So far, the most memorable part of this experience has been standing night watch. There’s something incredibly peaceful and almost surreal about being out on the open ocean after dark. The calm of the water paired with the vastness of the star-filled sky creates a sense of stillness and wonder that’s hard to describe and […]

After spending the past year in the classroom, it feels amazing to finally be out at sea. I didn’t really know what to expect when I first stepped onto the Kennedy, but I was relieved to find that everything we learned in class actually connects to what we’re doing out here. Seeing it all in […]

Though I’m a sophomore on my freshman cruise, this experience has already become one of the most meaningful parts of my time at the Academy. There’s something about being out at sea that brings people together in a way that’s hard to describe. I’ve enjoyed the strong sense of community and camaraderie that’s grown among […]

After nearly two weeks of preparation and training in port, cadets and staff aboard the TS Kennedy are ready to set sail from Galveston, Texas as part of Summer Sea Term 2025. Since arriving on May 5, the crew has been hard at work conducting drills, stowing supplies, and getting the ship ready for departure. […]

Getting adjusted to the ship, but slowly settling in. We have been organizing and cleaning up the utilities for the journey ahead. The first few days have been filled with walkthroughs and ship familiarization. The juniors have started showing the freshmen the expectations of shipboard living. It has been an interesting process of learning and […]

On May 4th we hosted the NAC Championship game for Men’s Lacrosse.  A rematch from 2023, against SUNY Delhi we came from behind and won 14-12. Winning the NAC, lead to a delay on our arrival to the ship, but a campus wide collaboration worked hard to ensure we had the opportunity to play in […]

It’s raining today in Galveston, where the TS Kennedy is tied to the pier. Currently, the ship is buzzing with Maine cadets as they begin to find their way around. Texas A&M cadets are still ashore in their academic semester, so MMA 2/C and 4/C are working hard to prepare the vessel for the next […]

The TS Kennedy is tentatively scheduled to depart Galveston, Texas, on May 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) to begin its voyage. Please join us in wishing the crew a successful journey, either in person or via the livestream. The livestream will begin at approximately 9:45 a.m. and will include a few prerecorded interviews with […]

Monday’s travel was the culmination of weeks of planning that involved faculty, staff, and student leadership. In all, 222 cadets and 12 staff were picked up from four locations and driven by bus to Portland Jetport. From Portland, two charter planes carried the group to Houston Hobby Airport, where buses were again used to complete […]

Today’s Summer Sea Term student leadership highlight is Jacob Nowalsky ’26. Midshipman Nowalsky is from Port Republic, NJ, and is also a member of the Coast Guard AUP program. 🔹 What are you looking forward to this summer? I’m most looking forward to going overseas again. The only other time I’ve traveled abroad was during […]

Preparations for this summer’s training cruise are well underway—and our student leadership is stepping up. Today, we’re highlighting William Sherrill, our Cadet Master and the highest-ranking student officer aboard the ship. ⸻ 🔹 What are you looking forward to this summer? I’m looking forward to working with cadets from @texasmaritime. This summer presents a unique […]

The Commandant’s Staff at Maine Maritime Academy is looking forward to this summer’s joint sea term (SST25) with Texas A&M Maritime aboard their ship, the TS Kennedy. The Texas team has brought great energy and has been tremendously helpful in the preparation process—beginning with hosting our Cadet Master, Cadet Chief Engineer, Cadet Chief Mate, and […]