On June 14, the midshipmen departed Annapolis with Squad Bravo (NSA Annapolis), aboard YP 687. While deployed, the U.S. midshipmen rotated duties with the Spaniards - from officer of the deck, conning officer, navigator, plotting and communications, to line handling, housekeeping and even meal preparation.

Under the supervision of Lieutenant Christopher Causee, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Kyle Riggin and three enlisted personnel, the group was led by Midshipman 1st Class Patrick Snow as they traveled across the Chesapeake Bay, along the Eastern Shore, and eventually entered the challenging New York City harbor, where they rendered honors to the Statue of Liberty. They continued through the busy East River and entered Long Island Sound toward Rhode Island; a 500 mile transit.

The midshipmen were forced to adapt quickly in order to communicate effectively, and navigate safely.

‘‘The transit, especially through New York, brought a lot of navigational and seamanship challenges for the midshipmen,” said Causee. ‘‘The Spanish midshipmen were very knowledgeable with navigation and divisional tactics (DIVTACS), which working with our U.S. midshipmen side by side, really enhanced our overall training.”

Snow said that at first, it was hard trying to communicate with the Spanish. ‘‘We had some communication errors in the beginning, but over time, they started learning English better, and we started adapting to what they knew. Some U.S. midshipmen acted as translators.”

‘‘My Spanish is better than most, so I was a mediator between them and our leadership”, said Midshipman 2nd Class Peter McLeod.

Spanish Midshipman 2nd Class Carlos Diago, who has done cruises aboard a Spanish aircraft carrier and a landing craft, described his trip. ‘‘They [US Midshipmen] really treated me well, and my communication improved a lot; they helped me to converse.”

This was only the first cruise for Midshipman 3rd Class Robert VanWinter, who stated ‘‘all the theoretical stuff that you learn in class definitely becomes more practical when you’re on a YP cruise.”

‘‘They [Spanish midshipmen] said that they’re out to sea every other week, so they get that hands-on experience that’s so important,” Snow added.

Diago argued that YP cruises are the best way to prepare for the fleet. ‘‘All year long, they don’t get the chance to exercise their classroom training like this.”

McLeod said that they have been accommodating the Spanish. ‘‘We took them to Annapolis and showed them around. We hope to get them to D.C. or NYC.”

Diago, who was excited when approaching NYC harbor, said that he enjoyed visiting different US cities, and that being close to the Statue of Liberty is a privilege for anyone.