William McCarthy
Saturday, May 19, 2007


SUNY Maritime College remains deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected death of Cadet Billy McCarthy on the Training Ship Empire State VI early Wednesday morning. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers continue to be with the McCarthy family during this most difficult time.
We also know this is a difficult time for Billy’s shipmates and friends, and their families. Once it was known that no more could be done for Billy aboard the ship, arrangements were made to quickly return him to his family. The ship was diverted to the closest suitable port, Morehead City, North Carolina. When the ship arrived at the Morehead City anchorage Wednesday afternoon, Billy was transported ashore with the assistance of the Coast Guard and was accompanied by Admiral Craine, Peter Vecchio, his swimming coach, and two students, one of whom is a cousin and the other a close friend since childhood. While the others returned to New York the next day, Admiral Craine remained behind to accompany Billy home to his parents Friday evening.

On board the training ship, following Wednesday morning’s formation and while steaming to Morehead City, Captain Smith and Admiral Craine assembled the cadets, by class, to talk with them about what had happened. Arrangements were also made to have three counselors from the College meet the ship in Morehead City. Two of the counselors went aboard the ship to offer assistance, and the third remained ashore to be with and accompany the two cadets back to New York. The College counselors remained with the ship as it continued on to its original destination, Charleston, South Carolina, where it was met by a Coast Guard chaplain. Back in New York, as soon as news of Billy’s passing reached the campus, the College chaplain, Father Moynihan, the College Provost, Dr. Hoffman, and Mrs. Craine went to be with the family. Father Moynihan will join the ship on Saturday following Billy’s wake and will remain with the ship for the remainder of the Summer Sea Term.

While the exact cause of Billy’s death will not be known until all the toxicology reports come back, the medical examiner was able to share with us that, from his initial examination, there is no evidence whatsoever of any disease that would cause us to be concerned about the health of our cadets. Please know that the safety and well-being of all aboard the ship are the primary focus of all we do. We take great care to insure that the ship’s environment is a safe and healthy one. Further, prior to each deployment, the ship is inspected and the crew certified by the Coast Guard to ensure the safety of all aboard.

On behalf of the entire Maritime College family, our deepest condolences and sympathy go out to the McCarthy family.




**So sad. It was determined that he had a brain anyeurismChat Icon