Everybody's Working for the Weekend

6/28/12

Hi everyone! I hope you're all having a great weekend. It looks like we're having our first Sunday at Sea BBQ this weekend.  I hope you're enjoying the tastes of summer where you are, too!
To quote a popular line from Will Ferrell’s character in the movie, Old School, “Well, we’ve got a nice little Saturday planned…,” the weekend hit the EMPIRE STATE with just as little gusto. Since a ship never sleeps, we seem to be living each day by watch hours rather than calendar days. This “weekend” thing that we used to get excited for just doesn’t have the same pizzazz anymore. Sunrises and sunsets are more important for sighting celestial navigation problems/finding location, rather than marking the end of one day and the beginning of the next. It was surprising to at least one cadet I ran into on the way to the library that today was, indeed, Saturday.

“Good morning, and happy Saturday,” I said.
“Good morning… it’s Saturday?,” said Cadet Artie Seaman in disbelief, before returning to his maintenance station cleaning the soles on Cabin Deck.

Sorry, no Saturday morning cartoons on this watch!


6/29/12
So, many of you may be wondering, with all this studying going on in the library, what exams are the cadets actually studying for? I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.

I found out from 1/C Cadet Scott Wilson that many of these frequent visitors are, like himself, engineering students preparing for another round of seminar which qualifies engineering students to sit for their US Coast Guard 3rd engineer’s license. Unlike the deck students, he says that the engineers must take seminar while aboard the TSES and pass all six tests to qualify to sit for licensing when they get back in the fall. These tests are related to the use of lifeboats, firefighting, electricity, boilers, turbines, motors, diesel work, and theory - not to mention about 80% of their free time spent studying!

Studying alone or in groups can be tedious work, especially when they are required to score a 75% or higher on these tests for seminar. Reviewing over 230 pages of questions (to give you an idea, there are about 15 questions on each page) can be exhausting. Cadets Michael Elsasser, Eric Peccia, and Louis Pou have been working together on the same sets of questions for at least four days now. (Peccia says “Hi mom.”)

After a few more days, we’ll all be able to relax in Gibraltar.

Another shout out tonight is from 3/C Cadet Sara Ballard, who likes getting emails from her mom and enjoys the library for its selection of adventure books.

As for the library, I have been lucky in that I've escaped the notorious heat.  The library is above the fuel tanks, so when they start heating the fuel oil (which the engineers are threatening to do -- lucky me) the temperature sky rockets.  Still, it is getting and cooler -- the A/C is pumping and everybody who comes in here is grateful. 
To give you an idea of how news disseminates on the ship.  I receive news updates from our shoreside library (headline news, sport scores, etc), and I make them available to our community.  Sports scores and sports news are by far the item of interest du jour! Officers are really into the stock market updates too.

A smooth cruise so far, but looking forward to Gibraltar.

--Liz--

Time is on My Side

Dear Readers:

Having set our clocks forward by three hours now, some might think we aboard the TSES would be feeling the effects similar to those caused by Daylight Savings Time.  Losing sleep is not to be taken lightly especially so quickly, but we are all mustering through with our routines as if we’d just left Norfolk.  Included in this routine is dedication to physical fitness.  Much like the first half of cruise w cadets will come into the common areas such as the cadet lounge and area just outside of the library to exercise.  Between “Insanity” (high-intensity cardio/kickboxing style class), “Zumba,” and the traditional jump rope, physical fitness is almost a 24-hour activity here aboard the EMPIRE STATE.  Yours truly even went to an officers-only Insanity session attended by Chief Mate and three other officers.   It is not an easy program, let me tell you, but it’s darn good for when there are so many free desserts available!

There are many upcoming quizzes and tests on cnav, ship’s safety, and firefighting coming before Gibraltar.  Last night like clockwork at 1930 the library was flooded by about 30 cadets all at once.  Every chair in here was taken! As soon as someone would leave, there would be a line out the door for someone else to take their place.  Excluding the movie, the library saw over 90 cadets last night! 

--Liz the Librarian-- 

Rolling Seas

[Editor's Note:  For those readers wishing to see photographs and other media, these will be posted at port. Unfortunately, the email system does not allow for photo attachments due to file size.]

Dear Readers:

Even though we've had some nice, rolling seas over the past few days, students have been doing their best to fight off motion sickness come hill or high water (pun intended).  Between anti-seasickness patches, pills, bands, and good old fashion denial, students are slowly getting their sea legs just in time for more classes, and cleaning stations.  

When cadets aren't on watch, in class, or studying, they can be found from the early hours of the morning scraping, cleaning, painting, mopping, and waxing the ship until it nearly sparkles.  These duties are particularly important at sea to prevent rust – a major cause of deterioration of metal on ship.  The cadets have my personal gratitude for helping to keep our home for the next 42 days spotless!

As for the library, the rolls must have hit a bit harder last night, since I arrived in the library to (luckily!) just one shelf of books displaced during the night.  I've added another bungee as a precaution, but besides that (*knock on wood*)   we’re running a tight ship in the library.  I think one set of exams is over and now they can relax a little bit.   Some professors are still finishing their lesson plans and come into the library for support materials in ship’s business and security. There are about 80 Texas cadets here, and their officers have been coming by looking for academic materials.  Talk about inter-academy collaboration!

Word is we’re making good time towards the Azores, even with the rolling. Everyone else is more or less over their seasickness and getting their sea legs acclimated.  I’m doing well – I've been medicating since the beginning and again, knock on wood, I have had zero days seasick.

During the off-time, we’re all enjoying the delicious treats the Mess Deck has to offer.  At night, just around the time we show a movie for cadets, the Mess Deck opens a “snack bar” full of popcorn, nachos, and desserts, which can serve as a reward for some after a hard day’s work. Tonight there were chocolate chip cookies – an all-around favorite!

One last shout out this evening from engineering 3/C Cadet Thomas Maloney, who’s been reading the “First Responder” newspaper in the library, and says hi to all of his family ashore.  To Mr. and Mrs. Frisina, your cadet is doing a great job at his stations!

