In Port: Charleston, Summer Sea Term

While in Charleston, cadets had the opportunity to tour the USNS Robert F. Kennedy, gaining firsthand exposure to shipboard operations within the Military Sealift Command.

Special thanks to alumni Will Scarlett '19, First Engineer, and ...David Swan '92, Chief Engineer, for leading the tour, sharing their career experiences at sea, and offering insight into life in MSC engineering roles. Opportunities like this help cadets better understand the professional paths available after graduation.

Cadets also enjoyed harbor boat tours of Charleston, generously hosted by alumni and supporters, including Jay Stewart '00, Rupert Stalvey '18, and Sam Smoak (parent of Preston ’26). Their time, stories, and encouragement meant a great deal to the cadets and reflect the strength of the MMA network wherever the ship calls.

Moments like these are what define Summer Sea Term—hands-on experience, professional mentorship, and a global community of mariners invested in the next generation.

#MaineMaritimeAcademy #SummerSeaTerm #USNavy #MSC #MaritimeCareers #FutureMariners #CharlestonSC #MarineEngineering #MaritimeEducation #SeaTerm #CadetLife

The STATE OF MAINE will depart Charleston, SC, tomorrow, June 7, at 10:45 a.m. (ET), continuing its voyage to Saint John’s, NL—the next stop on its journey.

Join us as we send the crew off with fair winds and following seas as they begin the next leg of their adventure. A livestream ...will be available starting at 10:45 a.m. (ET) to follow the departure.

LIvestream and Summer Sea Term Blog:
https://mainemaritime.edu/tssom-training-cruise-blog/2026-summer/ship-departure-charleston-sc-livestream/

#mainemaritime #SST26 #HandsOnLearning #WorkAtSea #NSMV #StateOfMaine #CareerPath

STATE OF MAINE arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, this morning after a scenic transit into Charleston Harbor.

As the ship passed Fort Sumter, STATE OF MAINE rendered a salute while cadets stood watch on the bridge and took their turns at the helm. Guiding the ship into port was ...Charleston Harbor Pilot and Maine Maritime Academy alumnus Jay Stewart, bringing a special MMA connection to the arrival.

Summer Sea Term allows cadets to put their classroom knowledge into practice through hands-on training at sea. From bridge watchstanding and ship handling to daily vessel operations, the experience helps prepare them for careers across the maritime industry.

#MaineMaritime #TSSOM #StateOfMaine #CharlestonSC #MaritimeEducation #CareerPath #MarinersForever

2/C Claire MacDonald (L) and 2/C Brooke Foran are pictured on the bridge wing of STATE OF MAINE as the Tankship PELICAN STATE passes in the background. Claire and Brooke both cadet shipped aboard PELICAN STATE last summer and were excited to see their former vessel again. Onboard PELICAN STATE are ...several Maine Maritime Academy alumni, including Second Mate Liam Griffith, Class of 2021.

#MaineMaritime #Maritime #AtSea #CadetLife #SST26 #MaritimeCareers #STATEOFMAINE #PELICANSTATE #MarinersForever #MaritimeTradition #CareerPath

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice continues to inspire the Maine Maritime Academy community and reminds us of the enduring values of duty, courage, and commitment.

This Memorial Day, we pause to reflect with ...gratitude and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms.

#MemorialDay #MaineMaritime #RespectHonorServe

With a flotilla of support surrounding the STATE OF MAINE, Summer Sea Term 2026 is officially underway from Galveston! ⚓️

Aboard the vessel are 493 student cadets continuing a tradition of hands-on maritime education, leadership, and global learning at sea. Thank you to everyone who ...joined along the waterfront and on the water to wish them a safe and successful voyage.

Next stop: Charleston, South Carolina.

#MaineMaritime #StateOfMaine #SummerSeaTerm #Galveston #MaritimeEducation #TrainingTheFuture #NSMV #SST26

The training ship STATE OF MAINE departs today from the Texas A&M Galveston campus as Summer Sea Term 2026 continues its voyage toward Charleston, South Carolina.

Join us live beginning at 9:30 a.m. (CDT) for departure coverage, waterfront views, and prerecorded student interviews as ...cadets, crew, alumni, and supporters send the ship off on the next leg of the journey.

Watch the livestream here:
https://mainemaritime.edu/tssom-training-cruise-blog/2026-summer/galveston-departure-livestream/

#Mainemaritime #StateOfMaine #SummerSeaTerm #TexasAMGalveston #MaritimeEducation #TAMUG

What a wonderful day aboard the STATE OF MAINE in Galveston! Thank you to all of the alumni, families, friends, and industry partners who joined us dockside to tour Maine Maritime Academy’s new training vessel and wish cadets and crew a safe and successful continuation of Summer Sea Term ...2026.

Among those visiting today were alumni Jake Merk ’15 and Alexandra Slotkin ’15, along with their colleagues and friends from ConocoPhillips. We also welcomed John Paulsen ’86 and Scott Frost ’97 with their families, as well as Coronado Hickman ’16 and Chelsea Shaw, wife of Josh Shaw ’12, and their children — along with many other MMA alumni and supporters throughout the day.

A special thank you to Texas A&M Maritime Academy for their hospitality during our stay in Galveston. Tomorrow, the STATE OF MAINE departs for Charleston, South Carolina, continuing an unforgettable Summer Sea Term voyage.

#Mainemaritime #SummerSeaTerm #TrainingShip #StateOfMaine #MaritimeEducation #Galveston #TexasMaritime #TAMUG

Honored to join today’s National Maritime Day celebration with the Port of Galveston, recognizing the dedication, sacrifice, and service of America’s merchant mariners.

Maine Maritime Academy President Craig Johnson ’91 spoke on the vital role merchant mariners play in supporting our... economy, national security, and global commerce — a mission that remains as important today as ever.

From energy and manufacturing to shipping and national defense, the maritime industry remains a critical driver of the U.S. economy. As momentum continues to build around strengthening America’s maritime workforce and expanding domestic maritime capabilities, we were proud to be part of today’s celebration honoring the people who keep global trade moving. ⚓️

#NationalMaritimeDay #MerchantMarine #MaritimeIndustry #PortOfGalveston #Mainemaritime #MaritimeEducation #JonesAct #USMerchantMarine

How does a conflict thousands of miles away impact Mainers at home? In a recent News Center Maine report, Capt. Andrew Lindey ’86 shared firsthand insight from nearly four decades at sea navigating the Strait of Hormuz and serving with the U.S. Military Sealift Command.

Now teaching at ...Maine Maritime Academy, Lindey is helping prepare the next generation of mariners to navigate an increasingly complex global industry — emphasizing communication, leadership, resilience, and adaptability in high-stakes environments.

Listen to the full “From Away to Here with Capt. Andrew Lindey” report from News Center Maine featuring Capt. Lindey’s perspective on global shipping, maritime security, and the human side of international conflict. - https://www.newscentermaine.com/video/news/nation-world/from-away-to-here-with-capt-andrew-lindey/97-1ca37036-21da-47fc-afca-07efa2035cb0

#MaineMaritime #MainersLead #MaritimeIndustry #MerchantMarine #OceanStudies #MaritimeEducation #CastineMaine #LeadershipAtSea #GlobalShipping #StraitOfHormuz #MaritimeSecurity #NewsCenterMaine #Maine #FutureMariners #MaritimeProfessionals