The experience of living at sea

Life at sea means being flexible with my time and facing different challenges. Nothing is perfect, and it is all about creative problem-solving while also being ready to adapt at a moment’s notice.

Both Freshman Cruise and Commercial Cruise helped me grow because every time you step onto a new vessel, you are constantly learning new things, working with all kinds of people and guiding others. As the 1E XO (Executive Officer), first-year cadets look up to you a lot, which is awesome, by the way.

Engineering is all about being flexible and problem-solving. Having rotations between watch, classroom time, daywork and special operations can be difficult to adjust to at first, but some things that keep me motivated are going to the gym, sitting on deck watching the sunrise and sunset, listening to music and watching movies.

I also enjoy building different types of relationships with people because back at the university, I do not always get the chance to interact with as many people as I would like.

I think one of the biggest challenges of being at sea is the FOMO you sometimes feel about what your friends are doing back home. At the same time, it is a nice reminder that you will have opportunities to do those activities when you are not sailing. 

Another challenge is making sure you are getting enough rest and having the physical and emotional strength to push through the cruise.

My biggest advice for future cadets going on cruise is that there will be fun days and days that could use improvement. Embrace all of it because the entire experience will teach you something, whether the days are good or bad.

— Cadet Parker Loden Mechanical Engineering, 1E Executive Officer (XO)

The responsibility of leading at sea

Life at sea is about respecting people and knowing your responsibilities, being personable and open to different ideas, and not being rude or dismissive toward others. Most importantly, it is about having the willingness to learn.

During my Freshman Cruise, I learned the importance of listening and being respectful to everyone, especially the seniors, while maintaining an open mind in every situation. I also learned not to take shortcuts on jobs because doing so only hurts me in the end.

On my commercial cruise (internship), I learned that your personality, teachability and eagerness to learn are more important than previous knowledge. I was told that as long as you are cool to be around, 75% of the position is already covered. 

I also learned to stay aware while working and to have a thorough understanding of what I am doing, why I am doing it, and the consequences that could come from my actions.

Both my Freshman Cruise and Commercial Cruise have taught me a lot about this experience. Being at sea is about guiding first-year cadets where they are supposed to be and teaching them the same way I was once guided during freshman year. Being the 2E XO has also kept me busy with routine and helped me settle into that flow state.

— Cadet Elijah Kadish, Mechanical Engineering, 2E Executive Officer (XO) 

Fair winds and calm seas…. 

Check back often and follow the voyage with our series that gives the latest news from Summer Sea Term! TSGB will travel to San Diego, CA; Papeete, Tahiti; Suva, Fiji; Honolulu, HI; and Los Angeles, CA, prior to returning to Vallejo on July 6.