KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 29, 2016 – This month the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point added a barge to its fleet of training vessels. SWOB FP-217, once used as a Sewage Ship Waste Offload Barge (S-SWOB) was originally designed to collect sewage from Navy ships and small craft that are at anchor or are moored at piers without sewers. Her future will be a bit more glamorous starting next trimester when she is used as part of USMMA’s new Towing and Small Vessel Operations class, which will be taught by Capt. Sean Tortora.

By Veronica Cassidy Barry