Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets honored for rescue role

Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets and crew of the TS Kennedy were recently honored with the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) award for rescuing three people stranded at sea for 15 days during the academy’s summer sea semester. [Photo: Texas A&M University at Galveston]

Cadets from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy whose actions led to the rescue of three people from a stranded vessel in 2024 were recognized this week for their life-saving actions with an award from the Association for Rescue at Sea.

The association’s Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) award recognizes the captain, crew and cadets aboard the TS Kennedy during the academy’s annual summer sea semester in June 2024.

While traveling from Texas to Florida, cadet lookouts aboard the ship, which is enrolled in the Coast Guard’s AMVER program, spotted a disabled vessel and notified the captain, who initiated rescue protocols in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. The three people aboard the vessel had been stranded for 15 days. They were brought aboard the ship, where they received medical treatment before being transferred to the Coast Guard and reunited with their families.

Rear Adm. Michael E. Fossum, vice president of Texas A&M University, chief operating officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston and superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, called the recognition a tremendous honor.

“The rescue exemplifies the core values we instill in our cadets — seamanship, courage and a commitment to the maritime tradition of rendering aid to those in distress,” Fossum said. “We are incredibly proud of the crew and our cadets for their quick thinking and professionalism. The AMVER award is a well-deserved recognition of their exceptional humanitarian effort.”

The award was presented Tuesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., during a ceremony with members of the Association for Rescue at Sea.

Members of the TS Kennedy crew were present at the ceremony, including Chief Officer Peter Guggina and 2nd Officer Andrew Essenburgh, along with Cassia Bomer Galvao, associate professor of maritime business, Texas A&M Maritime Academy Deputy Superintendent Allan Post and Fossum.