FTV 1/12/2013 The Cadets receive a warm sendoff

Today Friends and Family of the Mass Maritime Cadets gathered at Taylor's Point to bid a fond farewell to the crew of the T.S. Kennedy. As the cadets lined up along the ships deck in anticipation of their 9:24 am planned departure the well wishers cheered, took photos, and held up signs of farewell.

The Dock was filled with well wishes at 8 this morning

Last years Cadet wish this years SeaTerm Cadets a good trip

Moms, grand moms, and sisters say good bye.

Moms and Dad see their Cadets off to Sea

Farewell from Friends

Little Sisters sad to see them go.

In any language Goodbyes are bittersweet.

Alicia Tarr will be our Follow the Voyage Guide, she will keep us posted on  all the ships adventures

The Tugboat reminds us that departure is imminent.

Follow the Voyage Students get ready to blog. Hear's how.

On the FTV Blog (www.maritime.edu/seaterm) in the lower right corner you will click on ship tracker

The Ship Tracker Screen will appear, you will see a map of Buzzards Bay with little red dots around it. These dots are the ships location for a given day. Beneath the map are links to data you need to record. For example: the tides, temperature, and visibility readings.

  Beneath those links you will see the name of the ship and its current position (longitude & latitude) Using the new position plot the ships new position. Draw a line between the two dots. This is the new distance.

Measure the distance between the previous location and the current location (using the map key) to get the distance traveled for that time period. Using the distance and time period you can calculate the average velocity for the day using the formula  Velocity= distance/time.

Alternatively, you can calculate the distance using this online calculator

Next return to the blog entry and perform the activities suggested.

FTV 1/11/2013 Onloading

Once the freshmen got all of their gear situated on the ship, it was time to get to work. It is our job to work together to get all of the supplies we need on board. Shipment trucks pull up to the dock with all of our essentials. Certified drivers use the forklifts to take the stockpile out of the trucks and line it up alongside the ship. Then, the cadets form an "assembly line" and hoist everything aboard the Kennedy.

The freshmen are sure to put each shipment in its proper place on the ship. The line extended into the messdeck, the refrigerator, and the cleaning supply locker. Onloading is a perfect example of teamwork aboard a ship. We had to cooperate and be very patient with eachother in order to make sure the ship is prepared to feed and provide for us and our shipmates. Now that the ship has been stocked up, we re almost ready to set sail and really begin our voyage!

~Alicia

One of the most challenging jobs for the ships kitchen crew is to plan meals that will be nutritious  and delicious as well as creating the least amount of waste that must be held on the ship until it can be properly disposed of with no harm to the environment Try this activity to learn how to prepare a menu and snacks ahead of time will help group members pack lightly with a minimal amount of garbage and will make the use of a stove more convenient, eliminating the need for a campfire. .

Whaling ship Captains had similar problems when it came to feeding their crew. 
Here's a Challenge:
Can you figure out how much food the Captain would have to bring for his voyage?

FTV 1/10/2013 Preparation

Probably the most important part of the check in process,  is for everyone to receive their Billet Cards. These are card documents given to each cadet that has all of their information on them: name, berth number, rack number, life boat number, and your duty should there be an emergency or boat drill. 

Berthings can hold anywhere from one rack to 42 racks, depending on your position aboard this ship. Usually, the ship's crew will have the single berthings while rates have berthings with six racks. Below deck are the holds that contain freshmen and sophomore deck and engine cadets. Each person has one rack (bed) assigned to them. These racks lift up for storeage. Along with the rack is an assigned wall locker and a life preserver just above it. That is the life preserver's designated spot. After a drill, it must be put back to avoid losing it. This ensures that there is a life preserver readily available for everyone.

The life boats are stationed on the boat deck and ready for launch in case of an emergency. Drills take place to ensure that everyone knows what to do if there is an emergency. In order to make sure everything goes smoothly during drills, each person is assigned a job. This way, people aren't calling out orders over each other and causing chaos.

It may sound like a lot of information on just a little card, but it's necessary to cover all the basis when safety is at stake. MMA takes safety seriously; everyone needs to make smart choices and descisions not only for their own well being, but for the well being of everyone on the ship.

Being part of Sea Term 2013 on the T.S. Kennedy is just like being part of a machine. In order for the machine to get the job done, everything has to be fine tuned and working for it to be successful. That's the plan; if everyone plays their part and prepare themselves for the voyage, the freshmen will successfully complete their first Sea Term and the Sophomores and Seniors will have furthered their education toward their licenses.

