2016-3_FINAL

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Castine Current

Photo by Lance Bishop

By CMDR. PETER STEWART

O

ur initial cruise plans had us leaving

Charleston, South Carolina and heading

to France, but we were unable to acquire

diplomatic clearance for the training ship there,

so our trip then turned toward Tampa, Florida.

Alumni, led by David Knapp ’86 and Eric

Smith ’88 treated the ship to first-rate service

in port. We were required to extend our stay for

mechanical reasons, and even though the weather

and hospitality were outstanding, all were ready

to head back to sea.

Our next stop was Galveston, Texas, home to

Texas A&M Maritime. This was notable since we

had 20 Texas cadets on board for training, a first

for Maine Maritime Academy.

There were ten, 4/C and 10 2/C doing the

90-day cruise. They were disappointed about not

traveling to France, but seemed quite happy to

see home again. We then left for the 2/C switch in

Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

With the Cruise B crew aboard, including a

2/C cadet from Mass Maritime, we headed across

the Atlantic to Cobh, Ireland and the National

Maritime College of Ireland. All cadets were

exposed to the training components of fire

suppression, life boat, pool work and rescue

boats at the college. The training was first-

class and all were impressed.

Another European port, Antwerp,

Belgium, provided the cadets a great deal of

history. Many took advantage of the tours to

WWII sites and the old city. Finally heading

home, TS State of Maine made the final

stop in New York City. Docked in the heart

of Manhattan, many took advantage of the

cultural activities that abound in the city that

never sleeps.

The return to Castine was highlighted by the

annual parents cruise. All 2/C parents are invited

to join the ship from Searsport to Castine. More

than 300 parents and friends took advantage of

this awesome opportunity.

Students got a firsthand look at what life at sea

is like. Many memories were made and relation-

ships were forged that will last a lifetime.

“Cruise was a fun, exciting and challenging

experience that always kept me busy and on

my toes,” says 3/C Midn. Trent Lloyd-Rees. “It

provided the opportunity to travel to places I had

never been, experience different cultures and

meet new people.

“The cruise also presented me with opportu-

nities to learn and lead,” he says. “It was a new

challenge to be away from friends and family for

so long, but it’s one I’m excited to face again.”

1/C Midn. Cmdr. Elliot Grindle adds, “The

real-life training we do on board the TS State

of Maine is unparalleled. I enjoyed all aspects

of summer cruise, especially navigating around

Northern Ireland. I’ll always remember the

breathtaking views.”

2016 PORTS

Cruise A

Portsmouth, NH

Charleston, SC

Tampa, Florida

Galveston, Texas

Cruise B

Portsmouth, NH

Cobh, Ireland

Antwerp, Belgium

New York City

T

he campus community enjoyed a search and

rescue demonstration by a U.S. Coast Guard

helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod and a

47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Rockland on

October 13. Both arrived mid-morning and later

conducted training together in the harbor, includ-

ing demonstration of rescue swimmer capabilities.

COAST GUARD DEMO

Elliot Grindle & Trent Lloyd-Rees at work during the training cruise.

90 DAYS, 17,186 MILES AT SEA

2016 training cruise delivers new and practical experiences

TS State of Maine steaming by the New York City skyline. (Photo by Stanley Konieczko ’05)