Fair Winds and Following Seas,

Liz Berilla

The Atlantic... Part Deux

[Editor's Note: Thank you for sending feedback to previous posts.  Your comments are being forwarded to Liz and are always very appreciated by the librarian.]

From Liz....

Great sailing today aboard the TSES – the students are continuing to explore their new surroundings and get into a routine with classes, drills, etc.  The food is GREAT, especially the desserts, which do wonders to keep everyone happy, including yours truly. :)  The library was VERY busy tonight, with cadets/crew doing research, studying, using the computers, watching the movie, and generally just "seeing what the library's about."

Although many cadets continue to take a moment or two daily to explore a new area of the ship with which they were not previously acquainted (including the library!), most are already acclimating to their work/watch/study schedules.  Engineer students are diligently studying for round two of seminar, and deck students are working on their celestial navigation work as well.  There are only a few kinks left in the email system to work out, but students who visit the library to use the computers are most frequently adding the salutation “Dear Mom and Dad…” to their notes

This time for nostalgia is short-lived, as we were briskly called on deck for our first round of safety drills, this time for fire.  Being the first of such drills (the others being man overboard, abandon ship, and security) to ensure the preparedness of the ship’s crew in case of emergency, cadets and crew mustered at their assigned stations for roll call.  Cadets were then inspected to make sure they were properly equipped for such an emergency.  Long sleeves? Check.  Ball cap? Check. Knife, flashlight, and life jacket?  Check, check, check!  We were lucky today that the weather was favorable to our outdoor drills – a few clouds dotted a bright blue sky as the ship rolled gently along across the Atlantic.

As for the library, I have been getting news (including sport scores) from my shore colleagues and these are being VERY well received!  Lots of Yankees versus Mets rivalries are breaking out in the library in a friendly sort of way, of course.  Some professors (especially those from Texas Maritime) are still working out lesson plans and come down to the library for ancillary materials; others have been perusing the DVD collection.  I’m surprised by the number of students who are diligently studying – focused for HOURS – on their homework or studying for seminar tomorrow.  I would have thought they’d do that a little later in the cruise, but they are finding the materials they need for the most part here which is reassuring!

And one of my first reference questions came up... this one was what the name of the “made up” language is, we think by a German linguist, which combined elements of many languages to make one “universal” language.   I've tried looking through our guides to English language, but nothing seems to ring a bell.   [Editor's Note:  I believe this was Esperanto.  Luckily for us we have a copy of the Encyclopedia Britannica aboard for these types of obscrue reference questions!] 

Summer Sea Term Part B Begins

Our first blog post from our librarian for the second leg of the journey, Elizabeth Berilla.  This is Liz's first cruise and she is very excited to be aboard as you shall see.  Comments and questions are more than welcome!

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We're off to a lovely start and (nearly) on-time departure from Norfolk at 1800. From my first-time visitor’s perspective, Norfolk was a sailor-friendly city, complete with shops, restaurants, and a naval museum.  Many cadets enjoyed their liberty by exploring the "Bayou Boogaloo," a veritable feast for the eyes and palates of Cajun-enthusiasts.  Complete with authentic delicacies (such as beignets and crawfish), artisans, and blues musicians, spectators could "laissez les bons temps rouler" for a few days before getting underway.

Since Kimmy handed over the reigns earlier this week, I have been busy preparing the ship's library for the second half of our journey by adding new books, magazines, DVD schedules, and materials to the library for the perusal of cadets and crew alike.  As some students looked enthusiastically towards the open ocean and horizons ahead of the EMPIRE STATE, some watched almost longingly as a diehard handful of friends and families stood ashore waving farewell; even more cadets made their last minute phone calls to their loved ones before the modern convenience that is the cell phone falls out of signal range.  Never fear, dear readers!  The most popular question your cadets have asked your ship's librarian this evening was how to set up their email accounts.  I'm sure you will be receiving an email or two shortly!

Liz

Change Out at Norfolk

From the Ship’s Librarian

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

We are pulling into Norfolk, VA. We had the rare opportunity to enjoy a parade of US naval forces (in reverse, if you will) as we slowly sail pass the naval base. As the tugs pushes us towards the cheering crowd. It’s hard work! In a few hours, I will be turning over duties to Liz Berilla, who will continue to post here on this blog. Signing off!

Back to the US, Next Stop Norfolk

I woke up this morning and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge was outside my window. No, I was not dreaming! We came to New York to clear customs because officials routinely clear large cruise ships so they could get this done much more quickly here than in Norfolk. At lunch time we were ready for Virginia. While officers prepare for tomorrow’s arrival, first class cadets are taking over supervision of the under class for the second term. Division leaders huddled in the library for an intensive meeting. They assessed the personnel and logistics, and then set up watch and work schedules for the 400 second and third class cadets. In the meantime, the work routine continues today and tomorrow. On a ship, every day is another day. 

A Glimpse into the Engine Room

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Today an engineering professor took me on a guided tour of the engine rooms. Imagine what it takes to support a building 10 stories high! Mind you, this is without any external supply of electricity, water, or fuel. So besides controlling the propellers and the rudder, the ship’s machinery condition fuel and distill water for the steam engine, generate electricity, produce potable water, treat waste water, and provide refrigeration for food storage and air conditioning. The magnitude of these machines is unreal. Some machines, even some of the pipes, are larger than me, and some systems span several stories. Engineering cadets are constantly monitoring these systems to make sure they are functioning in a state that can continue to function for the long term. (There is no road side assistance in the ocean in case of a breakdown!) They also take commands from the bridge and make adjustments to the engine to match the speed and direction of travel. Is it hot in the engine room? You bet! I was lucky. It was a cool, chilly day of 90 degrees.

