The first few days underway have already taught me so much about life at sea. Before cruise started, I expected everything to feel extremely strict and intense right away. Instead, there has been a balance between discipline and adjustment while everyone settles into shipboard life. Even with that adjustment period, one thing has been constant: drills, drills and more drills.

At first, the drills felt long, especially while waiting at muster stations, but I quickly realized how important they are. Without practicing emergency procedures over and over, I do not think I would feel prepared for a real emergency. The drills also became more enjoyable once I got to know the people around me. Having friends at my muster station made the experience feel less stressful and more like teamwork.

As a first-year engineering cadet, daywork has been one of the biggest surprises so far. Before cruise, I assumed engineering problems would have straightforward solutions, but I have learned that troubleshooting often takes creativity and collaboration. Sometimes my division will try several different solutions to an AVO (work order) before returning to the original plan. Other times, we spend the day cleaning equipment like grease traps or observing senior cadets and licensed engineers work through more advanced repairs.

One thing I did not expect was how much trust is placed in cadets. Work orders are assigned to us, and we are expected to help solve real problems on the ship. Some jobs take only a few minutes, while others can last multiple days. I have learned that engineering is not always about finding the fastest answer. It is about working together, thinking critically and staying consistent.

Being underway has honestly made me really happy. I enjoy staying busy, constantly moving and always having something to work on. Food tastes better, sleep feels easier, and every accomplishment feels more rewarding at sea. Looking back now, I can already see how my classes and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) training prepared me for this experience. Beyond technical knowledge, they helped build the consistency, grit and work ethic needed to succeed underway.

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.