BUZZARDS BAY – About 600 cadets aboard the Massachusetts Maritime Academy vessel T.S. Kennedy have just departed St. Thomas during the final half of their sea term.
While on the journey, students learn the intricacies of operating a ship. Their duties include deck and engine watches, performing drills and the learning in classrooms.
The cadets have travelled from port to port around the Caribbean and are now en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cadets have already performed anchor drills off the coast of Puerto Rico and made port visits to Aruba and Barbados. Each one works a 12-hour shift but is allowed some down time during the few days the ship spends at each port.
This year, 1987 Academy graduate Michael Campbell replaced Thomas Bushy as captain of the T.S. Kennedy.
The ship will return home at the end of this month.