~Alicia

How to pack your bags for such a big adventure is on everyone's mind. Think about how you would go about packing try these activities.
Packing for Antartica
What would you pack in your suitcase if you were going on Seaterm. Share your results with your classmates.
Here's another challenge.

FTV January 9, 2013 Cadet Leaders Arrive

We're back!

This morning the gangway was bustling! All the cadet rates arrived with gear in hand ready to get Sea Term 2013 started! We're all moved on to the Kennedy and have had our preliminary safety briefing from Captain Bushy, Captain Rozak, Commander Kelleher, and Dr. Cuckor.

Right now, the Marine Engine rates are making sure the engine room is prepared while the Deckies and non-license rates are onloading some cleaning equipment and other necessities for the cruise.

Having leaderhip positions, it is helpful that we are here before the rest of the cadets. Since we will all be settled, our full attention can be given to the freshmen who will be experiencing Sea Term for the first time. Thinking back to my freshman Sea Term, in 2010, coming back to school and moving onto a ship was a different experience. With so many people and their bags, I was definitely a little overwhelmed. But with the Senior Leadership taking command, we were organized and able to move on without a hitch!

The senior rates will be taking the freshmen under their wings throughout this jouney. It is their job to be the educators in the classroom, maintenance, and watch experiences. In a sense, the rates are the teachers while the teachers are the supervisors. I'll be visiting the classes once we are underway, and I will be able to introduce the rates and their supervisors to you.

~Alicia

Planning a trip of this kind is a task that requires much planning and organization, as the ship prepares to leave on its Seaterm 2013, let's investigate what skills are needed to prepare for a class trip of any size. If you follow theses links you will learn what a challenge trip planning can be.

Plan a class trip or try this take a trip activity. You can even plan a trip across the state with this activity

FTV 12/25/2013 MMA Cadets and their Majors- International Maritime Business

Happy Holidays!
I hope all of you have had a wonderful time with your friends and families this season. I was able to get a short interview in over the phone during all of the festivities. Meet Chip!

Ludvigs "Chip" Vaivarins is a 1/C IMBU Cadet from Plymouth, Ma. I have known Chip since feshman year. He is planning on having his second internship during this winter.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "International Maritime business is the best of all trades." IMBU teaches students about the maritime shipping and transportation industry.

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "Business is the skeleton of the working field; it holds it all together." I do agree; having a background in any sort of business is definitely helpful today.

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "I plan on trying to further myself in the business industry, and see where it will take me."

The IMBU Hello/Goodbye gathering is truly a great opportunity to relax and mingle and be thankful for the blessings we enjoy at MMA. With invested cadets and faculty like this, it is no wonder students are flocking to study International Maritime Business!

The International Maritime Business (IMB) major prepares graduates to enter the maritime shipping and transportation industry as a business professional. The program includes elements of international business, logistics, and transportation. The cadets take courses in vessel familiarization, business computations, admiralty law, port operations,  economics, finance, accounting, business of shipping, global logistics, chartering and brokerage, marine insurance, international business, negotiations and organization management. The practical component of the curriculum includes one sea term and two internships. The IMB program requires the students to complete the two co-ops typically during their junior and senior years.  A summer session co-op, mid June thru August, and a winter session co-op, late December thru February, typically run for 6-8 weeks.  The IMB co-op program provides the students with excellent opportunities to gather practical experience in their chosen field in keeping with the 'learn-do-learn' philosophy of the institution and develop future employment prospects.

To learn more about this career try these activities:

12/22/2013 MMA Cadets and their Majors- Marine Transportation

So, when you think "Mass Maritime" visions of the T.S. Kennedy and other nautical images come to mind. The Marine Transportation major is the most closely related to what we picture Mass Maritime to portray. I have asked a few of my "Deckie" friends to answer the interview questions you have seen in my past posts.

Laura Basile is a 1/C Marine Trans. Cadet. Last year, she was a Squad Leader for Sixth Company with me, and my roommate. This winter, she will be going on Sea Term as well! Marine Trans. Cadets have to pass three Sea Terms: Freshmen year, Sophomore year, and Senior year. During their Junior year, they ship out with maritime companies for their cooperatives.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "I drive really big ships." That is definitely the goal of the major! To get out there and master merchant marine vessels!

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "I chose it because I felt like it's where I belong. It felt right and was really interesting."

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "I would like to do something in my field, but a shore side job. Not deep sea."

