We recently posted about Scott Kelly, the American astronaut who spent almost a year in space on the international Space Station. Scott Kelly is an alumnus of the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. Before graduating in 1987, it is very likely that he trained on the school ship Empire State VI. The school ship is now 54 years old; two years older than Scott Kelly. The school recently posted a letter asking for support for funding to build a replacement. Click on the link below to show your support.
Help us replace the Empire State VI
The men and women who make up the national maritime industry are vital to the nation’s economy and security. They are also in short supply.
The federal government predicts there is a growing need for licensed captains, mates, pilots and ship engineers – four thousand a year until 2022.
Nearly 70 percent of those licensed mariners come from the same source – one of six state maritime academies. Training ships are essential to their mission of educating and preparing the next generation of merchant mariners.
It is time to begin replacing these ships, beginning with the 54-year-old Empire State VI, to ensure the nation has the mariners it needs.
In 2016 the federal budget included funding to design National Security Multi-Mission Vessels – a new class of ships that will be used to train licensed mariners and to respond to disasters.
We are at a critical juncture and need Congress to move forward to fund the construction of the first of these ships.
We need all hands on deck.
Click here to fill in your zip code on this Navy League web page to ask your Congressional representatives to sign onto a letter from Congressmen Joe Crowley and Dan Benishek asking for construction funding in the FY 2017 budget.
For more information:
Letter of support from Reps.Crowley and Benishek
Gen. McDew’s “Losing our Sea Legs”
Total side note: It blows my mind that a 52 year old man is in the physical shape required to be selected for almost a year in space–and if you look at the ages of other contemporary astronauts this isn’t necessarily an outlier these days. But way back when…
Neil Armstrong was 38 when he stepped on the moon and Yuri Gagarin (first man in space) was 27 when he made his journey.
52 is the new 35!
Wouldn’t it make a lot more sense for the cadets to get their sea time on actual working commercial ships, rather than an obsolete vessel?
I would think it could make good economic sense to have one vessel to be “shared” by Kings Point and SUNY Maritime. Geographically, they’re only three or so miles apart.
I see both the Empire State (SUNY) and the Kings Pointer (KP) spending much of their time tied to the piers.
Typically, cadets train on a school ship before serving as cadets on a merchant ship.
Take a page from the Union schools, landlocked but with simulators for deck and engine training, fire fighting capability right outside the door and more. You train hard and then hone those skills out in the fleet. School ships are nice and make a fine sight tied up to the dock, but they remain there most of the year, unless activated for emergencies. Cadets can go to sea on military and commercial vessels for the real deal.
On another note: Why not find out what career path the students are considering before hand? Inland? Deepsea? Office Pogue? Some might not care to go to sea at all.
As a SUNY Maritime graduate, priceless experience. Essential.
WAY TO GO DOMERS
I am really happy to see SUNY Maritime moving forward. Let’s hope that Congress approves it. Brings nice memories of taking classes at Fort Schuyler. I totally agree with Jim M that makes perfect economic sense to share it with Kings Pointers.