Kings Point's "Summerwind" sails into the nation's capital

At the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, the "Waterfront" is more than a place. It's a community of midshipman, faculty and staff dedicated to enriching maritime training at the Academy with on-the-water experience.  As Commander Chris Gasiorek '95 says, "Any chance to get a cadet on the water is a chance to make that cadet a better mariner."

And making better American mariners is exactly what the USMMA has been doing at Kings Point since 1943.

Last week Academy Superintendent RADM Philip Greene invited me aboard the academy's flagship training vessel, Summerwind, when the vessel and its crew sailed into Washington, DC.  I think the DOT leaders who joined me on my visit would agree that--as impressive as it is to tour a 100-foot schooner--we were even more impressed by the Summerwind crew of cadets and what they taught us about the value of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

From left to right, RADM Greene, Jesse Penney, me, Karl Sergojan, Kate O'Connor, Matt Kloecker,
Kevan Stoeckler, and Maritime Administrator David Matsuda

We heard from five different cadets about their recent tours on commercial merchant vessels, and each one of these young men and women from the class of 2013 mentioned how well-prepared they were for shipboard service by the academy.

Jesse Penney of Saltillo, Mississippi, told us, "I was impressed to see how much of my classroom training came into play in the middle of the Pacific Ocean."

Summerwind flies the DOT, Kings Point colors, along with its own pennant

And that was echoed by Kevin Stoekler of Portland, Oregon, who said, "What I learned at school applied every single day, both to the day-to-day activities aboard the ship and to the projects we took on."

Every one of the cadets also mentioned that the academy offered a great combination of professional preparation and service to their country.

DOT leaders with Summerwind crew

We weren't the only people impressed by the Summerwind in Washington. The ship's beauty, history, and impeccable condition raised eyebrows among the Wounded Warriors who sailed on the Summerwind last week.  And, the cadets report that, among the middle school students who toured the ship's below-deck accommodations, many audible "wows" were heard. 

Perhaps one of those young students will be a member of the Kings Point class of 2023.  If so, he or she will likely agree with cadet Karl Sergojan of Olympia, Washington, who summed up his academy experience this way: "There is no other way I could get the leadership training and personal and professional development opportunities that Kings Point has offered me."

Thank you, RADM Greene, CDR Gasiorek, and all the cadets for an excellent visit, and for representing the academy, the Department of Transportation, and your country so capably.

Comments

[Jack Jones]

Good read, certainly something to improve the US Naval forces.

[Mike Behnken]

Blue skies and blue seas surely made this great for everyone involved.

[Stephanie Partridge]

Dear Mr. LaHood,

I am not commenting on this article but something you wrote in 2010. You said that bicyclists and ped. should have equal repsect as cars. I agree. You also said that sidewalks should be free of snow. I agree. However, I live in Washington DC and the biggest offender of not clearing the sidewalks is the National Parks Service.

As you know in the District, we have many sidewalks that abut National Parks land. One in particular is alonge the 4000 block of Mass. Ave. NW. This sidewalk is never shoveled when we have snow. We just have to wait for it to melt before it becomes useable again.

So, I respectfully ask you to talk to your collegues in the National Parks Dept. and ask them to take care of the sidewalks in the District that are their responsiblity. If that could happen, that would be great.

Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Partridge,
A District resident and walker