Sea Term 2009: Captain's Blog

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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

Tuesday 17 February

0700 ET/1200 GMT Position
Latitude 22-30.0 N Longitude 065-42.0 W
USTS Kennedy's updated track: Sailwx Track

Air Temperature 23.0 C
Sea Temperature 23.3 C
Sea State 2
Barometric Pressure 1013.9 mb and falling
Wind NW @ 19.0 kts
Visibility 8 miles.

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

Captain's Log 17 February 2009
by Captain Tom Bushy

Last night's talent show was a great time and, oddly enough, there was some real talent on display - as traditionally the acts tend to be dominated by obnoxiously outgoing, less than talented, satirical wise guys. No, this year we heard some wonderful singers, both men and women, witnessed some great guitar work, and even some original music. It was fun.

I will report that Peter Beuth the cadet blogger on this web site, presented a great slideshow of the sea term, and has vowed to sell copies and donate all proceeds to the Christopher Erikson Memorial Fund. A wonderfully generous offer.

The ship is steaming along at a respectful 12.5 knots. There is no need to go any faster as an early arrival will only fall into the category of 'hurry up and wait.' No, our docking time is set for Sunday morning at 0743 and, barring any really bad weather, that's when we'll be there. We tend to discuss the decision process in determining speed on this northbound leg each year. It's a judgment call in most cases. When there is not a large, defined storm - or even more unlikely in the winter time, a large high pressure air mass ahead of us - we tend to opt for a slower SOA. No, it always includes looking at weather maps and reading synoptic reports of what some weatherman ashore interprets and forecasts, and making the call. This year it looks like - at this time and subject to change - that a window of opportunity exists between a few low pressure areas to sneak into New England. This means we will hit the fringes of winter weather, but probably not any strong storms with gale winds and driving snow. But I try to be a very cautious weather forecaster and than means I'll keep a close eye on the maps, reports, wind, clouds and the barometer. Like the weather guy on TV, I may quietly change my forecast and, in turn, might have to modify the voyage plan.

But right now we have scattered showers, westerly breezes and warm temperatures. I think that the sun worshippers aboard might be nixed out of that 'one more day' of sunning. They will have to accept that the tan they got is the tan they have.

Homeward Bound!
by Cadet 1/C Peter Beuth

As TS Kennedy departed Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas, many cadets lined the rails, quietly taking in the gravity of those few minutes. For the freshmen it marks the beginning of the end of their freshmen cruise and, for the seniors, it marks the beginning of the end of their four years at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. As we slowly made our way out of the port I was on the starboard side outside of the Nav lab. To my left was 1/C Ben Mandelbaum and to my right were 1/C Thomas Stroud and 1/C Amanda Hurley. Hardly a word was spoken as we made our way out of the harbor, quietly reflecting on the four years that have passed by ever so quickly.

It was quite surreal to come to the realization that, for most of us, coming in to a 'foreign' port on board the Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship will never happen again. Sure, a few of us may be back in the future for various reasons, but for the most part we will be shipping out in the commercial world in only a matter of months now. Just the look on everybody's faces spoke volumes as to what was going through their minds. Seniors were reflecting on what has been over the past four years and freshmen were thinking about what is to come over their next three.

Plain and simple, St. Thomas was flat out incredible in every way, shape, and form. Unlike the other ports where cadets spoke of going to a few beaches, getting some drinks, and simply having fun, St. Thomas and the rest of the US and British Virgin Islands provided endless adventurous opportunities for those willing to spare no expense or effort in order to make lasting memories. Many cadets found themselves on St. John, Jost Van Dyke, or Tortola. Many went snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, charter fishing, surfing, parasailing, shopping, or just plain relaxing. There is no doubt that there will be endless stories to tell, pictures to be shown, and bragging to friends to be done upon our return home. After such a mind-blowing stay on St. Thomas, everybody is dead tired yet extremely excited to now be headed for home.

Tonight (Monday, Feb 16) there is to be a talent show held on the helo deck at 2000. Acts include singing, the playing of musical instruments (especially the guitar), practical fishing demonstrations, a Captain Rozak impersonator, and ultimately the "Best of Cruise 2009" slideshow. Every year the talent show is a hilarious, rowdy occasion and I hope that this year will be no different.

I'm sure you would all like to know when you can expect to see TS Kennedy headed westbound down the Cape Cod Canal, destination State Pier, Buzzards Bay. We will be picking up the pilot around 0530 on the morning of Sunday the 22nd. You can expect to see TS Kennedy in the east end of the canal by approximately 0600, slowly making way down the canal, expecting to be at the pier by 0745 when slack tide will occur. We expect to be securely moored alongside the pier by 0830.

Every year there is a very large crowd to welcome us home, and this year we expect no different. The crowd is usually much larger than the one we get when we depart Buzzards Bay (perhaps you miss us now??), so plan on arriving at MMA by around 0600 in order to make sure you get a parking spot as space will be tight. You can expect to see TS Kennedy in sight by about 0720. Officers and crew will receive liberty first, quickly followed by seniors, sophomores, and then freshmen by berthing compartments.

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...

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