Bermuda or Bust

From the high seas, ship's librarian, Oleg has sent us an update.

Oleg tells us that classes aboard the TS Empire State began on Friday, May 16th.  However, our cadets have managed to divert themselves through various recreational activities.

Outside the library there are two adjoining rooms.  One room is the cadet lounge where the cadets can relax and watch movies in the evenings.  The other room has Fusball tables.

So naturally, the hushed sounds of the ship's library are often interrupted not only by the sound of the anchor chain coming up and down and the serene hum of the ship's engines, but the occasional yelp of a satisfied student who has managed to score and advance him or herself in a round of the SST's unofficial cadet fusball tournament!

Also, for those cadets who eschew the fusball table, they can always find a way to burn off steam at 1600 when they workout to "Insanity" exercise videos in the cadet lounge.  This is an uber-intense exercise series that a subset of the cadets and crew enjoy.  

Oleg also tells us that on Friday, the ship left Montauk and headed south.  The TSES will be heading to Baltimore vis-a-vis Bermuda.  Readers, please do not get excited or purchase a ticket to meet up with the ship in Bermuda.  The plan is that the ship will only circle Bermuda before heading to Baltimore.  

In any event, the ship underway in the Atlantic and Oleg writes that they hit rough seas on Saturday the 17th.  Designated teams of deck cadets were tasked to make sure all loose items were made secure.  Also, it was not uncommon to see some newcomers to SST sporting seasickness patches.  It is well that most of these cadets know the Riesenberg saying:

The sea is selective.  Slow at recognition of effort or aptitude but fast at sinking the unfit.

Riesenberg was from the Class of 1897, who did not  have sea sickness patches.

Other items of interest:

• The ship conducted its first fire drill of SST.  Oleg tells us that they were reminded to use starboard when going forward and up, and use port when going aft and down.
• Father Kenefick conducted a nice non-denominational service on Sunday

The address of the agent for Baltimore is:

Attn: John Connor, Inc.

799 Cromwell Park Drive

Suite A

Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Also, Oleg wants to let readers know that any person sending packages down to Baltimore should be aware that the agent is not accepting packages of any size.  Letters and cards are the only mailings that will be accepted.

Cadet shout outs:

"Baltimore or Bust!!!" from Alyssa Esposito.

"Hi Mom!" -- An anonymous 3rd Class Cadet who, quite intentionally, wishes to send his regards to ALL TSES VI Mothers.   We hope a shout out to all the Dads comes on Father's Day.