Captain's Log: January 16, 2023 - Part 2

Ships Wheel

Good morning, Followers -

This is Part 2 of today's blog.  Let's get back to the questions from Mrs. Clayton's first grade students from Salisbury Elementary School in Salisbury, Massachusetts.  As I mentioned in Part 1 of my log, Mrs. Clayton is the mother of 4/C Liam Clayton, a Marine Transportation major.  The Clayton family lives in York, Maine.


student letters with illustration

Julio Jackson, barnacles attach to the ship below the waterline so I have no way of counting just how many are there.  The ship returned from drydock in December.  That means that the ship was taken out of the ocean so that it could be cleaned and checked over.  Some repairs and improvements were made.  At that time, the hull was stripped.  All of the barnacles were removed. Anti-fouling paint was applied.  This special paint will help prevent barnacles from attaching to the hull.

letter from student with illustration of ship

Graysen, I hope that I got your name correct.  It is a little tough for me to see.  I am glad that you enjoyed the book Sammy The Sea Sick Pirate.  Mrs. Franks told me that the author grew up in Barbados.  That is where the TS Kennedy will dock on Friday.  Cadets on Utility are responsible for many cleaning duties, including swabbing the deck.  Rather than tell you my exact age, I will tell you that I am about the same age as the TS Kennedy.


 

letter from student with illustration of ship

Hello, friend!  I am sorry that I cannot read your name.  Although I didn't see a whale this week, many of the cadets did.  They also reported that they saw dolphins and flying fish.  I am glad that you have enjoyed the two books that Little Buc shared with you.  I cannot take credit for that.  


letter from student with illustration of ship

Gabriella, as I mentioned above, I haven't seen a whale yet on Sea Term 2023.  There is still plenty of time.  The peak time to view whales in the Caribbean is from mid-January to mid-March.  Humpback whales give birth in the warm Caribbean waters.  


letter from student with illustration of ship

Alice, our ship is 540 feet long.  It does have many beds.  Almost all of the cadets sleep in bunk beds.  Some crew members sleep in bunks, but most have twin beds with a metal frame.  I have seen whales on past cruises, but not yet on Sea Term 2023.  The food on the ship is great.  Chartwells provides a wide variety of delicious meals.  


letter from student with illustration of ship

Nicholas, you did a great job drawing the TS Kennedy.  The ship also has a talented baker named Juvi.  Everyone loves his pastries, cookies, apple turnovers, and fresh bread.


student letters with illustration

Dorian, the TS Kennedy is 540 feet long.  That is equal to 6,480 inches.  Some of the crew members admired your colorful ship.


student letters with illustration

Carter, although I have worked on ships of all sizes in some very challenging weather conditions, I have never been seasick.  I am very fortunate.  Our medical team in Sick Bay is ready to assist any cadet that experiences seasickness.


letter from student with illustration of ship

Jackson, the TS Kennedy was made of steel by a company called Avondale Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She worked as a freighter transporting goods before being converted to a training ship.  


letter from student with illustration of ship

Agatha, thank you for complimenting our ship.  I am glad that you love to read.  I do too.  I cannot take any credit for the pirate books that Little Buc has shared with you.

Thank you to all of the first grade students at Salisbury Elementary School for sending me letters and drawings.  Crew members who have dropped by my office for meetings have enjoyed looking at them.  I hope that I didn't miss any.

Sincerely,
Captain Michael J. Campbell
Master, TS Kennedy