FTV 2/8/2010 The MSEP Classroom

The Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MSEP) major at MMA began in 1993. The field of environmental and health safety is un going tremendous growth because every company and agency, on both land and sea has to have a department that is responsible for the health and safety of its employees, and minimizing the impacts of the company/agency's on the environment.

The MMA MSEP students will gain knowledge in science, management, and laws related to the environment, environmental issues, safety in the workplace on land and at sea, as well as emergency crisis management. Additionally, students participate in a least one 'sea-term 'to become familiar with marine and terrestrial ecosystem or conduct an environment safety internship.

In this picture Dr. J and 1/C Cadet Michael Senzapaura make a Hazardous Materials and You presentation to 4/C Cadets. The presentation discussed hazardous materials that can damage living organisms, personal property, or the nature environment. The PowerPoint went on to describe hazardous waste that poses threats to both life, property, and the environment, and to explain how any chemical can be a hazardous material.

In this activity you will examine Toxic substances and their effects on the human body.

Captain's Blog 2/7/12

The transition from Pacific Ocean to Caribbean Sea is always striking this time of year. While the Pacific is calm, hot and dry - the Caribbean is warm, windy and humid. Not five miles from the Cristobal Breakwater we could discern the ship's motion, gently climbing into head seas and coming down in a relaxing monotony.

Our northbound transit was smooth. It was interesting watching the large number of cadets and crew out on deck watching our lift through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks. The crowd diminished significantly when we entered Gaillard Cut, and once we left Gamboa there was hardly anyone left out on deck to observe Gatun Lake passage. The experience of the locks is the same from day to night where the massive illumination makes night turn into day. In Gaillard Cut the steep stepped hills on each side are ominous at night - particularly on a moonlight night like last. But Gatun Lake is really cool at night because there has absolutely no 'light pollution', it is just plain dark. The only light one sees are the bright buoys and range markers. I liken it to being at an airport at night, where the taxi ways and runways are distinctly visible against the black tarmac.

So, after dropping to sea level at the Gatun Locks at 0045 we began the short passage to the sea. While enroute we discharged the seven UMIP cadets that rode the transit with us, accepted the repaired electric motor (that we had sent ashore on Friday), and discharged the pilot. At 0200 we took departure from Cristobal, and again we're in the Caribbean Sea.

More tomorrow...

FTV 2/6/12 Cadet Blog

The T.S. Kennedy was greeted in Panama with open arms from fellow alumni and friends. On Saturday night, Mass Maritime hosted reception for the Alumni and the U.S Ambassadors on the Helo Deck. It was a great time for the Alumni to reminisce and get to share a part of their past with their own families. There were numerous tours of the ship for families to experience what it is like to be on sea term, and for alumni to remember memories of their times aboard Everyone enjoyed themselves by talking with old friends and meeting new ones.

Where we are docked, is right next to the Bridge of Americas which was constructed by the same builder as the Bourne Bridge. It's almost identical; almost like our home away from home. During our stay some Panama City night life was amazing there were plenty of different clubs or bars to go to and all had different tastes of culture to offer. Panama by far is on the top of list for best port on this cruise. We just have to transit Panama Canal once more then be on our way to St. Thomas!

Captain's Blog 2/6/12

Disappointed and sad might be the best words to describe my mood since about 2200 last night. I like so many of our crew went ashore to see the Patriot's win the Superbowl. And all 400+ of us walked dejectedly (less our Giant's fans in the crew) back to the ship. I could go back to 2008 and copy my Captain's Log I wrote from Golfito - it was almost the same scenario of losing.

Oh well, as sad as I was, the sun rose this morning, the locks are still accepting and discharging ships and we will be departing the dock after 1400 today. We don't know the exact time of leaving, but we'll clear the Gatun Locks in Cristobal at 0040.

It has been a great port visit with all our friends here in Panama. We said good-bye to Father Jim, and welcomed Admiral Gurnon for a few days. We'll now push into the Caribbean Sea - start taking the Trade Winds on the bow as we steer toward the US Virgin Islands. And think, we've only two-weeks of cruise left! Wow. More tomorrow...

Admiral's Blog 2/5/12

"A wonderful time was had by all!"

