After spending the past year in the classroom, it feels amazing to finally be out at sea. I didn’t really know what to expect when I first stepped onto the Kennedy, but I was relieved to find that everything we learned in class actually connects to what we’re doing out here. Seeing it all in action has made things click in a way that lectures alone couldn’t.

I was honestly surprised by how much the lifeboat and bridge simulators back on campus helped. At the time, it was hard to imagine those scenarios ever feeling real, but when I took the helm for the first time, it felt natural. All that practice paid off.

Being on board has made me more confident, not just in my technical skills, but also in working as part of a team. Every day brings something new to learn, and even the small challenges have been opportunities to grow.

I look forward to continuing my learning aboard the Kennedy and can’t wait to be a junior to pass everything I’ve learned along to the next class of students.

MIDM Liam Jacobsen
Marine Transportation Operations