Say goodbye to the Kings Pointer

DD and Recent 2011 Grads comments

Some comments that came to me from Grads:

<< DO THEY (MARAD) NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MERCHANT MARINE?!?!?!
THEY ARE THE FREAKING MARITIME ADMINISTRATION FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!! >>

<< Oh, right I forgot…they have absolutely NO credentials to actually be holding those positions and were appointed by someone obviously ignorant of the entire service and industry. >>

<< I don’t even know what to say…How can we have so much money for the other Academy’s football teams, but we can’t save our training ship? >>

<< Are they (MARAD) dismantling USMMA as an Academy? >>

Thank you Jasperdog...I will forward your comments to DD. These Grads are :confused: and totally frustrated with what has happen this fall to their Academy...so disappointed in what MARAD "seems" to be doing.
 
One Parent's opinion

While losing the King's Pointer seems like a slap in the face, and a bit like taking away one of my daughter's playthings, I guess it makes sense while Mallory pier is being reworked.

My daughter and I visited TAMU-Galveston in 2009, just after they received the Cape Gibson. Evidently she is a "hangar queen" and hasn't put out to sea yet. So I guess we're doing a favor for the Aggies.

MARAD has cancelled the latest repair solicitation for the Cape Gibson.

I AM completely stunned by the lack of leadership at MARAD in most other matters.
 
The Kings Pointer was rarely used for training midshipmen. It was mostly used by GMATS for training NOAA students and others. This can be verified by checking the records for the last ten years which is one of the actions done by the GAO. KP midshipmen could make up short sea days on the KP but they didn't really learn anything because they mostly just slept aboard to satisfy the sea day rules. Some training was done but usually static and no ship handling at all. The Liberator has been determined to be a better training platform and another ship like her may be necessary. The USMMA doesn't even have the staff to fully crew such a large vessel. It is time to spend limited government resources wisely and not on excessive fuel, maintenance, and personnel costs. Static short sea days can indeed be made up by boating midshipmen to the Empire State across the way for berthing.
 
jjohnson55 said:
The Kings Pointer has arrived at her new home in Galveston Texas, and the mids at Texas A&M are happy to have her. Their training ship had been a permanent fixture at the dock.

http://www.guidrynews.com/story.aspx?id=1000041050
Click to expand...

I know that the amount of cadets at TAMUG in the license program is fairly small, but I wonder if there will be enough space available on the KINGS POINTER to allow the vessel to be used on the yearly cruises.
 
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