Good morning, Followers –
It a busy morning aboard the TS Kennedy! Soon, we will arrive in our third port, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. This is the sixth time that this training ship will visit the island. As the TS Enterprise, she docked in Charlotte Amalie during Sea Term 2007. She returned during Sea Term 2009, 2015, 2017, and 2018 as the TS Kennedy.
I have shared with you that I am an animal lover, but I haven’t mentioned that I am also an avid sports fan. That’s why I will never forget the TS Kennedy’s visit to St. Thomas in 2017, which happened to coincide with Super Bowl weekend. On February 5th, cadets and crew members on liberty began watching the New England Patriots vs. the Atlanta Falcons at various restaurants throughout Charlotte, Amalie. When the score became too discouraging, cadets and crew members decided to call it a night. They headed back to the TS Kennedy with their heads held low. By the time most of them reached the top of the gangway, there was just 2:15 left in the 3rd quarter. The Falcons were ahead, 28-3. Suddenly word began to spread throughout the ship that the Patriots were making a comeback. Everyone crammed into the Mess Deck to watch the rest of the game on the big-screen television. The ship vibrated with excitement. Cadets stamped their feet on the floor and pounded their fists on the tables as the Patriots rallied to tie the game. I could hear the cadets cheering as I watched the game in my suite with a few of the crew. The Patriots went on to win the game in overtime, 34-28. To date, this is the only Super Bowl to be decided in overtime.
Captain Elizabeth Simmons, the Vice President Of External Affairs at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, joined the TS Kennedy in Aruba. She will cruise with us until Fort Lauderdale. Elizabeth grew up on Cape Cod and graduated with a degree in Marine Safety, Science, & Environmental Protection in 1997. Everyone is happy to have her with us.
Thank you for being a part of Sea Term 2023.
Sincerely,
Captain Michael J. Campbell
Master, TS Kennedy
The TS Kennedy was in St. Thomas for this big game.
