Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/778359
7 Above: Crowley's Cassandra Palma puts her experience gleaned from her sea year aboard the MT Pelican State (below) to use to ensure a smooth maintenance dry docking in Freeport, Grand Bahamas. Textbooks told Cassandra Palma about topping off fuel and vapor recovery. But when she used her own hands as a cadet to carry out the tasks aboard the Crowley-managed product tanker MT Pelican State, Palma's training as a cadet took off. Sailing as a cadet among a commercial vessel crew, Palma learned first-hand how to do the essential, everyday tasks as an officer on a ship, such as taking soundings tank by tank and learning proper deck maintenance. She learned how communication with the chief mate was crucial, and how safety was a core value for success. As a cadet at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., Palma tasted reality through the sea year program, which allows high-performing cadets to gain valuable experience working on U.S.-flagged commercial ships while studying at a maritime academy. Now 23, she turned the training into an officer's post on Crowley's product tanker MT Ohio. "Had I not been a cadet for Crowley, I wouldn't have felt confident becoming a third mate, even though my license said I was one," said Palma. "I got to be on the bow, dropping the anchor, calling out leads to the captain. I got to tie up the ship to the dock, learning how to troubleshoot along the way. I got to be in the cargo control room, topping off fuel and relaying orders to the guys on deck. I got to crude oil wash, strip tanks and disconnect cargo hoses." Story continued on page 8 Connections Winter 2017 Sea Year Experience Pays off for Cadets Crowley Aids the Next Generation of Merchant Mariners with Experience and Training Aboard its Vessels Story by Joy Kader Core Value: HIGH PERFORMANCE We are committed to providing cadets the best possible training and experiences as they prepare to join the U.S. Merchant Marine."