CALIFORNIA MARITIME ACADEMY FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FUEL FOR CREWING MERCHANT VESSELS. THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUEL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FUTURE MERCHANT MARINE OFFICERS AT THE STATE MARITIME ACADEMIES (SMA). THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF THESE STUDENTS PREPARES THEM TO GRADUATE AND ENTER THE MARITIME INDUSTRY IN NUMEROUS CAPACITIES, INCLUDING CREWING MERCHANT VESSELS, MARITIME OPPORTUNITIES ASHORE AND ALSO TO BE AVAILABLE DURING NATIONAL EMERGENCIES OR CONTINGENCIES. "