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 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 […]
- Day 5: Anchored in SearsportToday is Friday, May 10th, 2024, day 5 of our planned tropical cruise to the Mediterranean. We are still anchored in Searsport, however, morale is high. As I woke up to my alarm at 0550 this morning, I was greeted by an orange sunrise lighting up my stateroom. This is the first time we have […]
- Day 4: Training at Anchor…Today, I woke up with zeal and tenacity. Though I was energized to start the day, I fumbled getting out of my rack. I have yet to figure out the proper strategy to effectively emerge from the lowest bottom bunk! Lately, I have been executing a loose roll. While this method works well and I […]
- Day 3: Departure Day is Here…This morning began with reveille at 0600, followed by breakfast and muster at 0700. After muster everyone reported to cleaning stations and then each company turned to their assignment for the day. Alpha had classes, Bravo on utility, Charlie on maintenance, and Delta on watch. Morning operations were interrupted for a fire drill and abandon […]
- Day 2: Stores, Stores and More Stores…Today, on Tuesday, May 7th, Alpha company was on utility. Usually, this means that cadets spend a few hours cleaning before getting a day of much-needed rest. This was not the case today because TSSOM was taking on supplies, which we call stores. Stores were met with mixed anticipation in the Alpha berthing because although […]
- Day 1: Drills, Drills, and More Drills…Today, May 6th, marked our second day on the ship and our official start of the cruise. The TSSOM is docked in Castine, preparing to set sail. We began with a morning muster followed by thorough cleaning and maintenance tasks. The highlight of our day was conducting three drills. First, an abandon ship drill where […]