Sea Term 2009: Captain's Blog

---

February 2009 S M T W Th F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Jan 2009

Monday 16 February

Several days ago, Cadet Beuth reported that he had taken thousands of photos during Sea Term 2009. Virtually all of the photos you have seen on this Sea Term website are his work. During this last week at sea, he is compiling a Best of Sea Term 2009 Photo CD...a compilation of over 400 photos...that he wishes to use to raise funds for the Christopher Blair Erickson Memorial Fund. The CD will debut on board TS Kennedy at the talent show on Friday evening and will go on sale for $5 to those on board. After TS Kennedy returns, the price will be $10. If you are interested, contact Cadet Beuth at peter.beuth@maritime.edu for details.
(Please coordinate your purchases with your cadet/crewmember onboard TSK.)

Christopher Erickson memorial services on board TS Kennedy.

"The surest pledge of a deathless name
Is the silent homage of thoughts unspoken."
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

0800 ET/1300 GMT Position
Departure, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
USTS Kennedy's updated track: Sailwx Track

Air Temperature 28.0 C
Sea Temperature 24.3 C
Sea State
Barometric Pressure mb and
Wind @ kts
Visibility miles.

Division I Maintenance
Division II Training
Division III Watch
Division IV Alternate

Captain's Log 16 February 2009
by Captain Tom Bushy

It has been a few days since I sat down at the keyboard, despite a lot of action aboard TS Kennedy. We departed St. Thomas this morning with little fanfare. We slipped the mooring lines off precisely at 0900, the Tug Lookout gently pulled our port quarter away as the bow thruster pushed our bow from the dock. A few astern bells and we were in position to kick her ahead and steam toward our homeport.

St. Thomas is a great port for just about everyone - the beaches are plentiful and beautiful, the shopping is endless, restaurants at every street corner, and even a rather un-even golf course. Stories of jet skiing, surfing and scuba will no doubt be passed along to home, as well as the claims of "spending too much money." Hey, it isn't hard to do that in any port.

I think just about every cadet on the ship and nearly half the crew took advantage of taking a short ferry ride over to St. Johns. The beautiful island is dominated by National Park lands including some of the most beautiful beaches in North and South America. The island transportation is mainly in the back of pick-up trucks, so it is a great time even getting to the beach!

But for me St. Thomas is a unique experience of visiting friends. The Chief Pilot is Captain Rob Ripley, Class of 1992. Not only does he pilot us in, but his friendship includes taking me over to his home to visit his wife Amy and new baby - a cute two-month old named Tessa. The view from his living room is breathtaking, as it gives a panoramic view of Charlotte Amalie harbor. I also got to work with Coleen Combs, our port agent, again for about the forth consecutive time - and spent time with Mark Sabino of the West India Company, who owns the dock where we moored. Since we came in from Puerto Rico, there were no time-consuming clearance processes of passport checks - but my office was busy for over three hours as they sat around and had coffee, talked about things on the island, and generally just hung around. It was like old home week, after two years away. Thanks to everyone for the help in port. I am looking forward to seeing you all again in three or so years.

Today is Photo Day
We have not, yet, received an update from Captain Bushy or Cadet Beuth. But we have lots of new photos...

LINKS:
Official MMA Photography

Christiaan Conover Blog Page
Buzzards Bay Weather
MMA Parents Association

Departure Photos
Cape Cod Times Online Departure Photos
217 Photos of TS Kennedy's Arrival in Tampa

Should you have an emergency and need to contact someone at MMA regarding your cadet or a crew member, please contact Commander Stephen Kelleher:
Commander Stephen Kelleher
508-830-6485 (daytime)
508-364-6217 (Evenings/Weekends)
seaterm@maritime.edu

If Commander Kelleher is not available, you may contact me at any time:
Captain Allen Hansen
508-269-0925
ahansen@maritime.edu

Parting Shots...

Printable Page