MMA Cadets receive a warm welcome home

The T.S. Kennedy returned home to a roaring welcoming crowd of parents, friends, and supporters. As we sailed through the canal early Sunday morning, we were greeted home with the familiar site the railroad road bridge at sunrise. All along the Cranberry Highway, signs were posted to welcome home the cadets.

In closing my blog, I would like to thank all of the T. S. Kennedy's Officers who kept us safe on our journey, their  knowledge of seamanship is without equal. In addition below are the people who day to day kept me happy and comfortable.
 Thanks to:

 Juvy who's bread and pastries are unequaled

 

Libby, who saw the  entire voyage through  a camera lens
 providing pictures and  entries to the blog

McGee, who always arranged my expeditions in to the  jungles and
rainforests

Roger, who always made me laugh, and  helped me navigate the ports.

To my Scrabble buddies, helped me pass the long evenings  beating me except for 2 very sweet victories by me.

To my food service guys who always gave  me service with a smile.                                             

Tom Pham who kept my transmissions flowing 

To Sherry and Maureen for always keeping us Ship Shape

 My Zumba Instructor Cassandra, who kept us dancin' and movin' on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Medical team buddies, who regaled me with  gory medical stories while I was eating my supper. 

Nancy, who handled our paperwork through customs and  immigration

and to Nurse Sharon my new BFF (not pictured here.)

Thank you all, I had the time of my life.

Captain's Blog 2/19/12

This morning's arrival in Buzzards Bay did not disappoint despite the early hour. Hundreds of people greeted us alongside the Cape Cod Canal as we transited, and maybe a thousand at the dock. Strong shouts and signs held high by loved ones and, cadets shouting back at them. And I guess that is how it should be - so many cadets - 593 of them, with 334 that have completed their first sea term, and for most of them the longest time away from home in their lives. They did very well too, good academic performance and excellent behavior aboard and ashore. I couldn't ask for anything else from them.

NOTE: Since it as mostly a night transit this morning, the greeters that blasted off the fireworks in Sagamore made us smile - but I wish those folks with strobe lights and high powered lamps would think twice in the future as their signal to some one aboard was a problem for those of us on the bridge.
On this last Captain's Blog before going home to rejoin my family, I like to acknowledge people, organizations and companies that made our trip better. On top of the list is the MMA Parent's Association - who not only provide support to their cadets, but also awards sea term scholarships to many, many cadets; The Student Government Association , who offer activities to the cadets aboard, but also contributed financially to the shore transportation in Guayaquil, Panama City and St. Thomas; UMASS Memorial Medical Center for the doctors primarily, but also for their consultation during the trip via satellite phone on a number of cases; The US Embassy in Panama, especially the Marine Detachment for their hospitality; LT Patrick McCurdy, USN Southern Command for his assistance in Panama; Don Spring at Sandwich Ship Supply for rapid assistance and advice on numerous occasions; Lisa at Jeppeson Marine of Falmouth for the loan of hundreds of electronic charts; Tom at Bardwell Electronics of Vineyard Haven for always being at the other end of a cell phone call when our electronics starting going haywire; Northeast Marine Pilots for safety guiding us in and out of Buzzards Bay; the Charleston South Carolina Bar Pilots for their generous assistance; Cape Cod Canal Assist for pushing us around in and out of the slip on Taylor's Point; and Scott Smith of Opflex Solutions for donated oil spill equipment; a special thanks to our shipmates from Chartwell's Dining Services - who fed us over two thousand hot meals a day, and thousands of cookies and snacks off hours - we really don't need the extra pounds - but we enjoy every second of eating them! Finally to our ship owners, the Maritime Administration for their unfaltering support before, during and after this annual voyage - it takes a lot of energy from their local man Jeff Brown, with Bill Ingram down in Norfolk, VA, and Tony Margan at Washington HQ - and there are many more that contribute - thanks to one and all.

Of course Massachusetts Maritime Academy has an army of shoreside support folks - I will not mention one for fear of forgetting another - but you all know who you are, and what you do, and how much we appreciate your support. I do want to mention Meredith Emery who rode with us and provided much of the Follow-the-Voyage - I know many school students and parents were more enlightened about the voyage because of you - thank you!

So, until we sail again!

