News From Fort Schuyler

August 3, 2009 - Volume 9, No. 32

THE 3 ARRRRS - The July 28, 2009 issue of the Village Voice, of all places, features a comprehensive story on one aspect of maritime education in its Fall/Winter Education Supplement. Titled, 'Pirate School, for the Merchant Sailor in You', the article by Michael P. Ventura discusses recent anti-piracy seminars and classroom presentations at SUNY Maritime and Kings Point as well as at-sea training. For example: "Captain JOSEPH AHLSTROM '82, a SUNY Maritime instructor, teaches about maritime security techniques and guidelines established by the U.S. Coast Guard, such as where to mount barbed wire (sometimes electrified) to thwart boarders, how to use soap to make exterior surfaces of the ship too slick to scale, and how to implement non-lethal deterrents like high-powered light beams, sonic beams, and even the ship's fire hose." [www.villagevoice.com/2009-07-28/news/pirate-school-for-the-merchant-sailor-in-you]

HORSEY SET - According to PHIL OHL '56: "After our 40th reunion some twelve years ago, BOB GUTHORN and his wife Mickey began gathering classmates and wives together every August for A Day at Saratoga Racetrack, which is near to their home in Ballston Spa. It has become an annual event, looked forward to and enjoyed by all. The Saratoga Racetrack is one of the country's oldest and very beautiful with ornate ironwork fencing and railings, a lovely clubhouse, and manicured grounds of gardens and flowers. The August weather almost always cooperates with blue skies and sunshine. The guys get a chance to catch up and the women chat and mostly choose the winning horses. Among the many attendees over the years are DICK BRACKEN, JOE CARBERY, JOHN FLYNTZ, WALTER JOHNSON, LEE McCHESNEY, NORM RANDALL, ARA SHIMSHIDIAN, CHARLIE WITHERWAX, the late WILLIE WALSH and others. The Guthorns host cocktails and supper at their home after the racing day. We all look forward to August at Saratoga."

ONLINE FOR ACTIVE DUTY - Fort Schuyler is waiving application fees for active duty service personnel who want to apply for its master's degree program in International Transportation Management. In addition, successful applicants pay the in-state tuition rate. Contact Robert Wolf, Director of Graduate Admissions (718-409-2258 or rwolf@sunymaritime.edu) or go to www.sunymaritime.edu for details.

HALF PRICE OFFER - The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) has a special promotion which expires Friday, August 7. "If you are not already a member of the world's leading technical society for naval architects, marine and ocean engineers, now is your chance to join. By joining now, you can try out SNAME membership for 6 months at the special price of only $75."

And there's more! "In addition, your membership will include a free journal subscription through December 2009, a value of up to $170.00." [these quarterly journals are J. of Ship Production or J. of Ship Research.] https://mars.sname.org:443/membership/membership_application_MR2009.htm

ONE IN FIVE - Responding to a query about how SUNY Maritime compares to other state schools regarding its male/female student ratio, Provost/VPAA JOSEPH HOFFMAN '75 writes: ":We are about 10% across the board for women - the rest of the state maritime academies, except for California, which has a little bit larger percentage (mostly in their non-license Global Studies program) have the same. My goal (and hence Admission's goal) is 20% female by 2015. Jonathan White, our Dean of Admissions, ran a very successful WAVE (Women Achieving in Valor and Excellence) program here two weeks ago and had 35 women show up - 28 of whom are starting classes here in September."

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS - News that TOM KRIGGER '87 has been promoted to General Manager at the Bradford Marine shipyard in Florida. After graduation, Tom, a naval architecture major at Fort Schuyler, sailed worldwide for eight years, raising his license to First Engineer. He began work at Bradford Marine in 1996. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in 1999 to help with Bradford Marine Bahamas' construction of a 1,200-ton floating drydock. In 2003 Tom rose to Vice President of Operations and Superintendent of Bradford Marine Fort Lauderdale, where, according to a press release: "... he manages the daily operations of the shipyard and he will continue in that capacity while assuming his new duties. His extensive shipyard experience and measureless knowledge of the yachting industry will be of even more benefit to our megayacht owners and their captains." (www.bradford-marine.com)

HEARTENING NEWS - Alva Jones writes that her husband, "ED JONES 57 is recovering from a successful open-heart surgery. (New bypass graft and calcified aortic valve replacement.) He has heard from many '57 classmates, thanks to JIM McGOVERN and RALPH SIRICO. He plans to reply soon to all who kindly wrote him. The Newsletter has been a pleasant part of this recuperation and we appreciated Ralph for getting Ed on the subscription list. Keep up the good work, Richard." [Speedy recuperation and keep enjoying NFFS.]