On June 17th, 2017, Bridget Quinn will graduate from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Kings Point is one of the five federal service academies. She will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science for Maritime Logistics and Security, along with her United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential to sail as Third Officer in the Deck Department. Her license is unlimited tonnage, all vessels, any oceans. Additionally, she will graduate with a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
During her time at Kings Point, Bridget will have successfully completed 171.5 total credit hours. She earned several endorsements towards her license, including Vessel Security Officer, Advanced Firefighting Training, Medical First Aid, and Fast Rescue Boat. She was a member of the women’s basketball and volleyball teams, and served as a volleyball team captain her senior year. In her senior year, she served as the Chairman of the Human Relations Department, in her Regimental Command position as Regimental Human Relations Officer (RHRO). As RHRO, she provided trainings to the regiment regarding Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment, Bystander Intervention, and Conflict Resolution.
To complete her degree, her Capstone project is a thesis paper discussing the need for a U.S. flag Merchant Marine, how to reverse the decline and restore the fleet, and the budgetary, security, defense, and logistical implications of the restoration efforts. The project is presented to an audience of industry leaders/experts, and Kings Point faculty and staff.
Bridget sailed for a total of 330 sea days on three different vessels in the U.S Merchant Marine. During her time at sea, she was an apprentice Third Officer, tasked with leadership, navigational, and safety responsibilities vital to the proper shipboard operations. From July to November of her freshman year she was on the SS Horizon Enterprise, a 1980 built D7 class merchant container ship. Her port calls were Tacoma, WA, Oakland, CA and Honolulu, HI. From March to June of 2015, she was on the M/V Mississippi Enterprise, a 1980 built coal bulker, which carried coal from the Mississippi River to Tampa, FL. From August to October of 2015, she was on the M/T Maersk Michigan, a 2003 built handy-size, pumproom tanker. Her ports of call were: Yokahama, JP, Sasebo, JP, Yokosuka, JP, Subic Bay, PI, Apra, Guam, and Deasan, Ulsan, and Yeosu, Rebublic of Korea. While onboard, she earned her Tankerman Person in Charge endorsement.
She interned at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, MD, where she collaborated with members of the project teams to better understand the shipyard operations and management. Bridget employed her prior knowledge of shipboard operations and assisted in undocking the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tampa from dry-dock.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy was ranked second to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by Business Insider in the median annual earnings of graduates from four-year colleges. Regardless of future salary, the Academy produces leaders of exemplary character, who will serve America’s service and defense needs in peace and war.
Upon graduation, Bridget plans to sail commercially as a Third Officer and work to upgrade her license as quickly as possible. Her goal is sit for her Chief Mate/Master exam by 2022.
Bridget is the daughter of Michael and Noreen Quinn of Lake Ariel. She accredits her love for adventure to her two parents and her sister, Katie. Bridget stated that “I would not be where I am today without the support of my family, they taught me to listen to my heart and find my passion, and I’ve found it, it’s on the sea”.
She graduated from Western Wayne High School in 2013, where she was actively involved as a student, athlete, and member of several clubs/committees. She extends a special thank you to Greg Myers for his support and assistance for the past several years. She’d also like to thank the school board for honoring her for this achievement and hopes to inspire future prospective Merchant Mariners in the area.
