suzannegra

Here is a link to the 2009 bell ringing. It should start tomorrow sometime. (for those new parents, the midshipmen ring the bell when they pass their USCG exams)

http://powerlink.powerstream.net/003/02417/live1.asx

MMAMom2011

Any timeframe for this? I keep tuning in for a livefeed of a still bell. Still very exciting though!! Am thinking of you 09 Moms & Dads....

Jamzmom

Mine was the one in the kilt. Who's kid was in the toga get up & the other one dressed like a giant banana?

zonker

Congrats to each of these great kids, on their accomplishment !
Ringing that bell... just has to be.... WONDERFUL !

MG2013Mom

I have 4 years to go so I am a newbie. Could someone fill me in on the story behing this? Thanks and congrats to all who are ringing the bell and those who were at home holding thier breath and being supportive.

kp2001

I'm not sure of the actual origin of this tradition; however, at Kings Point the ringing of the bell is to signify the completion of the course of study at Kings Point. This is accomplished by passing the Coast Guard licensing exams and so when the results are posted everyone runs to the board and looks for their score. Once they read their passing scores they run out to the Oval and ring the bell like there is no tomorrow. It's one of the greatest feelings you ever have at KP. Things that come close are graduation and recognition.

The best idea I could come up with is this:
In the days of engine order telegraphs a bell was rung to signify engine orders. I think one bell signified "all stop" meaning the voyage was complete.

Deepdraft might have a better idea as to how it all started. Personally I wanted to break that thing because I was so tired of hearing it every morning for four years, ha!

Jamzmom

I know one Mid that rang the international code for "Ship has run aground". Funny how I think I adore that particular Mid with the great knees. I know another who took a baseball bat to it.

I am left in amazement at these fine young folks who have overcome so much for this day.

KPFootballDAD

For those who missed the live webcam, here's a link for some of the bell ringing festivities.

YouTube - USMMA 2009 Bell Ringing - First 5 minutes

Congratulations to the class of 2009

k314sig09

This was sent out to the Deckies:

I have the statistics for license exams for the past 23 years.

Here is where the class of 2009 stands.

Class of 2009 First time pass rate 82%. The last time that pass rate was achieved by a class was in 1996. In the 23 years of data there have only been three times that a class has exceeded that percentage. 1993, 1992, & 1991

Rules of the Road First time pass rate was 96%. The last time that pass rate was achieved by a class was in 1996. In the 23 years of data there have only been two times that a class has exceeded that percentage. 1990 & 1989.

Navigation Combined (Terrestrial Nav., Navigation Plot and Celestial Nav. combined) First time pass rate was 87% . The last time that pass rate was achieved by a class was in 1995. In the 23 years of data that pass rate was only exceeded twice. 1987 & 1986.

deepdraft1

Back in the day “bells” were rung at ½ hour intervals of the watch. “Eight Bells” marked the end of the watch. I would venture to say, and it’s just a guess here, that when the tradition started the bell was struck eight times.. two rings, slight pause, two rings, slight pause, two rings, slight pause, two rings.. then it’s “watch below”..

Or for the engineers out there.. “ring it off and put it on the jacking gear”

Jamzmom

Bell Ringing Video is up:

USMMA Parents Page

atlsmith

k314sig09, what action should a midshipman take who wants to be part of the 82% who pass on their first try? Any ideas on what it takes to be in the 18% who don't? Statistics on pass rate for 2nd try?

Jamzmom

pfff. He might be a while answering atlsmith as he got stuck in SC for a loooong while due to crazy travel disasters.

deepsea

"k314sig09, what action should a midshipman take who wants to be part of the 82% who pass on their first try? Any ideas on what it takes to be in the 18% who don't? Statistics on pass rate for 2nd try?"

Participate in a Waterfront activity- 100% pass rate for Waterfront 1st Classmen.

k314sig09

""k314sig09, what action should a midshipman take who wants to be part of the 82% who pass on their first try? Any ideas on what it takes to be in the 18% who don't? Statistics on pass rate for 2nd try?"

Participate in a Waterfront activity- 100% pass rate for Waterfront 1st Classmen. "

On the same note I would say join the wrestling team... 100% pass rate for all first class wrestlers...

Seriously though - study the Murphy books for Deck Gen/Nav Gen/Deck Saftey. Make sure you study the correct parts (aka not the Master/CM parts) Take the Lapware tests for those three and Rules as well. My practice test scores jumped from low 70's to low 90's after reading the Murphy books.
Rules - take Capt. Hard's class
For me, the three navigation tests were the easiest... it is the stuff you've been learning for 4 years (unlike Deck Gen or Deck Saftey). Tab your Bowditch, and pay attention in the license prep courses to Capt. Tisch and Cdr Hunt. They both know what they are talking about and know how to teach it (although they may be difficult at times). If you REALLY have problems, go see Lt. Klonis, but only if you want to spend 5 hours relearning something (I never did).

The key thing is RELAX!!! Rules (after having Capt. Hard) is a breeze, study hard for the gens/saftey and relax when it comes to the nav... I didn't study any Nav in the week prior or week during the exams, and I got 100% on all three. Read the question, and do them slowly and methodically, and you will do fine.