Last evening the Kennedy hosted a reception aboard for local officials, MMA graduates, and senior administrative officers from the Universidad Maritimo Internacional de Panama (UMIP - the maritime academy of Panama). In addition many of the same MMA graduates we saw at the party we enjoyed last Friday evening at the Spanish fort in the old section of Panama City, many Americans from the US Embassy staff visited the ship including the Deputy Chief of Mission, the US Naval Attache and the US Coast Guard liaison. Shipping company officers stationed in Panama for Evergreen and China Ocean Shipping were in attendance, as well as port operations folks from the thriving container business here. And the Operations Chief from Authoridad de Panama Canal was present, rubbing elbows with all the canal pilots that work under his direction.

 All in all there were 165 people at the reception, this included many of the ship's officers and a large contingent of the cadet officers. We even saw some of our own students that have been studying at UMIP on an exchange program. As the evening played out, a proposal came from a Marine Transportation professor asking if we could carry some UMIP cadets on our transit - of course - all the people that needed to approve such a passage for the cadets were present - and it was done. So tomorrow when CAPT Bushy takes the Kennedy off the dock, seven Panamanian cadets will be on the bridge with him.

So the details of the Kennedy transit tomorrow have been established - laying alongside the dock until 1400 hours, then getting underway and heading north. By that time I will be nearing Logan International Airport - going back the cold northern climates once again. I have had a wonderful time visiting the cadets and crew - as well as all the alumni. Witnessing the excitement aboard while on the sea term is truly a gift. The cadets are upbeat as they are learning the practical aspects of their future careers, and the staff are relentless in the pursuit of proper training and safety standards. And the food is awesome too. I'll go back knowing in a few short weeks the tanned faces lining the rails as Kennedy will have had the adventure of a lifetime, and I'm glad I could share in that.

Captain's Blog 2/4/12

Provided by guest blogger, Capt. Elizabeth Stevenson Las Bovedes Restaurant in the old city of Panama was the scene of the big alumni event last night. MMA alumni and staff from the Kennedy were greeted by dozens of Panamanian MMA Alumni along the giant sea wall along overlooking the entrance to the canal. Atop the sea wall, panoramic views of the city skyline, canal entrance filled with ships awaiting passage and the Bridge of Americas (which eerily looks just like the Sagamore Bridge!) was the vista as hors d'ourves and wine were served.

The Panamanian contingent were warm and welcoming as we eventually made our way along the seawall, down an ancient set of wide stairs, to the plaza where traditional Panamanian dancers entertained us before we sat at the outdoor patio for an amazing meal of classic cervici, fresh sea bass, a delicious scalloped potato type dish, beef medallions with sauce, rice and more.

The highlight was not the sights or the food (although the flan and rice pudding desserts were amazing!), but our alumni of Panama. With over thirty alumni present including canal pilots, shipping agents, and captains, who accompanied by wives and guests, there was non-stop conversation - many faces were known but for those alumni meeting for the first time, it was like family. Most conversations began with 'Hi, I'm Elizabeth - class of '97' which was then followed by the other persons name, class year and then rolling into what company you were part of, the new buildings on campus, stories of being a cadet, and ending with promises to visit and guarantees to come back to Taylor's Point - soon!

While our Panamanian alumni may be old friends, and others new friends we just met, we will be with our shipmates again today! This morning we are hosting both delegates from the US Embassy and our alumni for a tour of the ship. Cadets volunteered their time to assist with this project and are excited to show off the Kennedy.

This evening, Capt. Bushy is hosting a similar group for a reception aboard the Kennedy. Tonight's event will also include invited cadets (mostly seniors in leadership positions) so while today's maintenance crew is busy getting the vessel in top shape, and the Chartwells staff with Chef Jim and Chef Mike are in the galley preparing what is sure to be a culinary delight - and we will blog about it tomorrow!

NOTE from Captain Bushy: I want to thank Elizabeth for giving me a day off - and tomorrow I will have another guest blogger - you'll all be impressed!

FTV 2/3/2012 A Visit to a Cocoa Farm

A visit to a Cocoa Farm: While in Ecuador, we visited a cocoa farm, where they grow and process chocolate cocoa from the fruit of the cacao tree ((Theobroma cacao). The tree is grown throughout the wet lowland ecosystems near the Mangroves of Ecuador. These trees prefer to be in the shade of taller trees. Its thick trunk supports a canopy of large, leathery, oblong leaves.

The small, foul-smelling, pinkish flowers are borne directly on the branches and trunk; they are followed by the fruit, or pods, each yielding 20-40 seeds, or cocoa beans. Once the fruit is harvested, it is dried and ground into a cocoa powder. At the farm we were treated to a delicious hot cocoa made simply from the ground beans, some water, and a little bit of cinnamon. It was a delicious treat, thanks to the tropical rain forest we can enjoy it anytime.

