Cadet Blogs

Hello, everyone -
Once again, it hasn’t been too long since we’ve talked.  So a few things have happened, but not much.  Mainly today we just had our finals exam. So yes, even though we’re out at sea just like everyone else we still have test and assignments.

What’s up, Followers? So today was my very last day of utility and I had to stand laundry /gym watch to make sure everything is good and nothing is broken and no one is getting hurt. I am currently studying for my final exam which is on Friday, which is tomorrow. I feel confident and ready to take the exam.

Hello, everyone –

What’s up y’all so I just got of my master at arms watch which I sit in the hallway and make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Today was also our last chicken patty Tuesday so that was kinda sad.

We are on our way to Buzzards Bay, we should arrive on Sunday.

Hello again, for my final blog while underway aboard the Kennedy! With only a couple days left we are steaming along at one of the fastest speeds we’ve been at all of sea term. For the next eight hours we are conducting yearly speed trials, currently making way through the water at about 17 knots.

Sometimes there are technological challenges at sea.  I am excited to have just received Jack’s blog from Wednesday, 2-8.

Last night, my friend Remy and I, both International Maritime Business students, went to observe the 2000-2400 (8:00 PM -Midnight) Bridge Watch. While on Sea Term, you have to show up 45 minutes early to watch as a cadet. So we were there at 1915 (7:15 pm).

Hello, everyone -

Hello once again from the TS Kennedy. We’re back underway to our final port of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was nice to be south but it’s time to start making our way back up north.

Sorry for no blog last Thursday, life onboard got in the way with practical tests I had to take along with helping other cadets feel better. Portions of this blog were meant to be sent out last Thursday.

Welcome back, Followers Of The Voyage –

Hey, Followers –

Hello, Followers -

Hey, everyone -

This week has been so draining for me.  I’ve switched over to the engine side and have been on maintenance. Deck maintenance is a lot of painting and small jobs, but a lot of engine side maintenance is in the engine room.

Hello, Everyone -

Hello again from the TS Kennedy. After a fun weekend on the beautiful island of Aruba, we are steaming ahead bound for Saint Thomas. We’re about halfway through Sea Term and it feels like we just left Buzzards Bay a couple of days ago.

Hey, Followers -

So today we had training.  We learned about celestial navigation which is navigating by the stars! We got to work with a sextant and learn how to use it.  We also used math to help us find the latitude and longitude of the sun after getting a certain degree off of the sextant and applying it to our calculations.

Welcome back, Followers -

Hello, everyone! Welcome again to my Sea Term journey. 

Barbados:

Welcome back, Followers –

0000 strikes which means it’s officially the second birthday I have now spent aboard the TS Kennedy.

I got fortunate enough that my closest friends brought cake for me as I stand a utility watch and sang, “Happy Birthday!”

We saved the bananas! It was a touch and go situations at times, but my team of sixteen cadets worked valiantly to save the lives of sixteen pieces of fruit! I still cannot stop laughing.  Tonight was one of the most fun evening activities I have participated in on the TS Kennedy.

Once again hello from the TS Kennedy! After a fun weekend docked in Barbados, we are back underway sailing. Getting to explore another country for the first time is an amazing experience that I’ve only had traveling on Sea Term.

Welcome back Followers -

This past weekend the TS Kennedy was docked in Barbados.  This was our first port visit of four and the first time I had stepped foot on land in twelve days.

Hello again-

Hello, everyone -

Tuesday morning started like any other day.  I woke up at 0725, got dressed in my boiler suit. and grabbed all my tools. I then headed to my morning muster where we would start our morning maintenance from.

Hey ya'll!  So today I was on maintenance. 

We painted all day today. We started on the Helo Deck which is where we hangout. Cadets paint a new mural every Sea Term.  It is always something different.

Today is the last day at sea before we arrive in Bridgetown, Barbados. Today started at 0700 for some breakfast and then morning formation. Today my division was on maintenance. So I spent the day with the safety team ensuring all things like fire extinguisher work properly.

This past week, International Maritime Business students took part in utility duties instead of their normal classes. This included scullery, inside cleaning, and garbage management. They were able to learn how the ship can stay clean, even with hundreds of people on board. 
 

Hello again, followers - I’ve been on my training rotation on the ship, so I’ve been going to class every day. Today, I learned how to chart, which is a large part of ship navigation. It’s basically GPS by hand.

Hello, everyone! I just want to say welcome on this journey.  So on January 13^th we got to Mayaguez, and we started to drop anchor for the few day.  The best part is we got to see how it was in the Bridge because that was the eyes and ears of the whole operations.

Hello again, Followers,

Hey ya'll!  So today my division was on maintenance and what i did today was really busy. I got to walk around the whole ship and test and check every fire extinguisher that the ship has, including the lifeboats.

Hello again, from the TS Kennedy! We are back underway after spending the weekend anchored in Mayagüez off the coast of Puerto Rico. Over the weekend we had pleasure of having our annual “Sunday at sea”. This involves having a barbecue out on the Helo Deck while anchored.

