FTV Cadets and the Maritime Community

Pictured are Mr. Busto, 2/c Jonathan Gardner, Ensign Brandon Heath, and 2/c michael Shaughnessy.

On Monday two cadets went to the Museo Del Mar to present the owner, Mr. José Busto with a life ring of the Kennedy. Mr. Busto had sent a message to the Kennedy asking if he could get a life ring from our ship donated to his museum. He has the world's largest collection of life rings, anything from passenger vessels to oil tankers is what he collects. 

                                               

In addition to life rings he has hundreds of model ships, antique navigational equipment, and some pieces of which he had built himself. 

Mr.Busto, a lifelong mariner now runs his museum in San Juan as a hobby. He currently works as a port agent at the cruise terminal. He gets help from his two sons, both of which are captains for royal caribbean cruise lines.

This life ring from the TS Kennedy, is the last life ring that we had that has Buzzards Bay as the homeport. now all the life rings and life boats say Cape Cod for our home port.

Featured featured below is a life ring from the old presidential yacht, El Presidente. For many years, the United States had a presidential yacht that served several Presidents including JFK who spent many hours onboard with his family in Hyannis port, MA. The yacht was used for leisure as well as work and was a symbol of our nation's deep maritime heritage.

Click here for a virtual tour of Museo Del Mar
Sea History for Kids is full of interesting facts about a wide variety of all things maritime
Women in Maritime History
Massachusetts Maritime Museums to visit