DISQUS

Well now I am not quite sure why this Post of Proceedings has been made. Sector Miami are well known to me from my cruise ship Safety Officer days. It is interesting to see the LT. getting on job training. Of course she and CWO are conducting an Inspection at the same time -hmmm. Recently there was a comment that USCG personnel are NOT STCW qualified. Yet here we see them conducting an Inspection of a PASSENGER SHIP and complete with OJT. Makes one wonder doesn't it!! I have asked USCG to clarifiy the STCW situation and await their answer with bated breath. USCG do so many things so well but this seems a serious loose end. Of course I can ask because I do NOT have to appear before them for any more 5 year renewals. Miss you guys - I think. Good Watch.

eed. Imagine how it feels when some snotty nosed Ensign just out of the USCG Academy starts instructing a cruise ship Master with 45 years seatime of which 25 was in command.
Nearly strangled the little twerp, fortunately a more senior officer came and apoligized.
Good Watch

This is hardly a new or unproven method of training. My own experience was as a British Merchant Navy Deck Apprentice. After three months shore training I joined my first ship just 3 days after my 17th. Birthday. Indentures with the Company were co-signed by my Father and were for 4 years, 1954 to 1958, at sea. During my last year I was promoted to 4th. Officer and stood watch with the Chief Officer. Then I was promoted to Third Officer on one of the smaller tonnage ships where I stood watch as OOW. We Apprentices worked under the Bosun to learn all deck work from experienced seaman. We stood Bridge & cargo watches, day & night, steering, kept lookout thus understudying the OOW. The result was that I thoroughly knew all deck, cargo and Bridge work. When it came to giving orders I knew from personal experience just what was required of each job and how long it took. Thus I always had the respect of my crews. They knew I knew my job and did not give them ridiculus orders. Finally I retired some 50 years later as Foreign-going Master. I am still active Maritime Consulting, teaching BSA Sea Scouts, writing and guest speaking. It might be fair to conclude that my training was very good and I applied it well. The judgement is yours. Good Watch

Where on earth was THIS? I have not seen one like that even on the Miami River boats loading for Haiti. Surely USCG did not allow this from a U.S. port. Great photo however!!

The "MONA LISA" was recently returned to cruise ship status from school ship status. It would seem lessons were NOT learned.

Dreadful camera work. Did not really illustrate an on deck chopper landing. Actually felt sorry for the Ship Pilots!!

This could be one of those bright ideas that turns out not quite so bright. That type of switch is hard to make watertight and projecting like that is not good design for vessel mounting. May not quite be the AIDD we are looking for. I agree with Fred Fry's comment but I particularly like Pachino's!!

Glad to see Kennebec Captain corrected your article. It is important to research accurately before publishing. Even more so in the complex world of ship registering. Spent three years in Spill Response after OPA 90 and 50 years in maritime industry. Still learning!!