Ups and Downs

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Seamanship training continues today. The lifeboats and rafts were probably launched (down) and lifted (up) over 50 times each, because over the three days of training every 1st class cadet will get a chance to operate every piece of equipment. 1st class cadets also conduct the man-over-board exercise, where an orange buoy is thrown overboard, and they maneuver the vessel back to that location and launch the rescue boat to retrieve it. Meanwhile, 2nd and 3rd class cadets practice firefighting, search and rescue, damage control (plugging leaky holes with rags), using blocks and tackles (pulley systems), and mooring and heaving. These will be three intense days — everyone trains from morning into the evening.

Firefighting Training

Friday, June 15, 2012

As I went down to open the library this morning, the rec room outside was very warm and I found myself surrounded by cadets. They were putting on huge boots and suits, checking the gauges and valves on their oxygen tanks, and adjusting the full-face mask. Gear is strewn all about and a hose ran from one end of the rec room to the other, out the door into the cadet lounge. The door opened. Captain Stephens came in from the cadet lounge. He rigged the cadet lounge into an obstacle course and made it completely dark. In teams of two, cadets in full gear would hose down the fire, and the next team would search for human dummies. This went on all day and will continue through tomorrow and the day after until every 2nd and 3rd class cadet gets a go at it.

Excitement on the Bridge!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

During lunch time, the cadets on watch spotted buoys the size of a spray bottle several miles ahead. We think they are related fishing activities. Soon after we steered clear, Block Island emerged on the horizon. You may be receiving a phone call from a cadet any moment now!

Game On!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A week ago I posted an announcement headlined “Train your mind, hone your skills, challenge the librarian!” on the Plan of the Day about the board games available in the library. Players gradually came out of the wood work. The Scrabble challenges produced three awesome games so far. On chess and checkers, cadets mostly challenge each other. One afternoon a cadet created his own board with paper and markers so he could get simultaneous matches going.  Spectators cheered on but provided absolutely no help. Without any of my prompting, these games tend to take place during meal time or between classes. Other times, cadets go right back to work and study, especially since exams are now an imminent reality!

Talk like a sailor! Part 2

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Again, read quickly, and everything will fall into place!

liberty = permission to leave the ship
lifeboats = the four orange covered boats
life rafts = the two white open-top boats
rescue boat =  the little orange open-top boat
cover = hat
khakis = the whole suite of clothing for the khaki uniform
portage = wages less expenses on ship
rating = crew; category of crew
swells = rhythmic undulations of the sea surface caused by wind
pitching =  rising and falling motion of the ship’s bow
rolling = ship swaying side to side
to steam = to drive
to drive = to steer
to steer = to keep the ship on course, which is not necessary in the same the direction as the wheel’s

Talk like a sailor! Part 1

Monday, June 11, 2012

Parents, be prepared to hear some saltier language from your children once they get back to the U.S. Others readers out there, you can never be over-prepared for the “National Talk like a Sailor Day.” Today and tomorrow, I will show you new words I learned in the past month and explain them in plain English. They all suddenly make sense if you read it quickly.

mariner = sailor
reveille = wake alarm
rack = bed
berth = bedroom
head = bathroom
bulkhead = wall
deck = floor
floor = flooring
rail = railing
ladder = stairs
ladder well = stairwell
hold = a cargo compartment, numbered 1-hold, 2-hold, etc.
hatch = opening in a deck to a hold below
manhole = opening to a tank below
porthole = round window on the ship’s side
door = door that is not a hatch, or a manhole, or a porthole cover, or an access panel
line = rope or hawser
gear adrift = a mess
mess = canteen
messman = canteeneer
galley = kitchen
sick bay = doctor’s office
corpsman = medic
station = place to be
bill = list of names
cleaning station = place where you (had better) be cleaning
(To be continued...) 

Today the library witnessed the first time we had a game of checkers and chess going on simultaneously. One of the cadets used a marker to draw an extra chess board. Awesome.

Photos from Cruise

Kimmy was able to forward a disc of pictures taken from cruise when he arrived in Iceland!  Here are a few sample images of how Summer Sea Term has fared so far... Enjoy!

On the bridge of the EMPIRE STATE VI.

A view of the ship's library from the Reference Desk.

Students muster for drills on deck.

Students exercising outside of the library.

Students doing shipwork (painting).

Students speak with an officer on deck.

In anticipation of the Blue Nose Ceremony and crossing into the Arctic Circle, the ship's complement have appeared to witness the event!

Neptune's Court, assemble!

The Azores coming into view, and the bow of the EMPIRE STATE VI.

Our intrepid librarian, Kimmy Szeto, and the Azores in the background.

The Azores, coming closer.

Activity on deck increases as the Azores come nearer!

View from deck while in port at the Azores.

Students enjoy snacks and coffee at a local cafe.

The EMPIRE STATE VI at night in port.

Catch Up!

To all our followers:  We apologize for the delay in these posts.  Due to the campus email outage we did not receive Kimmy's posts until 6/11.  So here they are in digest form.

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Saturday, June 02, 2012

At 63°50’N, the sun only sets for some. The sunset last night (May 31, but technically slightly after 1 am on June 1) was a great learning opportunity. Cadets engaged in celestial navigation are generally quite finely tuned to the timing of astronomical events such as the sunset, but on this day only the diligent managed to see the sun set and green flash on the main deck and the boat deck. Why? Because had they taken the altitude of the deck into account, the cadets on the bridge deck, eagerly waiting for the sunset, would have discovered that there would be no sunset from their vantage point—the sun rose right back up! Yes, the extra 20 feet of altitude on the ship made all the difference!

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Halló, Ísland! Halló, Reykjavík! We are docked in an area called Sündahofn (New Harbor), two miles east of the Old City. Port side you see an industrial and marine transportation complex, where we see cargo operations up close; starboard side you see a yellow lighthouse, a blue Scandinavian-style house on a small island, and, just another quarter mile beyond, Esja, a peninsula of mountains with the last few narrow strands of ice hanging off the peaks; straight ahead beyond the bow is the Reykjavík skyline: dramatically framing the handful of tall buildings are the futuristic steeple of Hallgrimskirkja atop of a hill to the south and the modernist honeycomb glass casing of the Harpa Music Hall by the harbor to the north. For three days, cadets will be enjoying their liberty all around town, and sometimes far from town. A yellow school bus is waiting at the Harbor’s Visitor Center to shuttle us hourly between the ship and Old City.

