate and cash award to Cameron on behalf of Crowley, commenting, "We are proud to present Crowley's Maritime Security Enhancement Award to such a deserving and dedicated student."

Mr. Cameron, a native of Plainview, NY, and a graduate of JFK High School, majored in logistics and intermodal transportation, graduating with a 3.1 grade-point average (GPA). During his time at USMMA, Mr. Cameron gained experience outside of the classroom by serving 70 days as a deck cadet aboard the Yorktown Express, a vessel managed by Crowley company Marine Transport Management.  In this role, he had the opportunity to work closely with the chief mate and take shifts on the bridge to assist with navigational duties as the ship transited ports along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, Germany, Belgium and England.

While at USMMA, Mr. Cameron also volunteered for organizations such as the St. Baldrick's Foundation and Friends of Jaclyn, both of which are dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer, the Special Olympics, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), an on-campus group that aims to improve relations between the student-athlete and the campus at large, while providing service to the community. Cameron also played football and rugby for the Academy.

After graduation, Mr, Cameron will take a commission as a third mate aboard one of 110 vessels operated by the Military Sealift Command (MSC).

"Midshipman Cameron has displayed high standards in academics, athletics and leadership while at Kings Point," said Ms. Smith. "These qualities will serve him well, as he begins his maritime security career with the Sealift Command. Promoting the development of future industry leaders through this award is illustrative of Crowley's commitment to world class safety and maritime security programs and to the protection of personnel, vessels, facilities, ports and the environment."

"This award is very meaningful to me coming from a company like Crowley that holds maritime security in such a high regard," said Mr. Cameron. "The combination of classroom instruction at Kings Point and the hands-on learning on ships, such as the Yorktown Express, has uniquely prepared me for my future in this industry."