Merchant Marine

From Star Trek: Gamma One

The United Federation of Planets Merchant Marine is more of an association than a branch of Starfleet, at least during times of peace. The Merchant Marine consists of all cargo vessels flying under the flag of the Federation. Merchant Marine command, which is a part military, part civilian agency, serves as the bridge between civilian cargo operators and firms and Starfleet, which the Merchant Marine serves as a civilian auxiliary for. Merchant Marine command also serves as a civilian regulator, setting policy for safety and standard operating procedures on merchant marine vessels. All Merchant Marine vessel officers and crews are licensed and regulated by Merchant Marine command, which sets standards for training and education in the merchant marine fleet.

In times of peace, vessel operators are allowed broad discretion in the routes they travel and the cargoes they haul. However, Merchant Marine command keeps close tabs on the number of vessels operating, where they are operating, and what cargoes they are rated to haul in case they are called up for wartime use. Starfleet and the Federation remain active players in the peacetime cargo market by contracting with Merchant Marine vessels for the transport of military and governmental supplies that do not require the speed or arms of a Starfleet military vessel.

Merchant Marines in Wartime Operations

During times of war, Federation law authorizes the President of the Federation and Starfleet to activate the Merchant Marine as an auxiliary of Starfleet. In this capacity, Merchant Marine vessels become paramilitary, answering to Merchant Marine command and Starfleet Materials Command for routes and cargo inventories. While Starfleet and the Federation continue to pay for cargo hauling services when the Merchant Marine is activated, individual ship operators' autonomy is significantly curtailed and ships can even be nationalized and taken over by Starfleet personnel in times of extreme need.

Though Merchant Marine service is often seen as unglamorous, Merchant Marine vessels are the backbone of Starfleet logistical operations and often sustain high casualties in times of war as their unarmed or relatively lightly armed ships are easy prey for enemy raiders. This was compounded during the Dominion War when Starfleet forces were spread so thin that some convoys were forced to travel with light or no escort at all.

Organizational Structure

Merchant Marines have a separate rank structure from Starfleet, but their ranks mirror those of Starfleet ranks. The Commanding Officer of the Merchant Marines is a full Admiral who takes direction from the Federation President, the Federation Secretary of Commerce, and a subcouncil of the Federation Council.

Service Awards

While the Merchant Marine has several decorations it issues specific to Merchant Marine operations, Starfleet regulations continue to waver on whether Merchant Marine personnel are eligible for military awards when they are activated in support of wartime operations. Present Belesco, a former Merchant Marine command official, is said to favor awards for merchant mariners during the War and has been lobbying Starfleet and the Federation Council to recognize the heroic acts and sacrifices of Merchant Mariners.