News From Fort Schuyler

June 7, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 20

CREW'S NEWS - Cadet engineers have been busy in both the engineroom and on their keyboards. The Summer Sea Term web page now has journal comments through May 23 by Cadet JOSH KEMPF and Cadet EDWARD HULICK, both engine rates, both in the Class of 2003. The website also has an up-to-date location map with longitude and latitude. Stay tuned for photos and maybe even cruise news from the deck side. (http://www.sunymaritime.edu)

POWER OF ADVERTISING - MIKE WILLS, the Maritime parent who posted an online album of TSES VI departure pictures (NFFS May 24 -Training Ship Sets Sail), writes: "There have been 500 hits on the Maritime Departure photo album and I am thinking of other potential venues that would benefit the school. I have sent the link to the president, vice president, both Senators and the U.S. Representative for my district. I will send it to the governor and the state legislators who represent me." Any other suggested recipients for Mike?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Here's a breakfast invitation from JOE TARTAGLIA, Class of 1976, to folks in the NYC area interesting in making business contacts or finding a job. "The very first MBIX Business Networking Breakfast has been tentatively scheduled" for Thursday, June 27 - from 0800 to 1000 at High Caliber Systems, 171 Madison Avenue - Room 1400 (near 33d St.) "A 10 minute walk from Penn Station, Grand Central and the PATH trains." The price is $19 ("Money left over goes to the Alumni Association.") Joe needs to get a rough head-count. Send Joe an email (joet@HighCaliber.com) if you are reasonably sure you will attend. Also, let him know who you would like to meet/do business with so he can extend personal invitations.

CIO FOR SCHUYLER - Maritime is looking for a Chief Information Officer. According to an ad in the current Chronicle of Higher Education: "The CIO will work with the college leadership in the development of creative applications of technology to the curriculum and the college technological infrastructure ... The CIO will have responsibility for oversight of Maritime College [sic] many and varied information technology systems, including academic and administrative systems and infrastructure." Despite the position's impressive title, the academic requirements are minimal: "Bachelors degree in related field required, master's preferred." There is more emphasis on experience: "At least 5 years' progressive experience in the application of information resources and technologies, including substantial involvement in administrative systems implementation and support, preferably in higher education. Strong oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated proficiency in managing multiple priorities. Must be knowledgeable about current and evolving in formation technologies in a networked environment." For full details, contact Director of Human Resources, SUNY Maritime College, 6 Pennyfield Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465.

AMISTAD, AMIGOS - The replica of the slave ship AMISTAD will be in the New York area from August 31 through September 21, with stops in Sag Harbor, Brooklyn and Manhattan. The construction of this 129' schooner was coordinated by QUENTIN SNEDIKER, Class of 1972. (NFFS March 21, and March 31, 2000)

One of the stops in NY will be in connection with the annual conference of the UCC, the denominational entity for a large number of Congregational churches. According to their website (http://www.ucc.org): "The original AMISTAD was a coastal cargo vessel carrying 53 kidnaped Africans who had been sold into slavery until they broke their chains and seized the ship. Thinking they were sailing for home and freedom, they were tricked by the pilot and apprehended off the coast of Long Island, N.Y. Brought to New Haven, Conn., they were jailed on charges of mutiny and murder. The story might have ended right there if it hadn't been for a courageous band of Congregational, Baptist and Presbyterian abolitionists who fought the charges all the way to the Supreme Court, which set the captives free on the grounds that they have never been slaves." For more about the replica go to http://www.amistadamerica.org

MARITIME DAY WEST COAST STYLE - According the ED DANGLER, Class of 1949, San Diego's Maritime Day "...on May 24th was a resounding success. VADM Herberger USN(ret) former MARAD Administrator, gave the audience of some 300 from all facets of the San Diego waterfront industry, government and maritime support businesses, an analysis of the current status of the U.S. Merchant Marine and planned policy initiatives underway in Washington. Dr. RAY ASHLEY, Executive Director of San Diego Maritime Museum, provided an informative talk on San Diego's role in U.S. ocean commerce and some historical background."

"Unfortunately, the running competition between the various alumni groups from the maritime academies was not won by SUNY Maritime College. Maine Maritime, with the fewest grads residing here in San Diego again led the attendance ...However, if we lost in quantity, we certainly made up for it in the achievement category of our attendees."

"In order of seniority by class we had Cantor SHELDON MEREL, Class of [October] 1944. Cantor Merel sailed in WWII as 2nd Asst. Engineer on Liberty vessels in North Atlantic convoys. He later became a world renowned cantor, retired some years ago, and is Cantor Emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in San Diego. In addition to liturgical singing, Cantor Merel has also performed in operas and musicals. We were honored to have in our group, Dr. JAKE JACOBSEN, Class of [January] 1946. Dr. Jacobsen, CAPT USN(ret), was one of the founders of National University (http://www.nu.edu) and is Vice President Emeritus of that institution. Jake is also active in veterans groups and is a former Man of the Year for the US Navy League. The Class of 1949 had DON PENNIALL, founder of Monarch E&S Insurance Services, Inc., one of the largest of its type managing general agency organizations on the West Coast. Dr. BOB MULVIHILL, consultant to NASA and one of the nation's leading risk management analysis and reliability engineering experts, myself, ED DANGLER, maritime attorney, CAPT USNR(ret), and Master - Oceans and tonnage unlimited. TOM HAND, PE, Class of 1957, recently retired as president of MPA Consulting. The Class of 1983 was represented by VINNIE CASIANO, attorney and recently elected chairman of the San Diego County Bar Association Elder Law section. The youngster in our group was Captain BILL BARTSCH, Class of 1984, San Diego Bay Pilots Association and active member of the San Diego Port Tenants Association."

"As I told Mike Fulton, President of the Maine Maritime Academy Alumni ...'wait 'til next year.'"

LEGENDARY LIGHTHOUSES - Here's a website featured in this week's Librarians' Index to the Internet which "... explores the history, legends, lore and workings of lighthouses along the shorelines of the United States. Companion Web site to a PBS TV program. http://www.pbs.org/legendarylighthouses/ "