Day 10 At 5:00pm today TSSOM was located at 28.30N by 073.28W as we continue on our way south. The water is bluer, and the mood onboard is positive as the weather and humidity both increase.  The deck watches last night got the chance to view a lightning storm lighting up the sky off the […] The post Day 10 | Passing Florida appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

As the training ship continues southward, approximately 31 degrees north by 71 degrees west, the ship’s cadets and crew are starting to settle into their at-sea routine. From driving on the bridge to lounging on the fantail, everyone onboard is both learning and relaxing. The post Day 9 | Sea Day appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

The Training ship passed by Mass Maritime this morning as it exited the Cape Code Cannel.  The ship is now on its way southward, next stop Texas! Everyone on board wanted to take a second to say, “Happy Mother’s Day!” to all the mothers out there who have sons and daughters sailing far from home.  […] The post Day 8 | Happy Mothers Day! appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Today, the Training ship departed Portland on its way to Galveston Texas, to pick up the remaining Texas Cadets.  Lifting anchor started with a bit of a tangle when the Anchor flukes brought up a nest of old fishing gear off the bottom, but with the help of the pilot boat, the anchor was cleared. […] The post Day 7 | Departure from Portland, Maine appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Day 6 This morning, the training ship departed its Portland, ME berth and traveled a few miles over to an anchorage.  Once anchored, the ship conducted both fire and abandon ship drills with the USCG present to observe our ability to handle these emergency situations. Part of these drills includes raising and lowering the lifeboats. Cadets got […] The post Day 6 | Anchorage appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Day 5 Work continues onboard with loading the last of the stores.  Today, cadets also participated in both abandon ship drills and fire drills.  These drills are conducted to build familiarity with their assigned roles during emergency situations.  We are also welcoming a few cadets and staff from Texas A&M on board.  They will be […] The post Day 5 | Drills appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Today, the training ship conducted a fire drill involving the Portland Fire Department.  Cadets and crew disembarked the vessel while the onshore fire department boarded via their ladder truck.  This exercise was conducted not only to practice for an in-port emergency evacuation, but also to have the ship’s crew and the Portland firefighters gain experience […] The post Day 4 | In port fire drill appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Day three started early with the loading of food and other supplies on board. Cadets, under the supervision of the ship’s crew, worked together to load approximately 5,000 boxes of food in a single morning. In addition, vital supplies such as medical stores were also transported onboard and properly stowed. These provisions form the core […] The post Day 3 | Stores Load appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Day two aboard the STATE OF MAINE is already a strong reminder that every successful voyage begins long before the ship leaves the pier. While some students are still settling into routines and shipboard life, others are hard at work ensuring that critical systems are tested, verified, and ready for sea. Today, Alpha Company took […] The post Day 2 | Preparing the Ship, One Hose at a Time appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

Summer Sea Term 2026 has officially begun! Students and crew boarded in Portland, Maine today—some traveling by bus from Castine, Maine, while others arrived directly in Portland. Alpha started watch today, while others participated in ship tours, attended safety briefings, and began settling into their bunks. The post Day 1 | Boarding Day in Portland appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.

The STATE OF MAINE is scheduled to sail south at 3:00 p.m. from her anchorage in Portland Harbor as the crew begins the first leg of Summer Sea Term, bound for Galveston, Texas. A group will gather at Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth to wish her and all aboard fair winds and following seas […] The post Ship Departure Livestream and Watch Party appeared first on TSSOM Training Cruise Blog.