Commandant's Desk
Stewart `00 in Charleston, South Carolina to see
better way to recruit future mariners than to let
if we might pay a visit. Jay immediately started
our midshipmen show them what they do. And
coordinating services, and while providing us
our men and women did just that.
pilotage, he also managed to secure tugs, lines
As we ply our way to Galveston now, Wendy
and dockage--al gratis. As if this wasn't enough,
Morrison '85 is preparing to come out and meet
he immediately started lobbying for us to return
us as our pilot, and has worked with the staff at
next year when we wil have two South Carolina
Texas A&M to coordinate services much like the
midshipmen aboard.
two previous ports. While the financial services
While we were enjoying Charleston courtesy
provided by the effort of these alumni amount to
of Jay, I received phone cal s from David Knapp
more than $30,000, what is even more valuable is
'86 and Eric Smith '86 in Tampa. They were
their interaction with our students in port. When
looking to determine what we needed prior
the midshipmen witness the pride of our alumni
to our arrival in their town. After three phone
in the traditions of hard work and excellence that
conversations and about 200 emails, the duo had
the students are carrying on, that pride shows in
secured pilotage, tugs, lines and a discounted
al they do.
ALUMNI SUPPORT FOR CRUISE
dockage fee. On top of this, David was able to
I would be remiss in speaking about alumni
Greetings Shipmates,
obtain 50 tickets to the basebal game where
interaction if I did not point out the massive
it was expected that our students would get to
alumni effort put forth in operating this training
TSStateofMaineiswelintothetraining seetheRaysbeatuponthedreadedYankees. ship,fromCapt.LesEadie'76tonewlicensed
cruise as I write this, and as I walked the
Unfortunately, the Rays were not as capable as
officers like Sean O'Connor '16 and Mikayla
decks this morning pondering what to
our alumni in delivering the goods. Nevertheless,
Cowette '16. As part of the permanent crew and
report to you, I was struck by the realization that
our midshipmen were able to take advantage of
training officers, we have no fewer than 20 alum-
most people have no idea how much alumni do
the hospitality of Tampa and had their first taste
ni taking part in the training of the next gener-
in support of these most valuable training voy-
of real Cuban sandwiches.
ation, standing watch with them, instructing in
ages. So, I would like to take this opportunity to
We also sent a group of our students to meet
the classroom and overseeing their maintenance
il ustrate the unique ways they have found to give
with two high school magnet programs focused
of the ship.
back to MMA and shape the lives of our future
on the maritime industries. Six midshipmen pro-
As we celebrate the 75th year of MMA, I hope
Mariners.
vided hour-long question and answer periods at
to see you al come home to touch base with
When Savannah, Georgia was unable to
each school and then tours of the ship to students
the next generation. They are hungry for your
guarantee a berth for us, we contacted Jay
and parents over the weekend. There can be no
knowledge, wisdom and most important, your
sea stories, as they start creating their own.
Until next time,
Congratulations Maine Maritime Academy Class of 2016!
Capt. Nathan Gandy '92
Please enjoy images of MMA's Commencement Celebration
link: http://goo.gl/N3Ts0G
Sarah Szwajkos photography
DAMN RABBIT STUDIOS
damnrabbitstudios.com . 207-232-8541 . info@damnrabbitstudios.com
mainemaritime.edu
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