 ::
Ship Life ::
The Commanding Officer (Captain or Master) of a ship has
the legal and moral responsibility for the safety of the
ship and for the well being of every person aboard. Therefore,
the Captain is on duty 24 hours a day. Because of this
unique responsibility, and the nature of sea ventures
in the eyes of the law, a great deal of authority is afforded
the Captain. As a public vessel of the United States,
the Captain has the additional responsibility of the representative
nature of the ship and crew when in foreign countries.
The Master's authority is promulgated and delegated through
a vertical "chain-of-command" organizational
structure. This structure consists of Deck and Engineering
Officers with senior officers acting as department heads.
Thus, the ship's licensed Officers receive their authority
from the Master; the CMA Cadet Corps structure hierarchy
receives their authority from the Officers, and so on
down the chain of command.
As
a crewman aboard the training ship, you become subject
to the authority of the ship's Master and Officers.
You are expected to obey all lawful instructions and
perform all assigned duties, which in fact, are not
many. You must also comply with instructions given to
you by cadet watchstanders and boat coxswains. Some
of the "rights" you enjoy as purely college
students are superceded by your legal obligation as
seamen. However, it is fully recognized that you are
NOT training to become professional mariners. Therefore,
the rules and regulations that you will be subject to
are considerably more relaxed than those required by
the CMA cadets, but are still necessary for the good
order and sanitary condition of the ship. CMA students
are training to become Officer leaders and are therefore
subject to different, and usually more stringent, regulations.
However, you should expect certain rules and requirements
while on the ship that you would NOT normally be subject
to as a student at your normal campus. For example,
you will not be permitted to just come and go from the
vessel as you choose, or to go into any part of the
vessel as you choose, or to stay "home" on
any particular day. But we feel that the few minor regulations
you will be expected to conform to and the few number
of duties expected of you will be greatly eclipsed by
the benefits and experiences you will attain as a result
of your participation. In fact, many previous visiting
students enjoy the duties they are asked to perform
and request a greater participation in maintenance work
or even just observing different operations.
Daily
At-Sea Routine
Basically, your daily at-sea routine is an 8 AM to 5
PM day Monday through Saturday (depending on your own
academic program). Here is how it looks (times in 24-hour
clock):
0630
- 0745 Breakfast
0800 - 1130 Academic Program
1130 - 1230 Lunch
1230 - 1330 Formation & Safety Drills (Master's
Hour)
1330 - 1600 Academic Program
1600 - 1645 Clean Sweep Down (daily cleaning assignment)
1730 - 1830 Dinner
1830 - 0800 Free Time
There are no ship requirements for you on Sunday sea
days except clean sweep down at 1630 hours. However,
your academic program may require something of you.
You have plenty of time to socialize and have free time
on Sundays and in port. There are plenty of leisure
time activities as well; students can soak up the sun,
rent movies, participate in a talent show and much more.
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