Append to the May 23 entry: The mystery engineering professor is Prof. Strez.

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Monday, June 4, 2012

A steady traffic of cadets brave the two-mile journey to the city. They are walking, biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading, and they are in for a treat. Just off the docks by the waterfront is an artists’ park that reminds me of Socrates Park in Astoria, Queens. Sculptures of all kinds—metal, wood, and stone—dot the grassy field. In the center is a colorfully decorated hut which is the artists’ workshop. Art does not stop with the finished products: cadets climb these sculptures and pose for photos in creative ways. Further down the seawall path is Hofði (The Promontory House), where the October 1986 summit between Reagan and Gorbachev was held. The Icelandic people like to pride themselves in ushering in the fall of the Berlin Wall, but the breakthrough between the two leaders was actually on reducing nuclear arsenal, which led to the treaty on cutting intermediate-range nuclear weapons signed the following year. Continuing on towards the city center stands the Solfarið (the Sun Boat), an abstract metal sculpture, a morph of fish bones and a Viking ship. These are but a sample of interesting sites all across the city; cadets marvel at the confluence of modern conveniences so familiar and a culture so foreign. Cadets also caught the last day of Iceland’s annual Fishermen’s Festival where games, skills demonstrations, and, most important, free samples of seafood and birds were offered.

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The bus stop by the harbor’s Visitor Center becomes the place to catch up on everyone’s adventures. Some cadets come back in awe from experiencing Iceland’s natural geological wonders on the Golden Circle tour; some come back happily exhausted from white water rafting; some come back completely relaxed after a thorough soak in the mineral water of the Blue Lagoon (so relaxed that they overlooked their hair, which was all sticking up crazy). The more adventurous organize their own tours:

surfing, skiing and snowboarding, horseback riding, and trips to the beach. In the Visitor Center, cadets call and write home using rental phones and computers. Cadets certainly know how to keep themselves active and busy!

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 From the Ship’s Librarian

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Bless bless (bye-bye), Reykjavík! We untied at 0800 bound for the infinite horizon once again. But before we leave the snow-capped mountains behind, the Icelandic people gave us a special send off. At 1015, we heard a helicopter catching up with us. We slowed down the ship and a line was dropped from the hovering aircraft. Three cadets tied it to the rail, and, zip lining down was an Icelandic coast guard, dressed in a bright red suit, followed by a stretcher-sized bucket. We performed this emergency medical evacuation drill twice in under 10 minutes’ time, which, as I learned from the Chief Mate later, was extremely efficient. The coast guard exchanged a few parting words and shook hands with the cadets before zip lining up back to the rumbling helicopter. As we waved our final goodbyes to the wonderful Icelandic people, the aircraft rounded an extra circle over the ship before taking off, disappearing among the distant specks of seagulls in the open sky.

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Today is all about emergency response. During the extended boat drill, corpsmen brought out their gear to each station and showed us the basics of handling a few types of injuries—fractures, sprains, and dislocations; open and closed wounds. We check for vital signs, consciousness, circulation, and body control, then stabilize, elevate, press, splint! Volunteers play victim, which always add levity to these proceedings, especially when learning to move the victim on to a stretcher and parading around, I mean, transporting the victim. Cadets are very smart, though. In the brief moments when the sun peeked through the clouds, they showed off their skills by taking their sextants out of the box and taking readings with one swift, continuous motion. They don’t waste any time!

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Friday, June 8, 2012

Seriousness All Around

Last night the library saw a record gate count of 55. Cadets are preparing for the sprint to the finish line. They are having their last few days of classes and are studying for the final exam; they are completing their celestial fixes and tracings due by arrival at Norfolk; some are still studying for the Morse code exam. It’s time to be serious! We are turning the clock back one hour every two days now and that helps. Speaking of being serious, cadets have been checking out some literary heavy-weights lately—fiction: The Sound and the Fury and The Sun Also Rises; non-fiction:  The Dialogues of Plato and Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence. There be seriousness all around.

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From the Ship’s Librarian

Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Mellow Sunday. Sunday At Sea was a mellow affair. Unpredictable weather conditions ran the gamut: sun, clouds, fog, rain, and winds. Although the grills stayed indoors, the menu stayed the same and did not disappoint.

Over 30 cadets attended a special lecture today on labor unions given by a mate who also happens to work in the labor sector. We learned about workers’ rights, hiring practices, and benefits. Cadets asked are concerned about employment opportunities and the speaker gave valuable tips on how to make the most of the hiring process, as well as general advice on saving and planning for the future.

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Icelandic water is the calmest water I have ever seen. The smooth sea surface strikes a sharp contrast with the rugged terrain on the horizon. If you steam ahead, you would see seagulls sitting in the water bobbing across the crests of a replica of a ship’s wake from a physics textbook; if you shut the engine, your ship would gently come to a stop and stay there to admire the serenity. What is there to do? Boat ride! With instructors’ supervision, three groups of cadets lowered the rescue boat and the two rafts and took them for a ride around the ship. While all the training was going on, my untrained eyes saw them having a great time chasing seagulls, which loved to play along. 

Of snow and blue noses

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Even though this would be a first crossing into the Arctic Circle for many aboard (and therefore deserving of a traditional "crossing the line" ceremony), the snow this morning did not keep Neptunus Rex from descending upon our humble vessel. At the sound of the conch, His Royal Consort emerged from the mist. The Chief Deputy and his Royal Guards led the procession, followed by Eirik the Red Beard, Father Time (Sea Santa), Old Man of the Sea, the Sea Hag, the Siren, the Wrecked Kraken, Davey Jones, the Royal Baby, and, finally, Neptunus Rex, king of the Arctic Seas. He deemed us new arrivals to the Arctic all unseaworthy in his realm unless we pass his secret test and ritual. Within an hour, 406 pollywogs were inaugurated into the family of salty Arctic seamen with a blue nose. 

