T/V KINGS POINTER

The Kings Pointer is The United States Merchant Marine Academy's Capital Training Ship. The United States Maritime Administration acquired the Kings Pointer in 2012. The Kings Pointer, formally Liberty Star, 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.

Capt. Scott McCormick, C/M Derek Schubert, and C/E Rob Gorgy utilize the vessel as a valuable training platform to educate, and prepare Midshipmen for their upcoming Sea-Year.

T/V Kings Pointer is stationed inside Kings Point's Hague Basin, on the newly renovated Mallory Pier.
 

HISTORY

Formally known as Liberty Star, the Kings Pointer was build in 1980 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Atlantic Marine Shipyard, on Fort George Island, near Jacksonville, FL. 

She was one of two sister vessels that recovered Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's) from the Space Shuttle after launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, FL. Approximately seven minutes after Space Shuttle liftoff, SRB's would touch down, with the assistance of three parachutes, in the Atlantic Ocean. Each vessel would retrieve one SRB, the continue to tow the booster back home to Cape Canaveral, FL for reconditioning.

The Kings Pointer's sister ship, Freedom Star, still maintains her original name, and is the training vessel at the Seafarers International Union training school, in Piney Point, MD.