KINGS POINT, N.Y., November 21,2014 – On Friday, November 7, 2014 the United States Merchant Marine Academy’s (USMMA) training vessel, T/V Kings Pointer, completed her Fall Break Training Cruise to Philadelphia.  The vessel was fully crewed by licensed and unlicensed professional mariners plus a group of cadets earning sea days toward their United States Coast Guard licenses. Each midshipmen was given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and demonstrate various competencies during the vessel’s first training mission of the Academic Year.  “The Kings Pointer is an integral part of midshipman training and development,” said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent. “We are very pleased that so many midshipmen were able to participate in the Fall Break cruise.”

Prior to the vessel’s departure from Kings Point, Adam Donohoe, Master of the T/V Kings Pointer, and Chief Mate Jay Amster completed familiarization and safety drills. During the eight day voyage midshipmen stood 4-hour watches and worked on sea projects. 

Deck Cadets, under the guidance of Licensed Officers, conned the vessel and made practical use of the electronic chart system and radar, and effectively communicated with traffic via the VHF radio. They conducted steering casualty drills and both day and night man overboard drills with shipboard recovery. They also performed a great deal of terrestrial navigation as the vessel travelled up and down both the Hudson and Delaware Rivers. In addition to standing engine watches, the Engine Cadets worked on several welding projects.

Captain Donohoe complimented the crew.  “For the first time working together the crew performed well. Special thanks to Denis Coursen who fed us over the course of the voyage.” He also praised the midshipmen, “they transitioned straight from exams to the voyage very well. The embarked midshipmen had a positive attitude and conducted themselves in a professional manner. The crew is looking forward to getting the vessel underway more frequently moving forward.”