rbyRichHewitemembering
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ThesinkingoftheElFarocargo "Thenameoftheship,ElFaro,means "Assailors,weareanoddlot,"Gandy
ship in October with the loss of its
The Lighthouse--I ask this MMA communi-
said, "Largely misunderstood by the general
33-member crew that included five
ty, a family that stretches around the globe
population, we thrive in the minimalist
Maine Maritime Academy gradu-
to ships at sea worldwide--let us all become
environment of our ships. The challenges
ates provided a painful, but also reassuring
a beacon of hope for the safe return of her
of the restless sea are a rallying cry and all
reminder that the Mariner community is a
crew.''
sailors seek to test their mettle. Our offices
close-knit family even though its members
Initial reports that there were several
are in constant motion and our work areas
may be oceans apart. As the events unfolded
MMA alumni who were crewmembers
resemble construction sites in the constant
during that first week in October, mariners
on board El Faro proved to be true. The
grip of an earthquake. Yet we, odd lot that
from the local community and from around
complete list of Maine Maritime Academy
we are, are drawn to these challenges. We
the world gathered by whatever means they
graduates who were aboard El Faro includes
develop a wary eye and a methodical mind.
could; first, to get information, then to com-
Mike Davidson, Class of 1988; Danielle
We greet the challenges of a life at sea with
fort and support each other and to hope and
Randolph, Class of 2004; Mitchell Kuflik,
an indomitable spirit."
pray for their missing shipmates, and later,
Class of 2011; Mike Holland, Class of 2012;
"It is that indomitable spirit that binds us
to mourn and to say goodbye.
and Dylan Meklin, Class of 2015.
together today. We know that our brothers
MMA President William Brennan alerted
The news that there were MMA
and sisters on the El Faro can overcome
the MMA community to the unfolding in-
graduates among the crew focused media
great adversity and we share our strength
cident with a brief notice on Friday, Oct. 2,
attention on the campus. For three days
and resolve with the family and loved ones
the day after the U.S. Coast Guard began its
faculty, staff, and students responded to
who wait for news tonight. We are Mariners.
search for the missing vessel. By late-morn-
questions about the incident and students
Forever.''
ing, the news was grim and the Coast Guard
often provided briefings to reporters,
Their hopes for the crew's survival,
announced its conclusion that El Faro had
explaining details about safety training and
however, were dashed just one day later
sunk although they indicated that they
even demonstrating how a full- immersion
when the Coast Guard announced it was
would continue the search. That afternoon,
suit works. They handled themselves with
suspending the search. Messages of condo-
the college called a community meeting,
grace and professionalism at a time when
lence and support came in from around the
where President Brennan provided the latest
they were most vulnerable. Emotions were
country and the world, and several ships
information about the search and reminded
raw and MMA administrators made sure
marked the loss of the crew with ceremonies
everyone present that they were members of
students knew that on-campus counselling
at sea. Richard Hoey, Master on the Maersk
a shared community, a family that helps and
was available for anyone who might need it.
Montana emailed:
supports each other.
It was the students, though, who led
"Today, 7th October at 1500 hours US
"We are all Mariners and I know we are
the planning for the Vigil of Hope that was
East coast time the crew of the Maersk Mon-
distressed by what we heard today, but we
held on campus on Tuesday and drew not
tana held a vigil and observed a moment
are also encouraged that the search and res-
only members of the on-campus family,
of silence for the crew of SS El Faro.Our
cue effort continues. When you began your
but the wider Castine community as well.
prayers of hope and heartfelt sorrow go out
time here at MMA, I joined you in a jump
Amid prayers and student-read poetry, the
for the crew and to their loved ones. The
from our training ship. We did that for a
candlelight vigil brightened the campus in
vigil was held in mid-Atlantic, as the sun set
number of reasons, including for comradery
an emotional expression of the unbreak-
at 1900 hrs local time. Flags were flown at
and esprit de corps,'' he said. "But, it was
able connection among the community of
half-mast. Most of Montana's crew knows
also done as part of your training for the
mariners.
someone who was on board SS El Faro.
careers at sea that many of you will pursue
Capt. Nate Gandy '92, Commandant of
May God hear our prayers.'' And from
-- it is rigorous and demanding training to
Midshipmen, led the hundreds of students,
Güldem Cerit, dean at Dokuz Eylül Univer-
be sure and it has a purpose, as this incident
staff, faculty, and community members in
sity, MMA's sister school in Turkey came this
poignantly reminds us. Our thoughts and
a moment of silence in support of the El
message: "Dear President Brennan, Today
prayers are with the crew of the El Faro and
Faro crew, a moment that was echoed at the
we have learned with deep sorrow the loss
their families and loved ones--we are all
Maritime Academies across the country as a
of five MMA alumni in the El Faro disaster.
shipmates."
symbol of their solidarity as mariners.
Please accept the sincere condolences of the

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