As the STATE OF MAINE arrived in Charleston last week, we had the opportunity to catch up with Charleston Harbor Pilot Capt. Jay Stewart ’00 as he prepared to board the vessel offshore and guide her safely into port.

For Capt. Stewart, the visit was especially meaningful. The last new ...STATE OF MAINE entered service during his freshman year, and now, more than two decades later, he’s welcoming another purpose-built training ship that will help prepare the next generation of mariners.

“MMA made me who I am,” Stewart reflects in this video, sharing how his time in Castine helped launch a career that brought him back home to one of the most respected pilotage positions in South Carolina.

He also offers some advice for today’s cadets: keep your head up, take in as much as you can, and make the most of every opportunity.

#MaineMaritime #StateOfMaine #SST26 #MaritimeEducation #MarinersForever #CastineToCharleston

The STATE OF MAINE is back underway after a memorable port call in Charleston, SC as Summer Sea Term continues.

Charleston provided a welcome pause in the voyage, giving the crew time to explore the city’s rich history, enjoy warm weather, and take in some time along the sandy beaches ...before returning to sea. It was a valuable opportunity to recharge before continuing northbound.

Now, the focus shifts back to training at sea as cadets continue building experience, teamwork, and confidence underway.

Next stop: Saint John’s, Newfoundland.

#MaineMaritime #SummerSeaTerm #StateOfMaine #MaritimeTraining #SST26 #FutureMariners #TrainingAtSea #FairWindsAndFollowingSeas #CareerPath #TSSOM

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