In rough waters and heavy snow, a crew of budding professional mariners at the helm of the 565-ft., 17,000-ton Empire State VI prepared for docking at the Alfred A. Olivet Pier on the campus of the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College in Throggs Neck, NY. Meanwhile, seasoned mariners monitor high-tech radar display systems that enhance safety and navigation in inclement weather and other conditions that reduce visibility. Some of them coordinate their tasks with partners who are busy operating electronic charting systems and evaluating the precise, up-to-the-minute data they generate. While the description above has the flavor and feel of a ship at sea, don’t be fooled.