And there was much rejoicing!

Thar she blows!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

On this third day of traversing Icelandic waters, it’s about time for some excitement!

We spotted some visitors just about half a mile off the stern starboard side; yes, that’s right - huge whales flipping about! Apologies in advance for my poor identification of marine mammal species…they are huge and gray; they have fins and tails. They showed us their round heads as they occasionally spout into the air; other times they smacked their tails on the water's surface. They timed their appearance just right for the half-hour lunch-time show, which drew a happy crowd from all over the ship.

Like a Painted Ship Upon a Painted Ocean

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

LAN (local apparent noon) weather report: air temperature 42 degrees Fahrenheit, water temperature 34 degrees Fahrenheit. By midnight, air temperature dropped to about 34 degrees as well. That’s when many cadets came out to watch the sunset, which was thus far on this cruise the most picturesque. Behind us were the rugged, glacier-draped mountains under the half moon; due northwest was the sun slowly sweeping towards north on its arctic ecliptic. Only reluctantly, after almost half an hour, did the sun dip fully below the horizon and vanish after a fleeting green flash.

Memorial Day aboard

Monday, May 28, 2012

The flag flies half mast until noon today as we continue to steam past 63 degree north. The fog lifted and ice capped peaks came into view on the horizon to the west. Seagulls came flying by thinking that we are a fishing vessel. Sorry birds, no scraps here!

Sunday at Sea returns!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

It’s Sunday at Sea! We barbecued from lunch through dinner, and I was quickly bombarded by a steady stream of officers and cadets to the library in the post-BBQ hours.  In addition to the Game of Thrones now, “Real Steel” and “Captain America” have been popular movies for officers to borrow – what a great way to end such a delicious day at sea!

Of movies and monographs

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Students appear to have expanded their reading selections from purely academic to popular as well within the last day.  Between the Game of Thrones and Hunger Games series, our holds list has been growing hourly.  One cadet was overheard proclaiming: “I love Hemingway! I am going to read all his novels – only two more to go!”

With a new system I have implemented, which gets more student feedback for selecting our nightly movies aboard, we broke the movie attendance record two nights in a row! Over 25 cadets came down to watch Austin Powers in “Goldmember,” and then over 50 last night for “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.” Tonight, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” brought a comparatively paltry 45 cadets down to the lounge. 

Focus on Academics

From the Ship’s Librarian, Friday, May 25, 2012

It’s time for midterm exams. A librarian can tell how serious the students are studying by what they ask for. A sample of student requests in the past few days: the classic Bowditch American Practical Navigator, the Empire State VI Safety Manual, the 1979 Marine Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Fire Safety, a ruler with centimeters on it, a pencil sharpener, and the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe. I’m not sure which exam the Poe was for, but we do have his complete works in a gold-stamped, leather-bound edition with gilt edges.

Last night, for the first time, the sky was not pitch black after closing the library at 2200. It is also getting colder outside, but the weather has been absolutely gorgeous today. Cadets are chipping, painting, sunbathing, and, I think I got this right, shooting apples and tomatoes into the sky with a potato gun.

Keeping up with the times

Thursday, May 24, 2012

One of the main challenges here in the ship’s library has been connecting students with the technologies their classes require.  At times, reverting to old technology can be a practical solution.  Lately, students have been working with a computer program to practice their Morse code for upcoming exams; others will use a similar practice station for signaling soon.  It is entertaining to consider how technology aboard ship has shifted over time.  Critical sailor’s skills like tying knots and checking valves, while still important to seafaring life, evolve with computers, programs, technology, and the like.  Funny to think how technologies have changed aboard ship over the years – and yet our students are preparing to tackle all of these challenges head on!

A little spring cleaning...

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

General ship’s maintenance is underway and the chipping, painting, sanding, and welding have begun! We are making a lot of noise these days, but these are crucial activities for the wellbeing of the ship and avoiding rust, which could quickly deteriorate the condition of the vessel.

We also made a big splash: this morning we let out the orange fast rescue boat. It sped to Ponta Delgada and came back with a new faculty member. We will find out who the mystery professor is soon enough!

We are now leaving São Miguel for the third time. We will head westward past the Azorean archipelago, and, some time tonight, turn straight north towards Iceland.

All Quiet on the Front

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

We continue to circle São Miguel very slowly. It was a brisk 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the library today because we are moving so slowly and the fuel does not have a chance to really heat up.  Cadets have been very quiet since their time ashore in the Azores. Many came to the library for the long haul — they are staying for hours at a time studying for upcoming exams.  More to come over the next few days, I'm sure, on our way to Iceland!

Photography Aboard and Ashore

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Just a quick word about photos, since I know there have been several requests from shore.  There has been some technological miscommunication between equipment I am using, and the internet terminal in the public library ashore did not allow connection to external devices (like the camera). So, currently, the camera remains "unwired."  I will try again when we arrive in Iceland. Don’t worry, though…there are photos aplenty!

Shore to Ship

Monday, May 21, 2012

We pulled away from Ponta Delgada in the early hours of the morning. We anchored just a short distance off the island all day. There will be some anchor training and rescue boat drills. With exams looming, cadets quickly settled back into the routines. Back to work!

Azores, Day 3

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Around the island in the past few days I have been running into cadets exploring the natural beauty of the island in a variety of ways. A good number went on a bus tour of the island, organized by Regimental Affairs, which took them to the peaks of the volcano, swimming in a naturally heated spring, and eating food cooked in the bubbling hot springs. I also met cadets, accompanied by hired local guides, riding vehicles ranging from four-wheeled ATVs to two-wheeled motorbikes and bicycles, as well as segways. A handful of cadets took long hikes and went on long runs; some organized their own diving trips. Today was a warm, sunny day, so the beach was also a great draw. 

