New York University comes to Palma

THE Empire State VI, a training ship from the State University of New York, was in Palma while cadets carried out sailing operations.
The troop ship of the United States Navy and training vessel of the United States Maritime Service is on its yearly 90-day summer training voyage, during which the cadets learn about navigation, transport, mechanics and weather, amongst other subjects.
This year’s voyage began on May 11 from Fort Schuyler (New York) and has visited Charleston (South Carolina), La Spezia (Italy) and Belfast (Ireland).
Having received a second group of students there it was due to head to Split in Croatia, but this destination was changed for Palma, from where it will head to Cadiz before ending the voyage on August 10 in New York.
There are 636 people on board, including crew, teachers and cadets aged between 18 and 23 of different nationalities.
Empire State VI is currently under the command of SUNY Maritime College alumnus Captain Richard S. Smith who is also the Commandant of Cadets at the Maritime College.
With 25 years of service to the Maritime College, the ship holds the record as the longest serving power-driven vessel ever used by the school, and is expected to remain in use through at least 2020.