Fort Schuyler Magazine Spring 2023

Bright Horizons Ahead: Captain Morgan McManus ’92

ship SS Cape Jacob for U.S. Military Sealift Command serving Pacific Ocean venues. Fascination with dynamic positioning and drillship technology drew him to the offshore industry 2011 through 2019 where he earned his Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) license. Having served as Watch Officer one Summer Sea Term aboard TSES VI, McManus was appointed in 2019 by RADM Alfultis as Master of the training ship. EXPERIENCE AND MEMORIES WITH TS EMPIRE STATE As a cadet, Morgan sailed aboard TSES V and VI. “I still think of the VI as the ‘new’ ship because I did my MUG cruise on the V,” he says. “The VI was a different design, it had air conditioning, the bunks were new. But we missed the V because it had the

WHY MARITIME? WHY MARITIME COLLEGE? “Growing up in Rockaway Beach, NY, as a kid, I’d watch the ships coming in and out of Ambrose Channel. I was always fascinated by the ships and tugs. Later, touring Maritime College, I learned that you graduate with a license – and you only had to work half a year. I liked the idea of the time off and of making money in a career being on the water all the time. In my world, it made perfect sense.” WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER GRADUATING? HOW DID YOU BECOME TRAINING SHIP MASTER? After sailing as an able seaman with Sunoco, switching to ship brokerage with Odin Marine in Southport, CT, sailing two years as third mate with Maritime Overseas Corporation followed by two

horseshoe staterooms overlooking the foredeck. It was nice getting the experience on the two ships. As cadets, we all have an affinity and a love for our training ship. It becomes a sense of pride for the College to take care of it.” McManus cites the TSES VII’s enhanced training throughput provided by the dual engine room diesel-electric power arrangement and other redundant features. “With dual bridges, we’ll have more students participating in bridge watches. Instructors can have a class in a control room without interfering with engine operations. The human machinery interface is better.” TSES VII presents challenges, too. “We’re reversing how and where engineering cadets’ steam and motor training are done. Before TSES VII, steam training was aboard TSES VI with most motor training ashore in the labs,” he explains. Then, there are regimental protocols. “For instance, where formation takes place on the new ship compared to the old. Which TRANSITION FROM TSES VI TO TSES VII

passages, ladders and spaces are First Class-privileged, officer privileged and so on. Those become challenges for a community of 550 cadets and officers at sea. We’ll need to figure out how to interact and work aboard this new platform.”

more years of ship brokerage, McManus says, “I realized I did not like being ashore. I wanted to go to sea.” Joining the Masters, Mates and Pilots late 1999, he sailed until 2010. Earning his Unlimited Master’s license by 2007, McManus commanded MARAD cargo

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