Oh, yes, cadets have been writing, too—letters and postcards were steadily collecting in the ship’s mailbox. By the way, mail sent to the Azores was not forwarded to Iceland after all and has been distributed to the cadets.

Azores, Day 2

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Just a brief update today: 

We received news from the Captain and discovered we will have an early departure at 0600 Monday morning to make way for a cruise ship. In the next two to three days, we will do some anchor training, special maneuvers, and man-over-board drills in the local area. Overnight, we will anchor just off São Miguel, weather permitting.

Azores, Day 1

Friday, May 18, 2012


After maneuvering with two tugs for a while, we finally docked at the marina in Ponta Delgada shortly before noon. We were greeted not only by the friendly local police, but also by an impressive statue of Gonçalo Velho Cabral, who “discovered” the Azores for the Portuguese in the mid-15th century (these islands already appeared in the Medici Atlas of 1351). Behind Cabral is a three-arch City Gate, which appears even more majestic at night when lit by purple lights. The City Gate leads to a grand plaza and the imposing Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião with a clock tower that can be seen from anywhere in the city. Many cadets could be seen attending mass here on Thursday (Ascension Day) and on Sunday. Cadets also explored the city in many ways: some reveled at the Festival of Saint Christopher, some looked for souvenirs in local shops, many discovered the nearest pay phone and called home, and many more simply lingered in sidewalk cafés enjoying the sun and a rare day off. 


For those of you, dear readers, interested in libraries, I spent some time in the Biblioteca Publica. It is a 4-story stone building with an interior courtyard. The library's café leads to outdoor seating amongst centuries-old stone walls and a roof deck overlooking the harbor; the inside is completely outfit with modern technologies and amenities, except, as part of the library's exhibit, several openings that reveal the original stonework and woodwork. The young adult, children, and adult rooms are on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, respectively. The reading rooms have large windows that let in lots of natural light. It was mid-afternoon just after school, and I saw librarians reading to children, and, even though it was a Friday, serious high school students studying and doing homework in the extremely quiet reading rooms. The friendly library staff gave directions to a group of cadets, and very kindly allowed me, without a library card, to use one of the public terminals for internet access.


After leaving the library, I walked away from the harbor towards the hills. Vegetation is lush here and a pleasant scent of flowers shrouds the hills (azaleas are in full bloom). On the way down, I strolled by a local market where farmers sold local meat and produce, and the town's theater where a gymnastics competition was taking place. In fact, not a few minutes later, groups of gymnasts from Russia, Finland, and Germany emerged with a large group of cadets in the main shopping center in town. For all of us tourists, today shopping was the universal sport! 

Staying the Course

Thursday, May 17, 2012

We circled the island of São Miguel all night and all day. During the day, we gradually moved closer to about two miles off the coast and were able to see the beautiful coastal houses, hillside farms, and volcanic peaks. This was as close as we’d get. At 1800, a pilot boat pulled up. We opened the cargo hatch and threw down a ladder. On came Captain Smith and three cadets, and we said farewell to Captain Ahlstrom, Colonel Stroud, and Mate Fiorenza. At 1830, we closed the hatch, turned southeast, and said goodbye to the Azores.

On the mess deck I picked a seat that looks out at the stern, already nostalgic about the land that was slowly receding into the horizon. Then I noticed the ship made a slow 270 degree turn, and a flurry of activities could be heard on the radio. At 1845, the Chief Mate came into the Officers’ Mess and gave the order: “All hands, all hands, prepare for docking.” We’re going to the Azores after all.

-Kimmy

Port Changes, and Land Ho!

May 16, 2012

News as of 1330:

Much like the tides, our plans for the Azores have changed. 

We will anchor off Sao Miguel this evening to transfer some passengers, circle back around tomorrow afternoon to pick up other passengers, and off we go. That will be all for the Azores. Word around the foremast is that we're heading to Tenerife (Canary Islands) instead, but we will not know for sure until probably Friday afternoon.

The ETA is Sunday morning...IF we indeed go to the Canary Islands. It looks like the decision will be made tomorrow. 

News as of 2100:

Land ho!

Cadets on the flying bridge first spied the cone off Sete Cidades mid-afternoon, and the island of São Miguel came to full view during dinner time. A Portuguese pilot boat came up to greet us as we lowered the gangway to sea level. Four courageous passengers walked down, jumped, and hopped on to the pilot boat. We received a sack of mail in return.  However, we are expecting that any additional mail sent to the Azores will be forwarded to Iceland. 

In the mean time, we will steam for at least three more days while waiting for the Captain to announce the next port.

More updates as they come,

Kimmy

"Sports" At Sea

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A new sport has taken over the cadets’ lounge: hacky sack. It is quite a social sport, as cadets gather around in a circle chatting away while kicking the small sack of beans to (and sometimes at) each other. In the meantime, students and instructors alike are busy checking out guidebooks to the Azores, ship structure, and leisure reading.

We are expecting to pass by the Azores some time on Wednesday and, depending on the weather, we will either anchor nearby overnight or continue to steam around until entering port on Thursday.

All for now,

Kimmy

Library Happenings and Routine Aboard

Monday, May 14, 2012

We skipped Sunday at Sea yesterday to make up for the late start from Fort Schuyler, but we anticipate a festive cookout next week.  Usually, Sundays at Sea would include a somewhat relaxed work schedule, social barbeque dinner, and recreational activities for students.  The cadets are really getting into their routines now. We had a fire drill at 1315, and all the cadets assembled at their stations in no time.

Some excitement arose in the library two nights ago when about 500 books escaped their bungee cord restraints (necessary due to the rolling of the ship) and fell to the deck.  Thanks to a team of six cadets to assist, we were able to get the books back into place in no time!  In the afternoons and evenings, cadets continue to come to the library and work on their homework assignments or read for entertainment.  They take occasional breaks for late night snacks and popcorn, which are provided daily on the mess deck from 2100 to 0000.

