Commercial Services

Patriot currently operates 2 vessels within this program (1-owned vessel and 1-3rd party vessel). These ships provide fuel transportation to support U.S. military operations in areas where standard deep-draft tankers cannot operate due to port or waterway depth restrictions. These tankers are specifically designed or chartered with a shallower draft, allowing them to access austere or undeveloped ports, coastal areas, and regions with limited infrastructure.

Key functions of the tanker program include:

• Fuel transport and delivery to forward-operating bases, island outposts, or remote locations where larger tankers are unable to dock.
• Supporting logistical flexibility for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and allied forces by ensuring a steady supply of fuel in contested or hard-to-reach environments.
• Enhancing the military’s expeditionary capabilities by enabling refueling operations closer to combat zones or disaster relief areas.

Technical Management – TS Golden Bear

Patriot serves as the Technical Manager of the TS Golden Bear, in support of one of our nation’s prominent state maritime academies. The TS Golden Bear is the training ship for the California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) and serves as a floating classroom and laboratory for cadets pursuing maritime education and careers. The ship plays a central role in hands-on learning, seamanship training, and global maritime exposure.

Primary Uses and Functions:

1. Cadet Training:

• The TS Golden Bear provides Cal Maritime cadets with practical, at-sea experience in navigation, marine engineering, ship operations, and safety protocols.
• Cadets participate in mandatory summer sea training cruises, where they apply classroom knowledge in real-world maritime environments, rotating through various shipboard roles.

2. Global Experience:

• The ship sails to domestic and international ports, exposing cadets to different cultures, maritime regulations, and operational conditions, helping prepare them for careers in the global maritime industry.

3. Operational Systems Training:

• Onboard systems, including navigation equipment, propulsion systems, and communication technologies, serve as teaching tools for cadets pursuing both deck and engineering licenses.

4. Research and Outreach:

• The TS Golden Bear is occasionally used for maritime research initiatives and environmental studies, as well as outreach programs that promote maritime careers and education.

5. Support for U.S. Maritime Readiness (Occasionally):

• In some cases, Cal Maritime’s Golden Bear may support state or federal agencies for emergency preparedness or special missions, although its primary role remains education.