Fort Schuyler Magazine Fall 2020

BY ALEXANDRA GIGANTIELLO & ODALIS MINO

Over 200 Cadets Participate in 30-Day Pier-Side Maintenance and Watchkeeping Program F E A T U R E PIER-SIDE TRAINING

F rom July 13 through August 15, over 200 cadets returned to Maritime College to participate in the first-ever 30- day Pier-Side Maintenance andWatch- keeping (PSM&W) program. The program was developed to help cadets make up for lost sea-time as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent cancellation of the 2020 Summer Sea Term. “It was very important to take advantage of the opportunity I was being given. I have all of my academics completed; all I need are my sea days. Any sea days I can get in wherever I can, is crucial to me,” explained Cadet Maura Neely 1/C on why she chose to participate in the program. Students came from near and far to participate in PSM&W. International student, Cadet Joshua Brooks 1/C was quarantining in the Bahamas prior to learning of the opportunity to earn 30 sea-days. Taking advantage of the chance, he came to New York to quarantine. Before arriving on campus, students were required to self-quarantine at home for 14 days, maintain a temperature log, and complete a questionnaire

concerning potential COVID-19 symptoms and travel history. Adapting to the new normal, students adhered to wearing a mask, remaining on campus and following other preventative safety measures. Throughout the program, students conducted maintenance and repair work aboard the Training Ship Empire State VI, stood watch, operated deck and engine simulators, worked in labs and attended lectures. Describing his experience, Cadet Trevor Webb said, “It’s been really cool! The Marine Transportation department took us out on the small boats, we spent a lot of time in the simulators, and we’ve done cargo operations with the Mary Fau system. This was an opportunity for the school to explore new ideas, and I think we’ll benefit from that.” Professors developed cross-training between the deck and engine departments, which allowed engine cadets to complete exercises on the deck department simulator and deck cadets to take welding classes and learn how to use an engine lathe and other machining skills. Cadets were also allowed to

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