This morning the Training Ship State of Maine made its arrival into Boston. It was an exciting day because this was the closest glimpse to home that many of us have had in almost fifty days. The excitement began at around 0700, just after our morning muster when we took on a Boston Harbor pilot. We were quickly made fast within an hour and a half.

Throughout the next hour, students on the ship’s PA system made announcements for the various companies to make their way to one of the lounges where the US Customs officials were stationed to process students and passports. The line wound through the halls and around the ship, but ultimately moved pretty quickly. When you reached the end of the “Passport Parade,” and it was finally your turn, the officials just scanned your face and seldom interacted with you except with the stereotypical pleasantness of a bureaucratic official. The whole process took about twenty seconds and we went back about our day. That was until a 100% room inspection was conducted by the Department of Agriculture officials. This started shortly after all of the passports had been scanned and continued well into the afternoon.

The utility and maintenance companies had their work cut out for them this afternoon. They were charged with preparing the ship for its agriculture inspection which allowed us to take on new food in Boston, after having to dispose of most of the foreign-purchased goods. In addition to this, they had to do a great deal of cleaning. Still, spirits are high because everyone knows that home is right around the corner.

Post by: MIDN 4/C Cooper Parlee, MSE-5

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