MMA Training Ship Narrowly Escapes Earthquake Duty in Haiti

Earlier this week, nearly 600 cadets from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy are told that the ship would be dispatched to assist in the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Seven hours later, federal authorities rescind the order and the annual training cruise continues as planned.

On Monday, U.S. State Department and the U.S. Maritime Administration ordered the training ship “Kennedy” to discontinue its training cruise and then prepare to assist in the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Already in the general area, the 15,000-ton vessel was, at that time, headed for Curaçao, and immediately turned around. Just seven hours later, federal authorities cancelled the order. The vessel, like those of the other state maritime academies, is owned by MARAD and is loaned for training purposes. In the end, the U.S. Navy reportedly decided to use its own vessel instead.

As the order was issued, Mass. Maritime president ADM Richard Gurnon said in a letter to MMA parents, “MMA has a long tradition of helping out in emergencies and, after the emergency situation ends, we have always been able to successfully resolve the various issues regarding sea time, license exams, semester credit, academic schedule, etc. Faced with 50,000 dead, hundreds of thousands injured and millions without the basics of life, Sea Term 2010 is truly a minor issue. Going to aid those who are helping the injured and saving lives is the least we can do.”

In the end, it would appear that MSC and the U.S. Navy realized that they had better vessels to tackle the task at hand - especially with the two Hawaii Superferry hulls now at their disposal. Beyond this, the logisitics and cost of sending some 500 cadets home via air was likely weighed against the benefit of spending those funds elsewhere.

The close call is not without precedent. In 2005, training ships State of Maine, Empire State and Texas Clipper, were used to assist those caught in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. MARAD remains heavily involved with the Haitian relief effort, using other assets. The annual training cruise will now continue as planned.