Captain’s Log #2

“And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from whence we came.”

– President John F. Kennedy, the namesake of TS Kennedy.

We left Galveston on May 18 on time and without issue. Capt. Dave Manney ’93 with Galveston-Texas City Pilots safely piloted us out of the channel. I want to thank all of the families and friends that joined us on the dock and out on the water for our last sail away on TS Kennedy. It’s a really special experience for our students (and crew, faculty and staff, too) to look out at the campus dock, in the channel and over at Pier 21 and see familiar faces cheering them on, particularly our sophomore cadets who are venturing out on their first sea term.

I’m happy to be back out on the water and excited for the summer ahead. My top priority is to safely bring the ship from port to port and then back home to Galveston this summer, but at a close second, I hope to provide quality training for every cadet. I’ve always enjoyed teaching, and summer sea term is a great hands-on learning experience.

This is the first time many of these cadets are out on the open ocean, so I’m eager to see them put their knowledge from the classroom into practice. Cadets get a world-class education while sailing across the ocean, getting the opportunity to explore new countries. I know from experience that summer sea term forges lifelong friendships – you’re with the same class all the way through, from your courses to sea term, where you get to explore foreign port cities with some of your best friends. Even through all the trials and tribulations, you really build a family here. I’m still good friends with many of my shipmates from my time as a cadet. Getting your license can lead to an exciting, well-paying career. The maritime academy itself creates lifelong friends and encounters that you simply cannot duplicate anywhere else. 

Cadets are settling into their new routines and getting used to life on the ship. They do rotations of classes, maintenance and watch.

Maintenance includes everything from painting to food waste disposal (affectionately called the Muffin Monster). In their off time, cadets can study, read, hang out with their shipmates and participate in the many activities that our student affairs team puts together. 

As we’re approaching our first port of call for the summer, New York City, cadets are making plans for their liberty (including visiting Lady Liberty) in The Big Apple.

We’ll soon be traveling up the Hudson River, bringing an end to the first leg of sea term. 

Capt. Wade Howell
Master, TS Kennedy