Speaking of food, the quality has been very good. One cadet who came up to the officers’ mess on business remarked how great officers’ food was.  We reminded him that cadets’ food was just as good. Everyone on the ship gets the same food; the only difference is that officers get tablecloths.

Everyone is looking forward to reaching the Azores in about two days.

All for now,

Kimmy

Rolling Along

Friday, May 11, 2012

Today, drowsiness continues when I’m not in the library as a side effect of the anti-seasickness medication I am taking as a precaution. I see cadets having classes outside on the deck, standing watch, and doing their homework. The routine is becoming like clockwork.

Cadets also have the tendency to line up not just during the daily formation, but also queue for the meals, to the sick bay, to the barber, to do extra duty… all is very orderly.

The workout videos are proving to be a phenomenon. Every day, several cadets bring their laptop down here at different times, and groups of cadets – both male and female - dance and exercise to the energetic video personalities and rhythmic music.

The waves have picked up and the ship has been rolling quite a bit (yet the line out the sick bay is steadily decreasing, which is good news). Tomorrow we expect to hit a storm. We are all patiently waiting for the report from our NOAA weatherman, Tim.

As we steam along to the Azores, please note that mail can be forwarded to the following address and will be picked up once we reach port:

[Name], c/o T/S Empire State

 c/o Martin Lezaola

 C.M.J. Rieff & Sons, Ltd.

 Av. Infante D. Henrique 6-1

 9500-762 Ponta Delgada

 Sao Miguel, Azores

 Portugal

Your ship’s librarian,

Kimmy

Classes Underway

Thursday, May 10, 2012

After spending the night off the north shore of Montauk, we lifted anchor at 7:20am and sailed into the stormy sea. Cadets are having their first day of classes.  

Excitement is building! 

Onward to the Azores!

(From Ship's Librarian, Kimmy Szeto) 

May 9, 2012

First of all, we aboard would like to extend a big thanks to the parents and supporters for sending us off in the rain yesterday morning! 

We found calm seas as we sailed into the foggy Long Island Sound. As I wrote this yesterday evening at 2130 (9:30 p.m. for you landlubbers), cadets were coming to the gymnasium and the library for recreation and relaxation. Cadets in the library enjoyed the magazines, while some hovered over the guide book for the Azores. One cadet even jumped rope for half an hour outside the library (where one gymnasium is located), and another group just came with a laptop to stretch out to a yoga instructional video.

We anchored at Montauk last night…onward in the morning!

Departure Day, May 9, 2012

Early morning rain did little to deter friends and family of those aboard the TS EMPIRE STATE VI from coming out to wish fair winds and following seas to their loved ones!

Departing promptly at 10:00 a.m., a hearty crew of over 500 mariners, cadets, faculty, and staff steamed off to Montauk, NY for fueling before the adventurous Atlantic crossing.  Not to be overlooked is one enthusiastic Ship's Librarian, Mr. Kimmy Szeto, who will be reporting from aboard the EMPIRE STATE VI on the daily activities and special events while underway and during ports-of-call in San Miguel (Azores), Reykjavik (Iceland), and finally returning to Norfolk, VA later in June.

The Stephen B. Luce Library wishes a bon voyage to all those aboard the EMPIRE STATE VI this summer.  Our Ship's Librarian will be reporting shortly on his first impressions at sea, so stay tuned!

100th Anniversary of the TITANIC

Stephen B. Luce Library Honors the 100^th Anniversary of the RMS TITANIC’s Tragic Sinking

In remembrance of the 100^th anniversary of the TITANIC’s sinking, the Stephen B. Luce Library recognizes its enduring legacy in maritime history with a digital display and resources exhibit.

The online display, which can be viewed from the library’s web portal (http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/titanic2012.htm), includes:

· An online slideshow presentation on the TITANIC, the preparations for her journey, tragic sinking, aftermath, rediscovery, and surrounding mythos (http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/TitanicShow2012.htm)

· Recommended readings from our collection.

· Online resources for the history and impact of the TITANIC’s sinking, including suggested links from the National Archives and Records Administration.

The resources exhibit will be on display in the library foyer throughout the month of April, and includes:

· A slideshow presentation on the TITANIC’s enduring legacy.

· A selection of books from our circulating collection, which highlight the depth of information available on how the TITANIC was constructed, sailed, met her fate, and has survived the test of time in our curiosity for disasters at sea.

Stephen B. Luce Library Celebrates Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History month, the Stephen B. Luce Library honors pioneering women in the fields of maritime history, society, and industry with an exhibit of books, photographs, and a digital display.

The virtual exhibit can be viewed from the library’s web portal http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/exhibitseafaringwomen.htm, including:

· An online slideshow presentation on women in maritime history and the origins of Women’s History Month http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/WomenHistShow.htm), featuring information on prominent figures as Captain Joy Bright Hancock, Representative Edith Nourse Rogers, Tracy Edwards, and Linda Greenlaw.

· Recommended readings from the Library’s collection. http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/pdfs/Women-History-Bibliography-2008.pdf

· Additional resources on women in the maritime profession, including links from the National Women’s History Project.

The physical exhibit will be on display in the Library’s foyer area featuring archival photographs, reading materials and a digital presentation.

Win a Kindle Fire: Library Accepting Submissions for 2012 Research Award

The Stephen B. Luce Library is pleased to accept papers for the 2012 Library Research Award! The winning students will receive a Kindle Fire, the popular new tablet computer from Amazon.com which features an e-reader, game console, web browser, and video player.

Graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement and conducted outstanding research utilizing the library's resources are invited to apply. Submissions must include:

• A copy of your research paper
• A statement of intent explaining why you deserve the award and how you utilized the library's resources for research

Applications will be reviewed by the Library Research Award Committee and judged on the following elements:

• Original Academic Research
• Citations
• Writing

Nominations and applications may be submitted to Mr. Shafeek Fazal either in hardcopy at the Library's Information Desk or via email no later than Friday, April 13, 2012.

