FTV Let the Voyage Begin!

Ahoy Everyone!

As family and friends were called to the board the Kennedy at 0600 this morning we started the process of embarking on our voyage. For the next hour and a half all cadets were able to see their loved ones and tour the ship. While everyone was taking pictures and cadets telling their parents what they have been doing on the ship there were many different feelings of emotion ranging from excitement and sadness.

   

On land, the well wishes were out in force but keep in mind that we still had to do some work in order to set sail.

We had sophomore and senior deckies (marine transportation majors) assisting and running mooring stations, which is when we release the lines from the dock and trip planning with their charts as well. Down below deck we had the engineers working with the engines to make sure everything was running smoothly in order to depart on time. Along with this we had little task such as unloading all trash to have less on board.

When the time came after our sailing muster, which is when we take attendance before the ship leaves to make sure that everyone is accounted for, at 0745 we then proceeded to man the rails. We all stand along the starboard side of the ship and wave to all that came to see us off which is enjoyable for everyone, minus the cold.

I can say for most of all the cadets here on board we were all very excited

to get under way and begin the sea term of 2016. It was a big morning of
happiness and good byes, but it will be a great experience for everyone on
board and how many college students our age can say that they are going to
all of the places that we will be going to on this voyage? Thank you all
who came to see us off today! All of the cadets were very happy to see
everyone.

Until next time,
Courtney


As the ship begins to move it gains momentum, and its potential energy converts to kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion; any object that is moving has kinetic energy.

Potential energy is the energy that an object has because of its position. Potential energy can also be thought of as stored energy — energy that an object has, as an inherent characteristic, but is not in use. It is sometimes called gravitational potential energy (PE). It can be expressed mathematically as follows:

PE = mass x g x height where PE is the potential energy measured in Joules (J) and g is the acceleration due to gravity. At sea level g = 9.81 meters/sec2. An example of potential energy is a book resting on the edge of a table. If you were to nudge it off the edge of the table the book would fall to the floor and make a loud noise. This is an expression of kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion; any object that is moving has kinetic energy. The falling book in this example is an illustration of kinetic energy. The kinetic energy depends on both mass and velocity and can be expressed mathematically as follows:

Momentum can be thought of as "mass in motion" and is given by the expression:

Momentum = mass x velocity



Hands-on Activity: Bouncing Balls (middle school)
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