Northeast Ohio USMMA Parents Association

North East Ohio Midshipmen Sea Year info

Elise Houston, ‘08* Sea Year 2006 Elise reported for duty on the USNS John Ericcson in December. In addition to normal engine duties, she has been able to attend such on shore activities as a surfing competition and a Pearl Jam concert in Honolulu. She also arrived in Pearl Harbor in time to for the 65^th Anniversary Ceremony observing the attack on Pearl Harbor. She recently had an interesting experience where an emergency break away had to be undertaken during a refueling operation. The ship receiving fuel was carrying weapons and grazed the stern of her ship, which was full of fuel. Elise continues to enjoy Hawaii, particularly, exploring the North Shore where there is cliff diving and beautiful beaches
Rita Dernar, ‘08* Sea Year 2006 In early November, Rita spent a week and a half training on the Kings Pointer with a group of NOAA personnel while waiting for orders. She then headed to Asia and was assigned to an MSC fleet oiler, where they were busy re-fueling up to six ships a day. Rita also trained aboard a carrier for a few days and got to stay on the deck while fighter jets were taking-off and landing. Her MSC ship eventually headed to Hong Kong for the Holiday where she went shopping and visited Disney Hong Kong.



Chris Cunningham,’ 08* Sea Year 2006 Chris finished his sea year sailing with Matson Line Aboard the “SS Kauai”. He completed a two-week internship with the Fairbanks Morse Engine Co. in Beloit, Wisconsin, where he observed the manufacturing and assembly of large marine diesel engines. Chris has sailed with his good friend, Andy Zimmerman, during his sea year. Together, they thoroughly enjoyed skydiving and surfing in Hawaii when the ship was in Honolulu. Chris suggests that all midshipmen should ask for a tour on the Matson Line run from Hawaii to Japan.
Craig Gary, “08* Sea Year 2006 Craig spent the first part of his sea year on the Great Lakes aboard one of the 1000 footers, the M/V Edgar B Speer, hauling iron ore. The usual route was from Two Harbors, MN to Gary, IN, stopping twice in Conneaut, OH. Craig reports that the experience was hands-on, including experiences piloting rivers such as The St. Mary’s River. The Soo Locks provided the unique experience of navigating through ice, dense fog and zero visibility at night. The crew had to depend on electronic charts, bow lookout ears and bow wave bells. In addition, navigating during the day provided experience on currents and navigation landmarks. Craig now has enough time to sit for his pilotage on the St. Mary’s River. During the second half of his sea year, Craig was aboard the SS Horizon Consumer, running from Los Angeles to Honolulu to Oakland to LA (the pineapple run). The experience was great, with nice ports and a great crew. Gary and two other KP midshipmen were aboard and made the most of shore time in Honolulu by going to shark cages and skydiving. Craig is planning on sailing after graduation.
Garrick Sheatzley, ‘10* Sea Year 2006 – Oct 2006 – Mar 2007 Garrick boarded the APL Singapore on October 29^th at San Padre, CA. The APL Singapore is a 904 foot container ship. Garrick assumed engine duties on the second day after boarding and continues to be given additional responsibilities with experience. The ship makes an Asian loop in approximately 30 days. The ship sails from LA to Oakland and then travels to Japan, Korea, China (2 ports), Hong Kong and Taiwan. On its second loop to Asia, the ship stopped in the Alaskan Aleutians to pick-up 250 containers of Alaskan King Crab Legs to transport to Asia.	Photos taken by Garrick from the Aleutians are included on this web site under Sea Year Photos. Garrick reports that this is an amazing ship with an outstanding crew, and he loves being at sea. He has gone ashore in all ports after obtaining a visa to get off the ship in mainland China. His trips have included sightseeing in Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Yokohama, Japan; Pusan, Korea; Xiamen and Chiwan, China; Hong Kong and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. While in Taiwan and ashore, Garrick and crew members experienced a major earthquake. The ship was undamaged and the crew was unharmed, although they were only 50 miles from the epicenter of the quake that measured a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale. It was a first for Garrick. He is currently on his fourth trip, which included 3 stops in Northern China and will head back to the Academy in Mid-March.





Anthony Galka, ‘10* Sea Year 2007 I have received my ship assignment. I will be on the APL Korea, a container ship traveling to Japan , China , Taiwan , and Korea . I will be staying with my sea partner at his house in Long Beach , California . On Tuesday, November 6^th, he and I will report aboard the APL-Korea out of a Los Angeles port. We will sail to and be in Oakland , Calif on Nov 8^th. Here are the stops we will make: Nov 18^th- Yokohama , Japan Nov 20^th- Pusan , Korea Nov 24^th- Hong Kong Nov 25^th- Chiwan , China Nov 27^th- Kaoshiung , Taiwan Nov 28^th- Xiamen , China From Xiamen , we will sail back to the states. We will be making 3 round trips. I will be out at sea for 105 days.	Almost all the pictures I have taken so far are of machinery and pipes and valves. Oh Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving. I will be spending my Thanksgiving here out at sea between Busan, Korea, and Xiamen, China tomorrow. The head cook on this ship is named Vincent (Vinnie). He is excellent. We have had king crab legs and leg of lamb for dinner.
Maxim Alpers, ‘10* Sea Year 2007 Max is on the large container ship Maersk Montana	Max is at sea until end of February 2008 or beginning of March. He is on large container ship Maersk Montana. This ship was built in 2006. He is (will) visit ports: Newark NJ, Norfolk VA, Charleston SC, Cagliari (Italy), Port Said and Suez Canal (Egypt), Salalah (Oman), Dubai, Port Quasim (Pakistan) Jawaharlal Nehru (India). He will do this round trip twice during his sea time until spring break.