Captain's Blog 2/18/12

'One day and a wake-up' - that's how the saying goes. Actually it is 'one day and an early wake-up'. We are taking the pilot at the Cape Cod Canal at 0530, and entering the Canal at about 0545, so we have to get everyone up early and running on all cylinders. Reveille will be at 0400 - this will account for the yawns at Sunday dinner - to get them packed up and ready to disembark shortly after 0800, just in time for church!

The morning will be a whirlwind for everyone, getting up early, packing up, cleaning, standing in the cold air, and the anticipation of 'getting off the ship'. It is a ritual we enjoy every year. There are certain protocols that we follow each time which all the readers should know. First all, we have to turn into the slip at slack water, which can vary from the predicted time by 20 minutes, we will get near the dock at about 0700, and we may hover for some time.

Next, once we get into the slip the tug boats will push us hard against the dock to allow us to tie the ship up firmly (good enough for five months!). While that is happening we'll be working the gangway, but will not allow crew or cadets down it until the ship is settled in place without the tugs pushing. It can take some time, so please be patient.

Once the gangway is open the first down will be cadets that have either won the privilege, or purchased it at auction (remember the Wounded Warriors'!). First off will be 4/C James Nguyen who won the Las Vegas night most funny-money; then 4/C Michael Murphy, and then 4/C Nick DeMarco - both who bid high at the auction. The cadets will then be permitted to disembark based upon the inspection of their berthing compartments.

All spaces must be clean, trash emptied and gear all packed in duffle bags and knapsacks. While this is happening the officers and crew will be allowed off. We will not open the ship for visitors until the bulk of cadets and crew are off the ship. It is chaotic, but for only about an hour!

Admiral Gurnon has told me that the Pande Dining Hall will be opened for warmth from the weather and some hot coffee. There's always a great view of the ship from that location.

See you all tomorrow...

Ocean Zones

Two major ocean features are shallow continental margins and the deep sea. Sea level changes through time have exposed and submerged the upper portion of continental margins, called the continental shelf. Continental shelves of the world vary greatly in their width from a few kilometers to a hundred or more, but are relatively shallow in depth. Most extend offshore to water depths of 100 to 200 m. Just beyond the shelf, the sea floor slope is much steeper. This is the continental slope. At the base of the slope lies the continental rise, which is less steep and quite broad in places. The shelf, slope and rise together make up the entire continental margin. Many continental margins have steep-walled submarine canyons cutting through them. Some canyons may have formed during lowered sea levels as rivers ran out across the shelf, cutting into it.

Out in the open ocean is what is called the pelagic zone, which is where many species of fish and marine mammals, plankton, and floating seaweed are found. The area under the pelagic zone is called the benthic zone, or deep-sea. This zone consists of silt, sand, and slowing decomposing organisms. This area is very cold because the sunlight does not reach into its depth. There are few plants at this level, and the animals include mostly bottom feeding organisms such as starfish, anemones, sponges, and various micro organisms.

The deepest part of the ocean is called the abyssal zone. Many invertebrate species and fish live here. The Coelacanth is a prehistoric fish one thought to be extinct but has been found deep in the Indian Ocean. This zone also is the home to other fish that glow in the dark by a process of photoluminescence. The abyssal zone is very cold and the pressure from the weight of the deep water is very high. In this zone the floor contains vents which are formed by spreading tectonic plates. These vents release hydrogen sulfide and other minerals which are converted to food by bacteria. These bacteria are eaten by other micro-organisms, which are consumed by invertebrates and fish that live near these vents.

Scientists thought the coelacanth died out 66 million years ago, because it vanishes from the fossil record then. But in 1938 a live coelacanth was hauled up in a fisherman’s nets off South Africa. Since then, another surviving species has turned up in Indonesia. Here, is our clickable coelacanth, see what makes this ancient fish stand out from all others.

Try this challenge

What groups of marine organisms produce substances that may be helpful in treating human diseases?

Captain's Blog 2/17/12

The dreaded examination day arrives for all cadets aboard, some will have a whole battery of oral quals and written exams, while the others will just have the orals. Either way, the day will be a quagmire of changing habits as locations like the mess deck and compute lounge are converted into examination rooms. A whole sea term rides on this day for most 1/C Deckies and a very good portion for the 1/C Engineers.

