TS Kennedy

TS Kennedy is the primary training vessel for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, serving as a floating campus for cadets pursuing maritime education. Originally constructed as a Lykes Lines cargo ship, it was converted for its educational mission and renamed in honor of the academy's former president, Admiral Maurice Bresnahan. The ship is central to the academy's Sea Term, providing hands-on experience in navigation, engineering, and shipboard operations on extended voyages.

History

The vessel was laid down in 1966 at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation shipyard in Sparrows Point, Maryland, and entered service in 1967 as the SS *Velma Lykes* for the Lykes Lines fleet. For over three decades, it operated as a breakbulk cargo carrier, transporting goods on various trade routes. In 2003, the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) acquired the vessel and transferred it to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy under the National Defense Reserve Fleet program. It replaced the previous training ship, TS *Empire State*, and was renamed in honor of President John F. Kennedy, a Massachusetts native and Navy veteran.

Design and specifications

The ship was originally designed as a C4-S-1u type breakbulk cargo vessel, a class built for versatility in the mid-20th century. Its hull is 540 feet long with a beam of 76 feet and a draft of 29 feet, displacing approximately 14,150 gross tons. Propulsion is provided by a single General Electric steam turbine driving a fixed-pitch propeller, capable of a service speed of 20 knots. For its training role, the vessel underwent significant modifications, including the installation of modern GMDSS equipment, updated navigation bridges, and expanded berthing and classroom spaces to accommodate over 600 cadets and 70 crew members and staff.

Service and operations

Following its conversion, it entered service for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2003, immediately assuming a rigorous annual schedule centered around the Sea Term. Its operational pattern typically involves a two-month winter training cruise, sailing to ports in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and occasionally through the Panama Canal. These voyages provide cadets with practical experience in watchstanding, engine room operations, and cargo handling simulations. During the summer and fall, the ship often participates in community outreach events, serving as a host vessel during port visits to cities like New York, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale.

Training and academic role

As the academy's primary at-sea training platform, it is integral to the curriculum for all license-track majors, including Marine Transportation, Marine Engineering, and International Maritime Business. Cadets live and work aboard, rotating through departments that mirror a commercial vessel's organization, under the supervision of licensed Coast Guard officers and academy faculty. The hands-on training fulfills requirements set by the STCW Convention and is critical for cadets to sit for their Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer license exams. The ship also supports research projects and hosts personnel from other institutions like the United States Naval Academy.

Notable incidents and events

In January 2015, the vessel assisted the disabled sailing yacht *Sean Seamour II* in the Atlantic Ocean, providing medical aid and stabilizing the situation until the Coast Guard could effect a rescue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its 2021 Sea Term was notably modified into a "quarantine cruise," with cadets and crew undergoing a strict isolation period before departure to ensure a safe training environment. The ship has also been a frequent participant in maritime commemorations, including fleet reviews in New York Harbor and serving as the backdrop for ceremonies honoring the academy's connection to the Military Sealift Command.

Category:Training ships of the United States Category:Ships built in Maryland Category:Individual ships