The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is the steward of a large collection of heritage assets related to the history of merchant shipping, and uses these items to educate on the history and importance of the United States merchant marine.

A large portion of MARAD’s artifact collection, including many ship models and paintings, is on display at the American Merchant Marine Museum, located on the campus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Additionally, MARAD loans and transfers heritage assets to qualified non-profit organizations with an educational mission. Recipients of MARAD heritage include memorial ships, museums, and schools throughout the United States. For example:

• MARAD transferred equipment and parts from the ex-USS Gage (APA-168), a WWII-troop transport, to the memorial ships USS Slater (DE-766) and USS Massachusetts (BB-59), for use as replacement parts. Heritage assets from Gage‘s sick bay are on exhibit at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.
• In 2011, MARAD transferred navigational equipment, lights, and the name board, from SS Pioneer Commander, to Texas Tech University. Pioneer Commander participated in Operation FREQUENT WIND, the evacuation of thousands of American civilians and South Vietnamese from Vietnam in 1975, and items from the vessel are on display at Texas Tech's Vietnam Center and Archive.

For more information about the MARAD heritage asset loan and transfer program, see: Heritage Asset Transfer and Loan Program