The Third Class will see a less strenuous stack of exams, and the 4/C being tested will have the same as their counterparts at mid-sea term.
The weather is cloudy yet remains warm. We've seen the wind shift numerous times throughout the night as we pass an occluded front and enter a very weak low, registering 1015 millibars. Some ominous forecasts await us on Sunday, and we'll have to cope with some wind and maybe some precipitation. Oh well, the seagoing life!

One Page 2 correction - in sending out the list of Master's Award recipients yesterday I missed one - so although late, he'll get a top billing - 1/C Michael Blasi (America's Home town - Plymouth) Marine Engineer - and acknowledged by the Chief Engineer.

Finally today I want to give a final report on the “Mayhem in Mayaquez” fund-raiser for the Wounded Warriors' Foundation. This year we exceeded our goal of $5K, and tallied up $5,227.47! The relentless efforts of CDR Steve Kelleher and the Comcad staff are the primarily reason for the success - but of course I can't thank enough the pugilistic jousters, generous bidders at auction, willing raffle ticket purchases, and the staff that made generous donations. Thanks to one and all, and I am so pleased to know that over 80% of that money will help support our most seriously injured veterans.

More tomorrow...

Deep Ocean Currents

In addition to the surface currents we looked at yesterday, currents may also be generated by density differences in water caused by temperature and salinity variations. These currents move water masses through the deep ocean taking nutrients, oxygen and temperature with them.

Occasional events also trigger serious currents. Huge storms move water masses. Underwater earthquakes may trigger devastating tsunamis. Both move masses of water inland when they reach shallow water and coastlines. Earthquakes may also trigger rapid down-slope movement of water-saturated sediments, creating turbidity currents strong enough to snap submarine
Temperature, salinity and pressure affect the density of seawater. Large water masses of different densities are important in the layering of the ocean water (more dense water sinks).

As temperature increases water becomes less dense. As salinity increases water becomes more dense. As pressure increases water becomes denser. A cold, highly saline, deep mass of water is very dense whereas a warm, less saline, surface water mass is less dense. When large water masses with different densities meet the denser water mass slips under the less dense mass. These responses to density are the reason for some of the deep ocean currents

Major subsurface currents in the oceans are most often due to differences in the density of water masses. A slow subsurface circulation of water develops with the sinking of cold water at the poles and its creeping across the ocean bottom with the meeting of north polar water and south polar water. There is a layering (due to density) near the equator. This is called thermohaline circulation (due to density differences in seawater caused by temperature and salinity) and some scientists predict it takes around 400 years for the water to complete this cycle. In the Atlantic ocean the Antarctic bottom water is denser than the North Atlantic bottom water and may creep up to 35 degrees north on the bottom. In the Pacific Ocean the North Pacific bottom water is denser and creeps down to nearly 15 degrees south latitude on the bottom. Each water mass has its own signature salinity, temperature and density.

Bottom water results from the sinking of polar water (blue = Antarctic, orange = Arctic) and their densities. A general stratification of the Pacific Ocean (left), Atlantic Ocean (middle), and Indian Ocean (right) shows their differences.

Try this activity on density currents you may need to refer to this picture when setting up your experiment.

Learn more about the density of saltwater in this activity. 

Use this activity to learn about deep ocean currents 

Try this Demo for Density to see how density affects currents.

FTV 2/16/12

Large masses of moving water are called currents. In the oceans there are major surface currents, subsurface currents, and tidal currents. Each of these mass movements of seawater is slightly different l be Local areas have more complicated current patterns but in this lesson the global currents will be explained.

Winds are the primary force causing seawater movement at the surface of the ocean. These surface winds are responsible for the major ocean currents and waves. The causes of the winds are almost completely due to the energy from the sun in the form of heat. As the sun heats the air it becomes less dense and rises. Since the greatest amount of heat is centered at the equator there is a large mass of rising air there. As this heated air rises it cools and spreads out near the top of our atmosphere.

Earth's surface winds are influenced by the rotation of Earth and the Coriolis effect. As Earth rotates there is a drag on the surface wind. This drag makes moving masses veer right in northern hemisphere and left in southern hemisphere in relation to the surface of Earth. Imagine a giant at the North Pole who prepares to jump to an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (say Hawaii). Now, imagine yourself, standing in Hawaii, viewing this giant as it leaps into the air and flies toward you. You see the giant coming right toward you at first but the Earth is rotating and you move with the Earth toward the east. As you watch the giant it appears to you that the giant veers to its right and falls into the ocean (missing Hawaii) - all due to the rotation of Earth. This effect is the Coriolis Effect (in simple form) and affects all moving masses going over long distances.

