In harm's way...

A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy ('05), our oldest son Nick is a licensed merchant mariner and a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves. The Somali pirate attacks on the Maersk-Alabama hit home for us, and as the events unfolded, we communicated with Nick often - bringing him up to date on the latest news. The captain and civilian crew and their families were in our constant thoughts and prayers, and it was with tears of great joy that we rejoiced in Captain Phillips' dramatic rescue yesterday afternoon.

During the four years midshipmen are students at Kings Point (the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy), they must spend over 300 days at sea on U.S. flag ships completing Sea Year Projects in engineering and navigation before they can sit for their Coast Guard licenses at the end of their senior year and graduate from the Academy. Though it was thankfully not the case, it would not have been surprising to learn that Kings Point cadets - as they are called when they are at sea - were aboard the Maersk-Alabama.

During Nick's sophomore year at Kings Point in the winter of 2002-2003, he spent approximately 100 days at sea on a container ship much like the Maersk-Alabama making voyages between New York, Charleston, and various ports in the Mediterranean Sea. The photos above were taken when we caught up with his ship in Charleston just before Christmas that year. Though port security was tight, we were cleared to tour the ship and briefly observe the logistically challenging tasks of unloading and loading containers. Port security has increased significantly since then, and we would not have that opportunity today.

Captain Phillips and his crew knew the dangers they faced in the hostile waters of the Indian Ocean, and most certainly also knew that many successful pirate attacks have not had positive outcomes. After giving himself up to the pirates in exchange for the safe release of his crew, Captain Phillips must have considered that his own rescue would be nothing short of miraculous. His personal sacrifice makes me think of this verse from John chapter 1...

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

...and I praise God for Captain Phillips, the United States Navy, and this amazing story on Easter Sunday.

Saturday Photo Hunt - Nautical

Nautical:: related to or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships A challenging category for me this week -- not because I don't have any photographs that would fit the theme, but because I have too many.

My dad, my husband, and my brother-in-law were sailors in the United States Navy. My father-in-law was a merchant mariner during WWII. My son Nick is a 2005 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, a LT JG in the United States Navy Reserves, and holds a Coast Guard license as a Chief Mate in the merchant marine industry. I've lived all my life in a state that is surrounded on three sides by water, and boats of various sizes frequently navigate the river that runs through our little town.

Most of my archived "nautical" photos are stored on cd's, so to narrow my choices I opted to only resource those photos I could quickly identify in my current hard drive.

3rd class midshipmen at Kings Point (sophomores) spend approximately 100 days at sea in addition to their academic studies back at the academy. (During their 2nd class or junior year they complete the required 330 sea days necessary for graduation). Nick's 3rd class year at sea was on a container ship that sailed from Charleston to various ports around the Mediterranean Sea. During the three round-trip voyages on that ship, he was able to visit Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Italy and Spain. We caught up with the ship just before Christmas that year as it was sailing into Charleston. The top left photo was taken from the beach as Nick's ship was entering Charleston Harbor. The other three photos were taken while the boat was docked. The mechanics and logistics of unloading and loading container ships was fascinating to watch.

 

Each Kings Point graduating class designs their class ring and this was the Class of 2005 design. In addition to the typical nautical symbols found on most Kings Point rings, the class of 2005 included images of the Twin Towers. On a clear day the towers were visible from the Academy Waterfront, and September 11, 2001, was a particularly clear day. Midshipmen from the class of 2002-2005 watched in horror as the towers burned and were later called upon to participate in rescue and relief efforts at Ground Zero. Nick was one of only 18 Plebes (freshmen) chosen to participate in that effort and was recognized with the others at graduation. The class of 2005 honored the towers on their ring - as the last class at Kings Point to see them on the horizon.

 

This public dock is conveniently located within easy walking distance of the post office and a grocery store, which is why it is rare to not find several sailboats docked here all the time.

 


...and a sailboat at sunset at a public dock on the opposite shore of that same river. "Fair Winds and Following Seas"... to all my photohunt friends and a great big thanks to TNChick, for hosting the Saturday Photo Hunt every week. For "nautical" photos from other Photo Hunt participants be sure to click on the Photo Hunter Banner or the Technorati PhotoHunt tag below. The theme for next week's Photo Hunt is: warm.


Technorati tag - PhotoHunt

Project: Coffee::Fashion Statement

My month of coffee seems to have turned into a month of coffee cups. Probably much more realistic for someone like me who lives in a rural community an hour from the closest starbucks. I had to laugh this morning when I realized my unplanned fashion statement: a coffee mug that matched my sweater, my pajamas and my tablecloth. My "U.S. Merchant Marine Academy MOM" mug is one of my favorites. Our son Nick graduated from Kings Point in '05 and our whole family benefited from his 4 years at the Academy. Nick was appointed Regimental Commander (leader of the student body) his senior year and marched in the 2005 Inauguration parade, and Emily and I were gifted a trip to D.C. to attend the Inauguration events. We sat with the military in bleachers during the parade and froze our buns, but the entire experience was one that we will always treasure.