We finally made our way into the Puget Sound, many of us woke up in the morning for breakfast, and there was land on either side of us and it was beautiful. It was pretty chilly and there was complete cloud coverage overhead but the hills on either side of us were covered in trees.

 

Cadets smile for the camera with the Seattle skyline in the background. Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi

Cadets smile for the camera on the bridge wing with the Seattle skyline in the background. Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi

I made my way up to the bridge where the third deck division (3D) was navigating, executing collision avoidance, and at the helm on the arrival watch. Standing a watch where the ship is maneuvering in coastal or inland waters is the most desirable watch because there is much more action compared to maintaining a course in the open ocean, and not many can say they brought the Training Ship Golden Bear into Seattle. We were honored to have Cal Maritime graduate Stephen Moreno as the Puget Sound Pilot to guide us into Seattle. He was a 3D graduate of 1981 and this was his last week before retiring after 31 years of being a pilot. He said he volunteered to pilot for the Golden Bear because it felt right to end his career where it started. We are honored to have another alum help us along our voyage.

Master Pilot conference- Photo Credit Daniel Golinski 

 

After speaking with the Pilot, I made my way down to the fantail to watch Crowley’s tugboat Chief come alongside the ship, and the cadets made the Chief fast on Golden Bear's  bitts . I watched cadets begin to tie heaving lines to the stern lines in preparation for mooring. When we arrived alongside the dock, the heaving lines were cast over to the longshoremen, and the breast lines were paid out to be made fast on the bollards and cleats of Pier 66.

Cadets making tug line fast on stern with supervision of Third Mate Gio Boss

Crowley Chief and Foss Brynn donated tugs. Photo Credit- Sophie Scopazzi

Cadets preparing to secure mooring lines

Cadets taking in the view of Seattle 

3C cadet Maddy Bonaci- Photo Credit- Sophie Scopazzi

3C cadets Leeza Bremmermann and Maddy Bonaci- Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi 

Cadet passing line- Photo Credit- Sophie Scopazzi 

1C cadet Craig Johnson passing the line- Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi

 

 

Cadets pose with Seattle in the background- Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi 

1D Executive Officer David Kresge- Photo credit- Sophie Scopazzi 

Afterward, I went to the quarterdeck to watch Cadet 3rd mate Solomon Kaupu guide Cadet Bill Puttmann to lower the gangway with the crane. Solomon then ensured the gangway was in the best position on the dock and then another squad of cadets prepared the safety ”save all” net to be rigged to the gangway

Cadet third mate Solomon Kaupu setting bridle and bale for the gangway

Laying out the "save all" net

Tonight was the first alumni event where alumni had the opportunity to meet the ship in port, get a tour, and attend the evening reception which was catered by Chief Steward Orlando Torres as well as Head Chef Mark Rodriguez, our Chief Cook. It was an amazing event where alumni from many generations ( 1970’s to 2021 ) were able to come together and discuss their experiences at Cal Maritime over the years. This is especially fun when alum that were in the same division get together because you begin to see how deep the divisional pride goes.

 

3C cadet Caleb Vance and his family- Photo credit- Emily Robison

 

Cadets explaining bridge duties- Photo credit- Emily Robison

Photo credit- Emily Robison 

Commandant David Taliferro in dress whites- Photo credit- Emily Robison

Cadets Dean and Kuiper smile for the camera- Photo credit- Emily Robison

 

Photo credit- Emily Robison

Liberty (shore leave ) is granted once each division’s area of responsibility is inspected. We are hoping for good food and good times in Seattle. All the cadets are still on a work rotation, while there is always necessary work to be done while the ship is in port. Updates to come!