News From Fort Schuyler

January 25, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 3

"Messages can reach Irv's family through his daughter, Kim Singleton's email: bnk.singleton@att.net"

WHAT SHIP IS THAT ? The presence of PERSISTENT at Fort Schuyler is explained by ERHARD KOEHLER, Class of 1987, the Schoolship Program Manager at MARAD: "PERSISTENT is on temporary assignment to SUNY Maritime while EMPIRE STATE is at Mass Maritime. In concept the assignment is similar to last year's provision of the HARKNESS for STCW-related training and watchstanding. PERSISTENT, however, is an operable vessel, and we expect that the college will make use of her in small vessel operations and some short training cruises. MARAD acquired the vessel from the Coast Guard in November 2001 for eventual schoolship assignment to Great Lakes Maritime Academy. The Coast Guard had operated PERSISTENT, and her sister VINDICATOR (T-AGOS 3), as support ships for drug interdiction operations in 2000-2001. The ships were laid up and made available for disposal in April 2001. VINDICATOR was transferred to NOAA, and is presently in Norfolk undergoing reactivation and upgrade."

"Both ships were comprehensively overhauled by the Coast Guard before entering drug interdiction service. In November, MARAD assigned Apex Marine Ship management, Inc., as General Agent to reactivate the PERSISTENT for this assignment. The reactivation was completed with the assistance and hard work of several SUNY Maritime College personnel and cadets. I don't have all their names, but they included Captain RICK SMITH [Class of 1981], Mates PETE VECCHIO [Class of 1992] and JOHN RYAN [Class of 1989], and Engineer MATT HERRINGTON [Class of 1995], plus several very motivated cadets. On the delivery voyage we also had four cadets from GLMA onboard standing watches. The college remains fully involved with completing the reactivation and initial certification as a schoolship (change to Subchapter R from Subchapter U), for which MARAD extends its appreciation. The PERSISTENT should remain alongside at Fort Schuyler through May."

CRUISE NEWS - Currently sailing with Military Sealift Command,SEAN McCARTHY, Class of 1999, reports: "Just returned Christmas Eve from an extended cruise aboard the USNS SIRIUS. Saw the EMPIRE STATE here at the Norfolk Naval Base earlier this week. They were having a new crane put on aft. Got a chance to chat with a few of the Mass. Maritime Training Officers at Nick's Bar. They said the trip down from Cape Cod even had the seniors vomiting. So they decided to duck into the Naval Base and have the crane work done earlier instead of later on their return trip north." [The log for this winter cruise of TSES to Mexico, Puerto Rico and Florida, is updated daily at www.mma.mass.edu ]

"Chief Mate ROBERT BAUS [Class of 1989], who was PAUL BAMONTE's roommate, is assigned to the SIRIUS. He indicated he has a nephew now attending Maritime. Often see PAUL KALAPODOS [Class of 2001] who is Third Mate aboard the USNS LEROY GRUMMOND."

"Last weekend went and stayed a night with MAUREEN BURNS [the former College Nurse] and her husband Alex in Greensboro, NC. They took me to a semipro hockey game there. They stay very busy with the team being "Boosters" and have "Adopted" a Canadian Hockey Player as is required of each of the Boosters. Maureen looks great. She is doing well after her small stroke on the training ship."

DR. GRAHAM REMEMBERED - "I had Dr. GRAHAM for English" writes DANIEL LEVIN, Class of 1975. "Although this was a required course, and often did not get the attention from the students it deserved, he was very gracious to those who showed interest in the material (even the engineers.)"

"As you may not know, he was the Cantorial advisor to the Central Conference of American Rabbis and greatly contributed to 'Gates of Prayer,' the prayer book that the Reform Jewish movement has been using since 1975. Dr. Graham also worked on its successor, which was recently published. Back in 1974, when he heard my father was a Rabbi, he sent me home with the galley proofs so my father could see them; a kindness that was never forgotten."

GOVERNORS ISLAND GROUP - Here are some addition details about the Governors Island Flotilla, provided by RICHARD MOONEY. "The 'People's Flotilla' to Governors Island is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, from 11 o'clock to noon. The organizers are now signing up a fleet of all shapes and sizes, whether powered by motor, sail or paddles and oars. Interested boaters should get in touch with John Doswell at (212) 757-1600 or John@doswellproductions.com. Non-boaters should get themselves to Battery Park anyhow for music, entertainment and historic hoopla.

"The aim is to assemble 1,000 boats in the harbor between Battery Park and the island, and then dispatch one of them to the island to stake a flag and New York's claim to possession. New York gave the island to the federal government 200 years ago to defend the new nation against acquisitive foreign invaders. The purpose of the flotilla is simply to call attention to New York's claim to have it back, now that the Feds no longer want it. The Governors Island Group, a collection of civic-minded organizations, has no specific plan for the island, other than that it be open to the public. The Feds are threatening to sell it to the highest bidder."

IN WITH THE NEW - Goodbye 'Alumni Bulletin,' hello 'Fort Schuyler Mariner.' The next issue of the official publication of the Alumni Association will bear that new title to accompany the updated layout and additional columns that have appeared in the last two issues. Hats off to Editor BRUCE WETTERAU for a good start. [BTW - Bruce is always looking for alumni news and good story ideas, just sent them to him c/o the Alumni Association e-mail Director@fsmaa.org ]

CELEBRATING THE OLD - A head's up from JACK GENSCH, Acting President of the Parents' Association, that this hard-working group of moms and dads are planning to mark the Association's 50th Anniversary this Fall. Stay tuned. http://www.SunyMaritime.org