A group of Sea Cadets headed out on open water again on Thursday after spending time in Alpena.
Sea cadets ages 13 through 17 on board are receiving experience with shipboard and Naval training and researching shipwrecks, sink holes and ancient forests.
The U.S. Navel Sea Cadet Division’s mission with this program is to “educate and instill a desire to learn about our environment and the Great Lakes … by giving cadets the tools, training and mentoring…” to do so.
Captain of the Pride of Michigan, Luke Clyburn said the former Navy vessel that is now being used for training runs two programs, the Sea Cadet, which is for 13 to 17 year olds, and the Navy League for 10 to 12 year olds. The on-board training lasts 10-days, but started as early as the winter for prior education.
The program was federally chartered by Congress in 1962 as a nonprofit youth organization. In 1974, the law was amended to incorporate female participants, the USNSCC website said.
Clyburn said the entire purpose of the program is to develop maritime interests within the American youth. Cadets on board come from all over the U.S. but is overall operated by the Great Lakes.
“The history of this part of the world is so unique that people don't really know about it,” Clyburn said.
There are about 25 people on the ship – all consisting of volunteers such as the cadets, officers, Captain Clyburn, and some of the cadet’s parents working on board. Most of them come from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Gavin Prusakiewicc from Elmont said it hasn’t been too bad being away from home for long periods of time because his father is an officer operating the ship with him.
Binnie Dziengowski from Royal Oak said his parents work on deck and in the kitchen so being a way from home on the Great Lakes doesn’t affect him much.
Clyburn said with the cadets learning numerous skills they could go into the Navy or Coast Guard at the rate they earn as a cadet and make a higher pay grade.
The Great Lakes Division U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps has created 14 films revolving around the history and research within the Great Lakes that the Pride of Michigan has taken part in. Clyburn said they have found underwater forests with wood almost 7,000 years old in Lake Huron.
“…with teaching scuba diving, they (cadets) get to see the shipwrecks,” he said. “But the history of this part of the world goes way beyond the shipwrecks, and right here in Thunder Bay, you've got evidence of that pre culture.”
The 15 cadets on board offers more eyes to scan large areas versus the capability of a sonar, Clyburn said. This reveals more opportunities for advancements in research.
Prusakiewicc said his personal goal is to achieve his deepest dive. So far, he has seen the depths of 70 feet, but was excited for his 120 feet dive on Thursday before departing from Alpena.
“Scuba diving is really fun … it feels like you’re in space,” he said.
Besides venturing into the water with scuba diving, cadets are taught and given the responsibility to operate the ship. This includes steering the boat to navigate, engine operations and shiphandling.
Dziengowski said he has learned a lot about ships and has received experience to further his knowledge and better prepare him for making smarter choices in the future.
“We've got a number of our cadets from past years are out running … 1000-foot freighters,” Clyburn said. “They’re engineers or [working in] an engine room, they’re steering -- so the program has paid off not only for military, but just putting young people into the maritime industry.”
“I've been very happy to work with them and see the results of it and feel like it's very much worthwhile.”
What makes this training so valuable? Teamwork, Clyburn said.
“They're learning that if they don't work as a team, it doesn't work,” he said.
“We've traveled over the years enough miles [that we] have gone around the world four times. And you do that with discipline. You do that with learning to get along with [one another]…”
The ship has made its way to Alpena due to its relationship with NOAA. Clyburn said it has been great to work with the organization and return to Alpena’s docks because of the resources available and the experienced marine archaeologists that live here.
Due to COVID-19, not only has the program lost cadets – previously averaging about 30 – the program has also seen a depletion of experienced scuba divers. Clyburn said their weeklong stay in Alpena has been to focus on training the cadets in becoming professional divers.
Beyond Alpena, Clyburn said they are exploring a research project into Lake St. Clair.
About 100 years ago a city by the name of Belvedere was drowned by Lake St. Claire. Now, the Pride of Michigan is seeking to learn more about the history of the ancient people that lived there, Clyburn said. Cadets on board will be participating in that project as well.