The winner will be announced prior to the May 2012 graduation ceremony.

Stephen B. Luce Library Celebrates Black History Month

Carl Frederick Burnett,
First African-American Graduate
of Maritime College

In celebration of Black History month, the Stephen B. Luce Library honors notable African-Americans in maritime history with an exhibit of photographs, books and a digital display.

The virtual exhibit can be viewed from the library’s web portal, including:

• An online slideshow presentation on black maritime history, which features information on the first African-Americans to graduate from Maritime College in addition to maritime ties of major American figures such as Frederick Douglass and Marcus Garvey
• Recommended readings from our collection
  
• Great online resources for black maritime history research, including great links from the Library of Congress and the American Merchant Marine at War

The physical exhibit will be on display throughout February in the Library’s foyer area:

• A slideshow presentation on black maritime history
• A display case featuring archival photographs, yearbooks, and biographical information on notable African-American Maritime College alums, Carl Frederick Burnett and Walter Womack Branford. Additional photographs highlight an exchange program with Liberia in 1961, during which four Liberian students were sponsored by the African American Institute to attend Maritime College and study Marine Transportation for one year
• A selection of books from our collection highlighting prominent African-Americans in maritime and military history.

Walter Womack Bradford,
Second African-American
Graduate of Maritime College

The display gives the Library an opportunity to highlight aspects of both our circulating collection and our Archives. Though the books on display can be found through a simple Sextant Catalog search, several of the historic photographs required quite a bit of sleuthing. This is particularly true of the rarely-seen photos featuring several Liberian students who attended Maritime College in 1961 in partnership with the African-American Institute. After the photographs were discovered serendipitously in the Luce Library Archives, librarians uncovered background information on the mysterious pictures by cross-referencing the approximate date of their attendance with yearbooks and old Porthole editions.

The photos on display give a glimpse into black history and also illustrate Maritime College’s role in seeking to connect the international and multicultural maritime community.

Costa Concordia Cruise Line Disaster: Library Resource Guide

In response to the recent Costa Concordia cruise line tragedy, the Stephen B. Luce Library has assembled a collection of resources with the most up-to-date information from domestic and foreign presses, including images, videos and news stories.

The Stephen B. Luce Library website on the “Costa Concordia” http://www.sunymaritime.edu/stephenblucelibrary/costa-concordia.htm provides resources to the academic community at SUNY Maritime to conduct research relating to the different aspects of the tragedy. The resources are organized in various categories such as human tragedy at the coast of Tuscany; financial implications; and environmental impact of the accident to the biggest designated marine park in Europe; leadership and command of the vessel; safety issues and negligence etc.

New Online Slideshows Highlight Archival Collections

The Stephen B. Luce Library is delighted to announce that three new online slideshows are available from the Current Exhibits page on our library website. For those interested in the history of Maritime College and the summer sea term, this is an excellent way of delving into the past. Slideshows feature a number of fascinating photos of training ships and of cadets during training, inspections and even leisure activities. The photographs are supplemented by captions with historical information and technical specifications.

• A slideshow documenting the Schoolship Newport, Maritime College's second training vessel, gives a sense of the origins of Maritime College (then called New York Nautical school). The Schoolship Newport was powered by both sail and steam, which provided students with an excellent training platform during the transition to the age of steam.




• Pictures of the Empire State I, which served as a Maritime College training ship from 1931-1946, illustrate both the ship's illustrious origins (as flagship of Commander Fleet Base Force, U.S. Battle Fleet from 1921 - 1931) and its fifteen years as training ship for Maritime College students. With the arrival of the Empire State, Maritime College's first fully steam-powered ship, out-of-state students could for the first time enroll as cadets.




• The Empire State II, used as a transport ship for troops and supplies during World War II, was the first training ship of any Maritime Academy to make a post war cruise under its own officers and crew. It served as training ship from 1946-1956.

Online slideshows offer the public a chance to view the wealth of materials available in the Stephen B. Luce Library archives. Other current exhibition subjects include the Schoolship St. Mary’s, Women Seafarers, African American seafarers, and the history of Fort Schuyler.

Winter Holiday Hours at the Stephen B. Luce Library

In observation of the Winter Holiday, the Stephen B. Luce Library will follow the schedule below:

• Saturday, December 17: Open 1000 to 1300
• Sunday, December 19: Closed
• Monday, December 20 - Friday, December 23: Open 0830 to 1200, 1300 to 1630
• Saturday, December 24 - Monday, December 26: Closed
• Tuesday, December 27 - Friday, December 30: Open 0830 to 1200, 1300 to 1630
• Saturday, December 31 - Monday, January 2: Closed
• Tuesday, January 3 - Friday, January 6: Open 0830 to 1200, 1300 to 1630
• Saturday, January 7 - Sunday, January 8: Closed
• Monday, January 9: Open 0830 to 1200, 1300 to 1630
• Tuesday, January 10: Normal Library Hours Resume (Open 0830)

We wish the entire academic community of Maritime College a very happy holiday season and look forward to working with you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays from the Stephen B. Luce Library!

In celebration of the Holiday Season, the Stephen B. Luce Library has created a holiday greeting page to wish all those affiliated with SUNY Maritime College -- whether they are students, alumni, faculty, staff, neighbors, family, or friends -- a wonderful holiday season.

View our wintry wishes, and have a great Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Extended Library Hours During Finals Week

As a service to Maritime College students during finals week, the Stephen B. Luce Library will offer extended open hours through this Thursday, December 15. The library will be open from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm daily so that students may come for a quiet place to study, work on group projects, and access resources needed to study for exams and complete final projects. A librarian will be on duty to assist with information research and access to course reserve materials.

Some helpful tips for students planning to study in the library this week:

• Study carrels are available on both the first and second floors of the library
• No food is allowed in the library, and any drinks brought in must have a cap or a lid
• Course reserve materials may be checked out for four hours but must remain in the library

The Stephen B. Luce Library wishes everyone good luck and best of results in your final exams.