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 Cadet First Assistant Engineer aboard the Kennedy over winter break to jump-start ship familiarization.

Maine Maritime cadets and faculty will travel to Texas on two chartered aircraft the morning of Monday, May 5, and board the Kennedy that afternoon. While the ship won’t be departing port until May 18, MMA students will begin lifeboat training, ship familiarization, cleaning duties, standing watch, and their classes aboard.

Settling into a routine will require strong leadership. Our upper-class 2/C midshipmen, along with the regimental wedge and ship rate student leaders, will take the lead in guiding our 4/C midshipmen—ensuring they learn how to operate and live safely aboard the vessel, both at sea and in port.

While we eagerly await delivery of our new training vessel, we’re very excited to tap into the Texan ‘can-do’ spirit and provide a reciprocally great cruise experience for them next year on our NSMV, the TS State of Maine.