I LOVE SCHOOL

It's been about two months since the school year started and my vessel operations class has been full of awesome experiences. We have gone on a tour of Mein Schiff 2 a German /American cruise, down rigged Mystic Whaler, practiced boat handling, had a site visit at clipper city and waver tree and a conference about reducing the carbon footprint. But the most memorable experience this semester was going to the US Coast Guard Eagle. The Eagle is a large sailing ship that was built in Germany in 1936 but it was re-commissioned by the US at the end of WW2. The Eagle was docked at the USCG Academy in New London. We got a full tour of the ship. We walked through the galley, the decks, the cabins, the head and engine room. They use the Eagle every year as a training ship for the students, they would go out for weeks at a time traveling the globe. Nothing on deck was automated everything was hand done, they usually operate with over 100 crew onboard and it takes so much helping hands to bring down sails or go underway. Teamwork is crucial on the Eagle and that makes it so great for training. This trip has given me a lot of insight into the Coast Guard Academy and it has peaked my interest in joining the Coast Guard. It’s shown me what I need to work on and ways to accomplish those things before the time comes and I would have to apply for the Academy. It’s such a cool vessel and is rich in history, was an amazing tour and I can’t wait to return some time in the future.