Good morning, Followers -
Students participating in the Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program are always watching out for me. I received a few emails from students who are worried that I may not be getting enough sleep. When their teachers explained that the TS Kennedy does not drop anchor at night, these students became concerned that I am steering the ship both day and night.
Don’t worry! I am getting plenty of sleep. At all times, there are cadets on Bridge watch, supervised by a crew member. Because this is a training ship, cadets are given an opportunity to participate in all aspects of the navigation of the TS Kennedy.
My room is just one deck below the Bridge on the Cabin Deck. There is a sound powered telephone beside my bed that can wake me instantly. Cadets are encouraged to call with questions. I probably receive a few nighttime calls each week.
I never give a cadet or crew member a hard time for waking me up. I would, however, be very upset if I discovered that a problem had occurred and someone had chosen not to call. I do not like surprises.
Often, a problem is solved over the phone and I can go right back to sleep. If not, I dash up the stairs and arrive on the Bridge in less than a minute. Cadets call if they see an odd light or if the weather suddenly changes.
When I come up to the Bridge, I expect the cadets to keep working. I don’t want them to think, “Oh, the Captain is here. He’s in charge now. I can take a few steps back.”
When I am on the Bridge, my role is to offer advice and guide the cadets. Cadets won’t learn if they step back and let me take over. I am sure that the same is true in your classroom. Your teacher’s role is to provide tips on how to solve a difficult problem and guide you towards success. I am guessing that he or she would never grab your pencil and finish your mathematics test while you push back your chair and relax. You must learn to do it on your own. That’s just how it is here on the TS Kennedy.
Work as hard as a cadet today.
Sincerely,
Captain Michael J. Campbell
Master, TS Kennedy
Rather than adding a drawing of the TS Kennedy to Captain Campbell's log, the following signal flag message was chosen for today. We have received some several emails asking if the TS Kennedy ever uses signal flags to display "fun messages". A few classes even offered suggestions.
Aboard the TS Kennedy and all ships at sea, signal flags are used to communicate important messages only.
Although this message will never fly above the TS Kennedy, it did make Captain Campbell and the cadets happy to receive it.
