News From Fort Schuyler

January 19, 2009 - Volume 9, No. 1

BRAVO ZULU - The officers and crews of New York's harbor craft, ferries, tugs, police, fire and Coast Guard vessels, showed themselves to be at the top of their game with their quick rescue from the Hudson River of the 155 passengers and crew of US Airways Flight 1549 on Thursday, 15 January. They demonstrated with their quick response and professional performance, why the maritime component is such an important element of New York City's transportation system. As an article in the New York Times noted, "On a bitter, frigid afternoon, the plane had come down minutes from people who regularly practice helping." It quotes a ferry captain's comment: "You train so much, you don't have to think about it....I didn't have to give any orders to the crew." (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/nyregion/17about.html?em - 'Old Hands on the River Didn't Have to be Told What to Do,' by Jim Dwyer)

FAR FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS - PHIL KANTZ '65, who went back to sea after many years ashore, sent season's greetings with the news that "I am getting ready to return to sea after the New Year. Likely it will be 35-42 days West Coast to Asia. It gives the guys on board a chance to be home close to the holidays, and it gives me the opportunity to regain my sanity. Then it is return to retirement for another five months." Another correspondent, KIRBY STROSS '77, sailing in the Middle East, writes, "Had an above average Christmas meal out here. The Stewards dept. did a great job. Of course I played my saxophone. Ran through a myriad of Christmas music....we'll be in Salalah, Oman, for New Year's. Home to Job's tomb and also reportedly Mary's father's tomb." In January, Kirby sent a Journal of Commerce opinion piece on the state of the shipping industry, "Tunnel Vision", which, while it expressed some long-range optimism, noted that "...ocean carriers...will have their hands full managing their way through the worst environment that container transport has faced probably since the dawn of the container itself. (JOC, 13 January, 2009.) Kirby writes that, "After 3 years of our run has changed. We are now running between Jebel Ali, UAE, and two ports in Kuwait. Two ships lost run charter to save APL $$. We are now taking over for them. At least we remain, for now on hire, gainfully employed." He concludes: "...our US Flag Fleet is dwindling. Latest we have is that all 16 LSMRs (Large Medium Speed Diesels) are being put out to fleet (MARAD, I suppose.) Effects a whole lotta jobs. Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?"

FEDERAL CASE - The new year began with a story in the 4 January issue of the Albany Times-Union reporting that the eldest daughter of N.Y. State Senate's former Majority Leader, Joseph Bruno, was being investigated by the FBI in connection with hanky panky at SUNY's Research Foundation. "A knowledgeable source said the FBI inquired about Susan Bruno's fundraising activities on behalf of SUNY's Maritime College in New York City, including donations to the college made by political acquaintances of the former senator. (For full details go to: http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=756407&TextPage=1)

CERTIFIABLE - The college's Global Business and Transportation graduate program is offering certificate courses for Vessel Security Officers, Facility Security Officers, and Company Security Officers. Also, a Weapons of Mass Destruction certification is imbedded in the GBAT's Science and Technological Issues of Security course. And, of course, students who take the graduate chartering sequence offered by GBAT receive an ASBA (Association of Ship Brokers & Agents) certificate. (For details check with Larry Howard at lhoward@sunymaritime.edu or 718-409-2977)

NEW SNAME BOOK - The newest edition of Principles of Naval Architecture: Strength of Ships and Ocean Structures is now available from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. This revision of Chapter 4 of PNA "provides extensive coverage in the latest developments in dynamic sea load predictions, including nonlinear load effects, slamming and impact, plus new sections on the mechanics of collisions and groundings." (The cost is $65 for SNAME members. Go to www.sname.org)

WATERPROOFING THE KIDS - A New York City community events website recently promoted the college's programs for children, listing a number of swimming classes for children, ages 1 and up, that started in January. In addition there are classes for adults, swim team prep and Red Cross Life Guard courses. Read all about it at http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2009/01/08/bronx/doc49665cce4180e525861291.txt

RECORDS ARE RISING - According to the college web page, the college welcomed a record number of new enrollees, undergraduate and graduate, for the Spring Semester compared to past years. There were 52 new cadets, 29 new civilian undergraduates and 52 new graduate students, bringing total enrollment to 1,472 students. The Dean of Admissions, Jonathan White, expects this upward trend to continue, " We are already seeing a record number of applications for the Fall 2009 class, with an expected waiting list in March."

EBB TIDE - MARTIN EUGENE HUGHES '55 died on 6 January in Trumbull, Connecticut. He majored in marine engineering at Fort Schuyler and served in the U.S. NAVY, followed by employment at Texaco. Gene was proud of his Irish heritage and was well known for his sense of humor and storytelling abilities. He contributed his photographs taken on campus and during Summer Sea Terms to the Class of 1955 reunion website, "The Well Traveled Schuyler Mariner", that can be seen at http://www.nysmc55.net/memories.html

FRED TRUMPLER '57 died in Ridgefield, Connecticut at the age of 72 on 8 January. After graduating from Fort Schuyler, Lt. Trumpler served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS RUSHMORE. He went on earn a master's Degree at NYU and later became the Vice President and General Manager of Marketing for the former IBM company, Satellite Business Systems, a pioneer in providing private satellite communications via geosynchronous satellites, based in Stamford. Frederick W. Trumpler III participated in the Fort Schuyler Maritime Alumni Association's "Life Experience Forums" as a volunteer speaker. A long time resident of New Canaan, he was active in the community. Fred was head coach of the city's YMCA Boys Basketball All Star Travel Team for 14 years. The father of two sons and a daughter, his obituary on the college website remembered him as "...a beloved father, grandpa, friend and coach."

FAMILY TIES - New updates to the Family Ties listing coming in the next issue of NFFS.