KINGS POINT, N.Y., Sep. 8, 2022 – Two U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) training vessels will be participating in the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival, this weekend. The T/V Kings Pointer and T/V Elizabeth Anne will be in New London for the Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10^th and 11^th. Both vessels will offer midshipman-led tours.

The Kings Pointer is the Academy’s premier training ship. The United States Maritime Administration acquired the Kings Pointer in 2012. Formerly the Liberty Star, the vessel arrived at the Academy in 2013. The Kings Pointer is 176' in length, with a displacement of 1,052 tons. The ship is propelled by two 12 Cylinder EMD Engines, equating to 2,900 combined horsepower. This power turns two 7' controllable pitch propellers. In addition, the Kings Pointer is equipped with two thrusters, a stern water jet thruster, and a bow tunnel thruster.

The tug, Elizabeth Anne is 60' in length with a gross tonnage of 113 tons. The tug is powered by two Detroit Diesel Engines, rated at 800 horsepower. This power turns two propellers. The Elizabeth Anne returned to Kings Point in the Spring of 2021, after receiving a new state of the art electronics package that includes, new radars, chart plotter, AIS, auto pilot, and rudder indicators, making “The Tug” one of the most efficient and productive training platforms at USMMA.

Captain Scott McCormick, Deputy Director, Waterfront Operations and Training, said, “we are very happy to return to New London for this very important Festival. The midshipmen share their knowledge with visitors while also learning about our Nation’s rich maritime heritage.”

###

USMMA is the only federal service academy where graduates earn three graduation credentials – a Bachelor of Science Degree, a commission as an officer in the uniformed services of the United States, and a U.S. Coast Guard License as a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer.

As part of their service obligation, graduates of USMMA serve five years on active-duty in the military, or sail five years as officers in the U. S. Merchant Marine and eight years in the reserves. USMMA is the single largest commissioning source for USNR Strategic Sealift Officers; ensuring a steady stream of leaders and merchant marine officers to support the Nation’s economic and security interests.