Castine Current
PILOT COURSE ON AZIMUTH STERN DRIVE
Senator Angus King
OFFERS 360° EXPERIENCE
Skypes Into MMA
By KREGG MACPHERSON '15
History Class
Eley, current Chairman,
Capt. Adam Slazas and
Capt. Worth identified the
need for qualified opera-
tors to join the expanding
ASD fleet. Capt. Worth
now teaches MMA's first
ASD course: Topics: ASD
Propulsion and Technique.
In addition to 100 min-
utes per week of classroom
time, students have two
hours of lab time weekly.
Labs are conducted in a
newly-renovated bridge
Tim Bland '04 stands amid a pair of azimuth stern drives. Photo courtesy of Tim Bland
section of the school's
simulator under the super-
Photo courtesy of Angus King
VesselsequippedwithAzimuthSternDrives
(ASD) are becoming a fixture in the mari-
vision of Capt. Worth and Electronic Simulator
time industry. ASD vessels are equipped
Technician, Jim Sanders.
with two stern engines capable of generating a
A generous donation from the Boston Marine
360° propulsion force. More than 300 ASD tugs
Society in March funded extensive upgrades to
the simulator including software, new Schottle
Whenplansforacampusvisitfrom
U.S. Senator Angus King to one of
recently retired Professor Laurie
work U.S. waters in large and smal ports, inland
Stone's history classes were disrupted by
waterways and at sea. As maritime companies
controls and a sliding seat that can rotate 180 de-
senatorial duties, arrangements were made
continue to appreciate the importance of these
grees for operating the vessel when going astern.
for a Skype visit.
vessels, their numbers wil grow.
Sound effects enhance the impression you are in
On December 8, Senator King appeared
The unique power and maneuverability of the
the wheelhouse of an ASD.
on the big screen in a Dismukes classroom
ASD vessels, also known as Z-drive, means their
The academy's Zee-Boat II provides another
to discuss the U.S. Constitution and its im-
operation requires different approaches and skil s
resource. This 19-foot fiberglass vessel, designed
portance. He then answered questions from
from those required on conventional tugs. Even
as a mini-tug, was conceived and built at the
MMA students.
experienced hands are retraining to master this
waterfront with student leaders Matt Patnaude
Student interest ranged from concerns
technology.
'09 and John Andrews '09. Two high-powered
about the health insurance industry to wind
Maine Maritime Academy now offers an ASD
electronic trolling motors, mounted near the
industry incentives to election funding. Sena-
course with hands-on experience, classroom time
stern, power the vessel.
tor King responded with in-depth, analytical
and labs. I've had the opportunity to take the
In his textbook, "ASD Tugs: Thrust and
answers despite the short time allotted to the
class and have a passion for boat handling. [In
Azimuth; Learning to Drive a Z-Drive," Jeff
classroom visit.
fact, MacPherson is soon to begin Mate training
Slesinger captures the experience students devel-
In conclusion, Senator King stated his
with Moran Towing Corporation.]
op when working Zee-Boat II. "You need to be
affection for MMA and the quality of its
The course is under the tutelage of Capt. John
able `to think with your hands,'" he states, which
education. He spoke of his friends who
Worth, instructor in the Marine Transportation
translates into using your hands efficiently to
were graduates of the Academy and young
Department. As the former owner of a ship
maneuver the vessel.
people he had met through the years who had
docking and coastal towing company, Worth has
With the first class now complete, the new
attended MMA or planned to attend.
maintained and operated a variety of single-screw
course has proven its worth not only to the
and twin-screw tugs. On his own time, he oper-
students but for the marine industry, which is
ates an ASD tug for Penobscot Bay Tractor Tug
demanding more qualified operators.
Company. He started his preparation for ASD
"A student club has been organized to allow
work in 2006, completing the Hol and Marine
students an opportunity to acquire time in the
Center ASD training course in Summerside,
simulator on their own," said Worth. "Providing
Canada.
instruction on ASD propeller technology is an
A couple of years ago, former Marine Trans-
advancement that blends in wel with our ship
portation Department Chairman, Capt. Don
handling classes."
mainemaritime.edu
15

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