Hello my fellow seamen!  I am back. Today was an exhausting day. My division was on maintenance and it was tiring. On maintenance, we help the Boson, Tom Tucker, and the First Mate, Melissa Turner, maintain the boat. Jobs could include needle gunning, painting or help moving things.

Welcome back readers, sorry for the short blog today but sometimes life on the ship gets in the way. For the past four days I have had Engine Room watch. Everyday my shift was from 0715 to 1115, 1700 to 1730 and 1915 to 2315. During the time when I was not in the Engine Room, I took naps, relaxed outside, and used the cell service while we were anchored to catch up with the world.

Good Evening -

"Hey, Followers -

So today was my first day of watch.  I was the Navigator.  I plotted the ship’s location using latitude and longitude. And that was from midnight to 0400.  Then from 1200-1600, I was Quartermaster and I had to write down anything and everything that happened. Like today, we had a ship pass us on our starboard side and I had to report what time it was directly abeam from us which is directly alongside of us.

Welcome back, Readers!  On Tuesday, we woke up to sunshine and warmer weather after a night of rougher seas. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I had training. These classes were a mix of classroom time where we learned about Engine Room machinery and equipment and hands on learning and assessments where we were tested on certain engineering practical skills.

Today, was an exciting day! It was the first day of training. First, we class I had was a safety tour of the ship. It was interesting to see all of safety equipment that was on board. The next class I had was crane signals. That was cool to learn how to use crane signals for future jobs.

You're invited to accompany 2/C Gabriella Struss as she walks from her hold (room) to the gymnasium.  This is a very unique opportunity as there have never been videos taken in the spaces of the ship where cadets live and relax.  

Along the way, you'll notice that the ladderwells (stairs) and passage ways (halls) are very simple.  As we've said before, this is not a fancy cruise ship.

Hello, Followers!

"What's up, fellow seamen?
 
The past few days have been wicked wild. It has finally seems like I am getting into the flow of how the ship works and my duties on the ship.  The weather the fast few days has been incredible. My favorite part is the warm weather and the fresh sea breeze. The sunsets on the water are incredible and the view from the Helo Deck has been amazing.

Life at sea has been very interesting. I've never seen water so blue and I can officially say that dolphins are real.

Monday, January 9, 2023

“Hello, everyone participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program - The Kennedy is now in Day 3 of being underway as we steam along, escaping the winter winds and embracing the increasingly warm waters.

"Hello again, Voyage Followers - The last few days have been quite hectic for me. For starters, when we got underway yesterday, I was on Bridge Watch. It was really cool to see the entire base of the operation as we were leaving Buzzards Bay. My watch was 0800-1200, which means I was also on 2000-2400.

"Life At Sea: Departure Day

“Good Day All - Greetings from somewhere beyond the horizon! With the deep blue waters of the Atlantic beneath our feet and the crisp winds of the Gulf Stream in our face, we are officially underway! We left Sunday, and the energy onboard is full of excitement and joy.

Unfortunately, much still hasn’t been going on for me, as we finished onload and an extremely quick pace. Usually when we’re dockside, anyone on a maintenance rotation would do onload, but since it’s all done, I kind of just had another free day.

”The last few days have been pretty uneventful. We ended up finishing onloading early and have just have a lot of time off for my division. I’ve been able to finish one book and start my second one. I didn’t think I would start finishing them during onload week.

"Hello, students!  I am 3/C Salvador Relle, a Marine Transportation that came to Massachusetts Maritime Academy all the way from Louisiana.   Two of my former schools, Belle Chase Elementary School and Belle Chasse High School are participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program.  It’s so gre

"Hello, my name is Priscilla Murray from North Andover, Massachusetts.  I am a 4/C cadet majoring in Marine Engineering.  This is my first Sea Term.  I am excited to experience life at sea!

Welcome back to my blog, Followers!  Most people think life onboard a ship is always fun and exciting, but this isn’t entirely true. We all have responsibilities and jobs that must get done that might not be our favorite to do. I’m sure everyone reading this can think of a few things in their own life that isn’t their favorite to do like the dishes or cleaning your room. Whether we are in port or far out at sea, these jobs still must get done just like at your house.

Hello again, all of you aspiring sailors!

Meet 4/C Sebastian Wright

I had a very long and busy day two today! I started out with an early 0600 wake-up and breakfast by 0630. At 0700 my division, (D2) mustered on the pier. 

Hello to everyone participating in the Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience Program! My name is James Cirillo and I’m a sophomore (3/C) Marine Transportation major on my second Sea Term aboard the TS Kennedy.

“Good day, everyone -

"Welcome to Sea Term 2023’s Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program (FTV-STX).  I am 3/C McArthur Dannelly from Annapolis, Maryland.

"Good morning, afternoon, or evening depending on when you’re reading this. My name is 3/C Jacob Thorpe, a Marine Transportation major from Woodland Park, Colorado.   I am going to be one of your Follow The Voyage-Share The Experience bloggers.

“My name is Mary Boujoukos.  I am a freshman Marine Engineering major from Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Today was a very anxious day for me. I can’t lie, I was so afraid this morning and just kept saying how badly I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to be on this ship for almost two months, but I had to.