In addition to the Gulf Stream here is a list of other important surface currents:

California Current: This flows from the Arctic waters of the North Pacific down the western coast of Canada, Washington, Oregon and California. The beach and coasts north of Point Conception, located just north of Santa Barbara, generally are chilly all year long because the California Current runs close to shore in these regions.

South of Point Conception the California Current veers offshore because the California coast south of Point Conception curves eastward and a warmer eddy flows up the coast from the south, warming southern California.

 Kuroshio Current: This major surface current flows north along the western side of the North Pacific basin, warming Japan and Korea far to the north of the tropics. Antarctic Current: This is the largest surface current of all in terms of volume of water transported per year. This enormous current system circulates without interruption from west to east around the continent of Antarctica, driven by the violent West Wind Drift, the wind system that circles Antarctica.

Captain's Blog 2/16/12

The weather has been really cooperative on this voyage north – as it has been throughout the sea term. First day out we saw some easterly wind which kicked up a pretty good swell, but only pitched the Kennedy a little. Yesterday the wind abated somewhat, and our motion kind of went into a gentle roll. This morning we a shift to westerly wind, but really very close to light airs. . We have made the selections for the annual Master's Award. This award is given to many cadets from varying classes and majors, each recognized by ship's departments. The award number lean more toward the first class due to their supervisory duties, but plenty of third and fourth class cadets are recognized.

Deck Operations: First Class John Fullmer (Dennisport, MA), Nicholas Peterson (Acton, MA), Matthew Welsh (Baltimore, MD), Rebecca Luciani (Wakefiled, MA); Third Class Henry Gray (Princeton, NJ), Adam Jastrzebski (Cape May, NJ), Jesse Wilson (Suffolk, VA); Fourth Class Kevin Manderville (Bridgewater, MA), Nicholas DeMarco (Revere, MA), Matthew Lynch (Somers, CT), and Sean Hurley-Delvecchio (Chatham, MA).

Engine Operations: First Class Marissa Cap (Newburyport, MA), Terrence Cavrachi (Middleboro, MA), Mark Brien (Methuen MA), Christopher Chaney (Hull, MA); Third Class Elliot Lewis (Bennington, VT), Daniel Robinson (Stoneham, MA), Devin Brodeur (Ashford, CT); Fourth Class Timothy Falconieri (Plymouth, MA), Danielle Soar (Templeton, MA), Meghan Weir (Andover, MA), and Christopher Lauria (Peabody, MA).

Commandant's Department: First Class Ben Schaff (New Orleans, LA), Benjamin Wilbur (Sharon, CT); Third Class Adam LaBranche (Bellport, NY), Amelia Crane (Marstons Mill, MA); Fourth Class John Albani (Dedham, MA), and Laura Marin (West Yarmouth, MA).

Marine Transportation Department: Sarah Knott (Sandwich, MA), Steven Pool (Key West, FL), Third Class Kevin Griffin (Auburn, MA), Edward Kern (Hopkington, MA); Fourth Class Christopher Talbot (Scituate, MA), and Sean McLaughlin (Fairhaven, MA).

Marine Engineering Department: Corey Stewart (Eastham, MA), Armand Pimentel (Fairhaven, MA); Michael Breslin (Hanover); Fourth Class Jonathan Wilbur (Mattapoisett, MA) , Alexandra Chrysovergis (Sharon, MA).

Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Department: First Class Michael Senzapaura (Tyngsboro, MA) and Fourth Class Alexander Barnas (Easton, PA).
International Maritime Business Department: First Class Matthew Miles (Groveland, MA) and Fourth Class John Gallagher (Buzzards Bay, MA).

Emergency Management and Homeland Security: First Class Steven Naylor (Waterbury, CT) and Fourth Class James Hannaford (Lynn, MA).

Captain's Master's Awards: Cruise Commander Jack Gomes (Acushnet, MA); Third Class Mariano Robles (Venetia, PA) and Fourth Class Matthew Perkins (Methuen, MA).

Congratulations to all of these fine cadets!

More Tomorrow...

