Fort Schuyler Magazine

CAMPUS NEWS

Maritime College Bids Farewell to TRAINING SHIP EMPIRE STATE VI

Facilities engineer and alum, Andrew Vecica ’08 traveled from New Jersey with his wife, Mariya and daughter, Ana (pictured right) for the ship’s departure. “I felt I needed to be here today to watch the ship leave. It’s an end of an era.” Throughout its years at Maritime College (since 1990), the TSES VI has been utilized to train and prepare thousands of cadets for careers within the global maritime industry. It will always be known to many as the vessel that effectively served its purpose by providing generations of mariners with the hands-on training and experience that is at the core of the Maritime College mission. The College is grateful for its years of service to the students, faculty and countless others who have trained on the ship as merchant mariners.

The August arrival of the Empire State VI at Olivet Pier from its final 75-day Summer Sea Term was nostalgic to those who sailed the term knowing it would be their last voyage on the ship. On October 5, many gathered at the College to bid their final farewell to the Empire State VI as it left the pier that cloudy morning. MUGs (pictured below) who watched from beyond the pier noted that, although they did not have an opportunity to sail on the Empire State as first year cadets, wanted to be present for the important occasion of the ship’s final departure from Fort Schuyler. Cadet Kymani McDonald, 4/c said, “I wanted to be on the ship today, but I had to come watch it leave.” Cadet Emily Bryant said, “We came to see it go and we’re glad we had a chance to get on the ship during INDOC in August.”

8 Fall 2022 Fort Schuyler