Lauren DeNapoli is also a 1/C Deckie Cadet. She is the Regimental Training and Retention Officer of MMA's Regiment of Cadets. Lauren has also become MMA's Crew Team Captain, participating in the sport since her very first semester. Lauren will also be on Sea Term 2013!

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "Marine Transportation prepares students for life on a ship and gives them the knowledge they need to be successful in the maritime industry."

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "I chose MTRA because of my freshman Sea Term. I loved the feeling of being on a ship and looking out the window to see nothing but ocean. It's very relaxing. I also like the industry as a whole, it's very interesting and there's always something happening. I also love the boat handling. There are so many opportunities, either on big ships or supply vessels or tugs that  MTRA can prepare you for!"

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "I am currenly looking into jobs in the Gulf of Mexico on a supply vessel. With one of the OSV companies. Those jobs have great schedules and I've heard great things about hte work they do. They also get alot of boat handling experience, which is something that I would like to perfect!"

Alexander Jagielski is a 2/C Deckie, Squad Leader of Sixth Company. He will be shipping out this winter for his co-op.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "Through Coast Guard regulations and MMA, I am studying and learning all there is to know about becoming a Third Mate licensed officer upon a ship."

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "I chose my major after my freshman sea term, simply for the fact that I feel in love with the open ocean. At sea is where I feel comfortable and free."

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "After I graduate, I plan on deep sea shipping for a few years. My dream is to work for a RO/RO ship traveling the world. After a few years of shipping out, I plan on coming ashore and working on tug boats as a tug pilot. Or possibly working with ferry's in New England."

Use this interactive to learn some Navigation Facts                                   
Unscramble these navigation terms       
Hands-on Activity: The North (Wall) Star or Where Am I: Navigation and Satellites

FTV 12/20/2012 MMA Cadets and their Majors- EM

Ian Memmi is a 2/C Emergency Management Cadet. He is also participating in the Cadet EMT program, new to the Academy.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "Emergency Management. Need I say more? It is the management of emergencies in terms of preparation, planning, and communication."

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "It's the only thing that I've ever imagined myself doing. I enjoy the challenge, and feel gratified by the opportunity to serve the people and their safety."

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "I am interested in working at the local or county level, mostly with response to hazardous materials incidents."


Emergency management professionals protect communities by coordinating and integrating all activities necessary to prepare for, respond to, and recover from threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters. The profession and the academic discipline that addresses this 'management' of emergencies and disasters is called emergency management. An emergency is any unplanned event that can cause deaths or significant injuries, shut down business or disrupt operations, cause physical or environmental damage and/or threaten reputation or revenue.

Emergencies and disasters come in all shapes and sizes. They include hurricanes, earthquakes, hazardous materials incidents, flooding, structure fires, tornadoes, terrorism, protests, human epidemics, volcanic eruptions, drought, heat waves, power outages, computer system failures and many, many more.

Whatever the event, effective coordination among federal, state, country and local government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and volunteer agencies- before, during and after an incident- is crucial to effective emergency management. The role of the emergency manger is to promote coordination among all of these parties.

The Kennedy's recent trip to New York was to aid and support the Emergency Workers.

Here is a fact sheet to learn about  Emergency Management Careers
Try these activities to learn more about Getting Ready for local emergencies.

FTV 12/17/12 The Kennedy Returns Home

Thanks to Cadet Meghan Thibeault for these pics

A Message from 

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

She’s back!

I suspect everyone had the same feeling driving down Academy Drive as they came on campus: the ship is safely back! After many long weeks of 24/7 work caring for and feeding the thousands of FEMA workers who were canvassing the neighborhoods of Staten Island New York helping out the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the officers and crew of the Kennedy have returned home safely - just in time for the Christmas holiday season.

Before they departed New York Saturday morning, David Matsuda, the US Maritime Administrator, presented Captain Bushy and all of the members of the Kennedy crew with the Merchant Marine Medal for their stalwart, steadfast service to the people of New York, hit so hard by the terrible storm. When the call for support came in early November, the officers and crew all volunteered for the task, not knowing how long they might be away. They missed many weekends and evenings with loved ones and even gave up Thanksgiving with their families to give a Thanksgiving celebration to the FEMA workers who were there on Staten Island trying to put life back together for the victims. Because of the efforts of the offices and crew of Kennedy, the FEMA workers responding to the emergency had a safe, warm place to sleep and good food to eat, both located right next to the neighborhoods they were assisting. No long transits to the disaster site from crowded motels hours from their work as after Hurricane Katrina, saving hundreds of thousands of man-hours and contributing to the efficiency of the entire operation.

