Cruise 2023 Has Started!
Yesterday, May 7th, at 0800, boarding the TSSOM for Cruise 2023 started with check-in. LCDR Gualtieri and Warrant Officer Kowalski ensured that every cadet had their paperwork, passports, TWIC card, and juniors had their Merchant Mariner Credentials. Then CMDR Christian and LT Willette reviewed the cruise agreement and conducted bag searches for unapproved items. If Midshipmen had hair out of regulation, quick haircuts were issued before they were allowed to board. After MIDN had loaded their own bags, additional fire gear was brought onboard. Next, faculty and students headed to the forecastle to be issued a lifejacket and immersion suit, also known as a survival suit, by members of the Emergency Squad. The ship’s crew will conduct emergency drills to practice and perfect a system to ensure everyone onboard is accounted for and executes their duties during an emergency. As specified in the Safety Management System Manual, “Emergency Drills and/or Exercises (must) be conducted on a weekly basis at a minimum during underway periods.” (8.6.1 EMERGENCY DRILL AND EXERCISE PROGRAM) Everyone is talking about their last cruise or which port they are most excited about; all involved are excited to get underway. Tomorrow, we are expecting to get a large shipment of stores (food/supplies), so loading operations are expected to take the whole day. Stay tuned.
Latest 2024 Summer TSSOM Cruise
- Day 11: We are Underway…We are underway!* At around 0950 this morning we weighed anchor and set off to do some laps around the Penobscot Bay. It’s a refreshing sight to look out on the horizon and see the land go by after a week at anchor. With lifeboat parts another week away, and our stop at St. Thomas […]
- Day 10: Trapped in Maine…Maine refuses to give up her beloved TSSOM. With the part for the lifeboat 4 davit enjoying a vacation in Norway the TSSOM is expected to remain in Maine for a little longer. The delivery date of 23 MAY 2024 has the whole crew hoping for an early delivery. Fortunately, due to USCG witnessing a […]
- Day 9: Life does not start and stop at your convenience…Yet another day at anchor has passed. Today, at Quarters (our morning muster, meeting at 0710 everyday), we heard news regarding Lifeboat #4 from Captain MacArthur. A replacement part has been found in Norway! Further, he explained that if we left on Saturday then we would be able to still make it to the U.S. […]
- Day 8: High Spirits not High Seas…Well… we’re not in Florida yet, but that won’t stop our Midshipmen from enjoying a sunny day. The end of the work day rush is always a beautiful sight, as chairs are set up and the cornhole boards brought out. I reckon there will be plenty of practicing for this weekend’s upcoming cornhole and ping-pong […]
- Day 7: Mother’s Day at AnchorHappy Mother’s Day! Our day began with muster at 0710, as always. Captain Mac announced the source of the malfunction with lifeboat number four: a sheared shaft that had formerly been one piece was now two. Unfortunately, this means we will stay anchored outside Searsport for a little longer. A possible stop back in Castine or […]
- Day 6: A Geomagnetic Storm…!!I woke up last night to banging on my door. It opened gingerly and there was another cadet, “Come out and see the lights!” I rolled out of my rack so fast I nearly smashed my face into the desk. Still half trapped in my sleeping bag, I geared up in warm clothes as fast […]