Massachusetts Maritime Academy Honors Kennedy Legacy

BUZZARDS BAY, MA - Massachusetts Maritime Academy recently renamed its 540-foot training ship KENNEDY in honor of the Kennedy family. In a ceremony held January 10, 2009, the Academy recognized the extraordinary public service contributions of the Kennedys. In attendance were Joseph P. Kennedy III, U.S. Representative William Delahunt, Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray, Massachusetts State Senator Robert A. O’Leary and Massachusetts State Representative Susan Gifford.

The work of many members of the Kennedy family influenced the decision to rename the vessel. From the appointment of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. as the first chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission to the decorated naval careers of Joseph Kennedy Jr. and John F. Kennedy, the family has represented the maritime culture well. Robert F. Kennedy was a member of the US Naval Reserve. The extraordinary public service records of Senator Edward Kennedy and his sister Eunice Kennedy have improved the lives of many in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and across the country. Senator Kennedy received an honorary degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2006 in recognition to his support of education, environmental standards, and civil rights.

Renaming a ship entails more than just a fresh coat of paint on the stern and bow. There is significant signage on board, as required by US Coast Guard standards that must be updated to reflect the new name, as well as a new registration. To support the work necessary to ensure compliance with these safety and regulatory requirements, friends of the Academy stepped forward to shoulder some of the costs. Support for this initiative came from Jay Cashman, Inc. of Quincy, MA and Canal Towing & Assist of Buzzards Bay, MA and Belfast, Maine.

The following day, the newly christened T.S. KENNEDY set sail on its annual training cruise. Participation in at least one sea term is a requirement for every major and offers one of the most unique and valuable hands on training available for undergraduates. Ports of call for 2009 include Tampa, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, USVI.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a four-year college offering six undergraduate majors: Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, Marine Safety & Environmental Protection, Emergency Management, Facilities & Environmental Engineering, and International Maritime Business. Two graduate degrees are offered in Facilities Engineering and Emergency Management. MMA is the oldest continuously operating maritime academy in the country. Since 1891, the Academy has prepared the finest graduates for work in the maritime, environmental and engineering fields.