Captain's Blog 2/3/12

We were at anchor last night and went to bed with no clear understanding of what time we would go in, only a promise from our agent. At 2300, we called the control center as instructed and they acted like our ship was anchored on Mars. A few phone calls later and we had it on track but still with no set time.

At 0400, we were informed that the canal boarding team was coming, here we go again, with another series of forms to complete and they were finished at 0500. Finally, we were told that at 0700 the pilot would be here. So, we shortened chain at 0700 and, sure enough, the pilot boat arrived at about 0715.

The pilot was surprisingly an American that has been working the canal for 40 years and is a Kings Point graduate. When I delicately asked why he was still down here what with the changeover to Panamanian control, he smiled and said 'I like it'. Enough said. He was also accompanied by Leo Icaza, a 1992 grad, who “'just wanted to come along for the ride'. He spent most of his time down in the Officer's Mess talking with his old Professors.

So, we were all finished with engines at about 0930. After another long line of port authority officials, we were granted free pratique at 1040. So, all the crew are heading ashore for an adventure in Panama City but I will be taking a nap. More tomorrow...

FTV 2/2/2012 Mangrove Wetland Ecosystems of Ecuador

Mangroves are large trees that grow in wetlands in Ecuador, These mangroves live on land but they are able to survive with their roots in salt water. Vast forests of mangroves grow along the river shoreline. These trees stand over the dark waters, with their interlocking roots forming a tangle on the damp river edge.

Mangroves trap silt from slow flowing river water to form new land. This helps prevent tidal erosion and traps nutrients that nourish the ecosystem. Migratory waterfowl, wading birds, and small mammals thrive on crabs, mussels, and other tiny creatures that inhabit the waters around the shore. Some mangrove trees filter the salt out of the brackish river water, and other mangrove tree species can excrete salt through special glands, as a result these mudflats are rich in nutrients providing a good source of food for marine organisms.

These ecosystems provide nurseries for fish and marine invertebrates as well as providing shelter for wildlife, and protection from coastal erosion; however this important ecosystem is being threatened by coastal development A typical food web for this ecosystem includes microorganisms that grown in the mud which provide food for larger organism such as shrimps, and crabs. These shrimp and crabs attract birds, mammals, and other small reptiles such as lizards that provide food for larger species such as raccoons, coyotes, snakes and large wading birds.

To learn more about other marine ecosystems try this activity.

Captain's Blog 2/2/12

DATE 2/2 THUR
TIME 0800LT (ZD +5), 1300 GMT ARRIVAL
LAT 8-50N
LON 79-22W
C 011
S 11.0 K
RPM 53
DEPTH 29 METERS
WIND NORTH FORCE 3
SKY 6/8
PRES 1011
AIR 75-68
SEA 73
8 NM EAST OF ISLA TABOGUILLA, PANAMA PREPARING TO ANCHOR

This morning we rose to another cloudy day, a little gloomy as we head into Panama. But today was an anchor drill day, when the first class cadets can hone some skills in shiphandling, anchoring and engine maneuvering. We selected an anchorage spot off in a corner of the anchorage where few ships were, and approached from the east. The weather was perfect for it, very little wind and no discernible currents.

Three watch sections took turns as we anchored, heaved and repeated the process three times. The bridge watch determines the proper positioning of the vessel, the conning cadet calls for course and engine speed changes, the bow detail is handing the anchor windlass, and the engine watch is answering the bells. It is all very interesting, and an invaluable experience for them, as often when those operations are taking place I have the conn and the Engineering officers are working to make sure no mistakes are made.

In the close proximately of docks or other ships, we cannot allow mistakes since the ship's momentum might make recovery almost impossible. So, we are now swinging on four shots of anchor chain with the port anchor -awaiting boarding by the Panama Canal authorities and our agent. We had better rest up because this is a very busy social port.

We have cadets going to visit the Panama Canal Pilots training center where they have a new 360 degree simulator, inclusive of every inch of the Canal and another group will visit the lock systems at Miraflores. On Friday night there will be an alumni sponsored dinner for all alumni and professors aboard.

On Saturday we host a large group from the US Embassy for a tour, and then later on we'll have a media team from the Embassy aboard to interview our Panamanian cadets. Then Saturday night we will host a Ship's Reception, with alumni, Embassy officials, Panamanian Authorities from the government and the Canal, faculty and students from the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), as well as our cadets doing an exchange study at UMIP. Sounds like a busy night - and then there is the Super Bowl and the Patriots.

More tomorrow...