Mass. Maritime training ship could be called for hurricane relief

BUZZARDS BAY — As Hurricane Dorian was barreling toward the coast, the training ship Kennedy at Massachusetts Maritime Academy was put on alert that it might be activated to support the federal response to the storm.

To prepare the ship for possible deployment, the captain and crew began work assessing the condition of mechanical equipment and preparing supplies, academy President Rear Adm. Francis McDonald said.

The vice president of student services began to look for housing on shore for the 70 seniors who are slated to live on the training ship this semester, McDonald said.

In addition, the vice president of academic affairs has had some “juggling” to do as well, McDonald said. The academy uses the Kennedy for academic lab space, and arrangements will have to made to accommodate lab work if the ship is gone, he said.

The food vendor aboard the ship is also preparing and taking stock of available supplies and preparing staff to travel with the vessel if it is called, McDonald said.

The Kennedy arrived back on campus Thursday after a three-day mini-cruise to New York, McDonald said. The cruise helps foster team building between the freshman class, members of which recently graduated from a two-week orientation.

The academy learned that the ship might be deployed while on the cruise, McDonald said.

The last time the training ship was deployed was in the fall of 2017, when hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria hit Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico respectively, McDonald said.

Hurricane Dorian struck the northern Bahamas as a catastrophic Category 5 storm Sunday, its record 185 mph winds ripping off roofs, overturning cars and tearing down power lines as hundreds hunkered down in schools, churches and shelters, The Associated Press reported.