FTV 2/15/12

In the Virgin Islands a group of cadets and I went on a snorkel tour of a small island where hard bottom environments are found. These ecosystems are just off the shore where rocks and ancient coral reefs jut out of the ocean floor and become habitats for a variety of fishes and invertebrates. Hard bottom reefs are well-populated habitats because the hiding places and hard structure of the reef provide shelter for many smaller animals. The abundance of smaller animals at the reef provides food for many larger animals. Fishes in hard bottom reefs are affected by watersheds in several ways. The nutrients carried by watersheds support the microscopic plants in the ocean that are the basis of all the food webs in the ocean, including the ones reef fish are dependent on. Pollutants in watersheds can also affect reef fishes, because they will eventually flow into and contaminate the ocean, and can be detrimental to the fishes’ health. Many reef fishes are particularly affected by contamination in watersheds, because their larvae are carried inshore by currents to estuaries and salt marshes. These estuaries and salt marshes act as nurseries for these young fishes. Because these habitats do not have as much water in them as the ocean and they are also having water flow through them from watersheds, any pollutants in the watershed will be in these habitats in high concentrations. These high concentrations of contaminants can have devastating effects on the vulnerable larval fish populations. This will eventually decrease the adult populations in the hard bottom reef habitats.

This habitat is found on the continental shelf .Hard bottom reefs are areas of rock and ancient coral; places where the underlying rock sticks up through the sand. The hard surfaces provide structure to which sessile organisms, such as sponges and sea whips, attach themselves. Sessile organisms are animals that attach to a surface and remain there their entire lives. These sessile organisms cover hard bottom areas. The invertebrates found attached in this area include worm tubes, sponges, barnacles, and soft corals. Because they are in relatively shallow water, powerful storms such as hurricanes stir up the bottom in these areas and can bury these live bottom reefs in sand, as well as all the animals attached to them. Fish typical of this habitat are the grouper family; this fish has a long life expectancy and tends to remain in its preferred habitat, perhaps behaving territorially. Other typical fish of this ecosystem are snapper, black sea bass, barracuda, and rays.

Your challenge today is to create a real estate pamphlet that is geared towards one particular species of fish above. The pamphlet will describe a home (the type of habitat the fish is most likely to live in and thus, most likely to appeal to it), local restaurants and the food they serve (food that fish would eat), and nurseries that would be used by the young of the species (the places where the young of the species go to mature and why these places are beneficial to them). The location in the coastal waters of these habitats will be described. The last page of the pamphlet will be used to describe potential problems with the habitats you are describing. For adult fish habitats, describe things such as fishing pressures the fishes may have to deal with. Describe how many juveniles of the species use salt marshes as nursery grounds, explain how the water quality of the salt marsh they have will have on the nursery and potential sources of pollution that may be flowing in with the watershed.

Captain's Blog 2/15/12

I'm getting a sense of wrap-up. We are trying to get all the ship's business and maintenance items completed, and I know the faculty is working toward final examinations on Friday. We'll do a field day on Saturday where everyone works the day away cleaning...it'll come together-it always does.

Last night the SGA conducted their annual Las Vegas night. They take over the cadet mess and set up home-made roulette wheels, crap tables and poker tables. They use phony money - and good thing or the IRS would be all over us - the big winner was 4/C James Nguyen, taking home B'$16,750 (Buc Dollars), which allowed him to win the prize of 'First off the Ship. 3/C Daniel Riley was second, and was given the 'Ride in the Captain's Chair' through the canal on Sunday morning. 3/C Bryan Pascoe will be Regimental Commander for a Day; while 1/c Mike Cotter and 4/C Camille Aiello won 'No Mo Fo for a Day'. 4/C John Berry and 4/C Nick Holder have won no regimental inspections and no Friday sign-in days. And 3/C Melanie Holder will have the privilege of breakfast in bed - served by the Regimental Commander on Saturday.

One crazy event was the judging of the 'Cheesy Moustache Contest'. It was funny judging maybe 30 young men that had paid an entry fee to see how poorly they could grow a moustache. Many of course knew they could grow one easily, and paid just to grow one - but for about seven cadets, it was a serious competition for really bad facial hair. Judges included Barber Roger, 2nd AE DePersis, 3rd AE Hobson, CAPT Rozak and me - and it was easy to thin the field down to three, then the final was hard. But 4/C Dylan Chaves bested 4/C Andrew Byrne and 4/C Corey Barnett.

More tomorrow...