Please join me in welcoming our friends and co-workers home and thanking them for their service to the communities so hard hit by Hurricane Sandy. While the MMA community now returns to our routine, happy to have our friends and family back home, may all who suffered losses due to the storm soon see a return to a more normal life.

With the ship safely returned to its  dock at home in Buzzards Bay. We can now look forward to preparing for our 2013 Seaterm. To accompany the daily FTV blog we have log books, one for each student, available to track the voyage virtually and classroom wall maps of the trip. These resources are available free to classrooms that are going to Follow the Voyage this year.

If you would like these free resources delivered to your school please
contact me with the names of the teachers their email addresses, number of
students logs required and number of classroom maps needed. If you would like a classroom visit from Alicia Tarr, cadet blogger, please email me so that we can make arrangements.

I look forward to sharing another sea adventure with your classes. Please feel free to stay in touch with me throughout the voyage at memery@maritime.edu

FTV 12/13/2012 MMA Cadets and their Majors- Marine Engine

Here's another interview from Alicia!

My 03 deck neighbor, and fellow Sixth Company Senior (1/C) Staff member, Kellen Nee is pursuing a Marine Engine major. He is the Sixth Company 03 Deck Platoon Leader and Disciplinary Officer. Everyday, he marches the Sixth Company freshman (4/C) platoon out onto the Parade Field at Morning Formation. As the Disciplinary Officer, Kellen determines the amount of demerits and hours of extra duty a cadet must perform at a Mast Hearing.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "The repair and understanding of the technology, requirements, maintenance, and theory of a ships propulsion plan, be it steam turbines, diesel engines and/or gas turbines."
Answer- " I plan to ship out and use my license. Eventually, I may transfer to shore side, after school is paid for. Either a power plant or state police."

MMA Marine Engineering Students on the Kennedy 

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.

Answer- "I come from a technical background, from a technical family"

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?

Since Kellen is a senior license major at MMA, he will be participating in his final Sea Term this winter. In the spring, he will have a series of Coast Guard exams, which will lead to his license as a Third Engineer. Good luck, Kellen!



Marine engineers and naval architects are involved 
in the design, construction, and maintenance of 
ships, boats, and related equipment. They design 
and supervise the construction of everything from 
aircraft carriers to submarines, and from sailboats 
to tankers. Naval architects work on the basic 
design of ships, including hull form and stability. 
Marine engineers work on the propulsion, steering, 
and other systems of ships. Marine engineers and 
naval architects apply knowledge from a range of 
fields to the entire design and production process 
of all water vehicles. 

Play this game to test your skills as a marine engineer-
3D Boat Builder

Choose your boat, customize it, and then drive it around your desk!

Here is an lesson activity to try your skills as a marine engineer: 

FTV 12/6 MMA Cadets and their Majors- MSEP

Hi FTV'ers!

As we get closer and closer to finals week, I was able to find some time in my shipmate's busy schedule to sit down and ask some questions about his major and how it pertains to him. Dylan Travers is a Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Junior or Second Class (2/C) Cadet at MMA, and is from Denver, Colorado. Our interview took place at our mutual tutoring spot in the Writing Resource Center.

Question 1. In your own words, explain your major.
Answer- "MSEP entials getting a practical education from the standpoint of an undergraduate program within the field of environmental protection, health and safety pertaining to  a number of different industries."

Question 2. Explain why you chose your major.
Answer- "I originally came to MMA for the Marine Transportation program, however felt at the time of a freshmen that I would rather do something involving environmental studies, problems, and solutions. This better suits me for what I want to do with my career and what I am passionate about."

Question 3. After graduation, what do you hope to do with your degree?
Answer- "I would like to get involved in the field of environmental remediation with either government in a national or state standpoint, or to address and solve environmental problems that face both the communities and the surrounding ecosystems."

As you know, Mr. Travers shares the same major with me along with the same enthusiasm for the environment. I chose MSEP because I came out of high school with a background in environmental science and technology and enjoyed every second of being out in the field. I also believe that understanding the environment and how we affect it is significant, especially looking toward the future. After graduation, I would like to work as an environmental officer on a cruise ship. I enjoy being out at sea, which is one of the reasons I took on the role as the FTV Cadet Coordinator.

More interviews to come!

~Alicia

From the FTV Classroom
To learn more about what an Environmentalist does.
Watch this video
Read this Fact Sheet
Try this activity