Last week, if you were driving along route 175 in Penobscot, you might have seen MMA Ocean Studies research interns Jacob Allison, Hannah Mellor, and Ocean Studies professors Kerry Whittaker and Sarah O'Malley on Mill Creek marsh. What were they up to? The team is part of a three-year process ...of monitoring marsh vegetation at the site. This year, they conducted baseline testing. Over the next two years, the site will undergo a tidal flow restoration with the replacement of a road culvert. The restoration project will take into account future sea level rise and reduce the risk of flooding due to storm surge. Funding for this large project comes from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and is led by the town of Penobscot and Ciona Ulbrich of Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT). Our Ocean Studies team has been supported to conduct the vegetation monitoring! It was a hot but productive week; we designed a sampling area with high-precision GPS and identified marsh vegetation including a vast array of grasses, sedges, and rushes common to both salt and freshwater wetland habitat. We had a lot of fun and are excited to monitor the future influence of restoration at this site!

#HandsOnEducation #OceanStudies #mainemaritime #InTheField #STEM #research #MakeADifference

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) and Bath Iron Works (BIW) have partnered for more than 25 years to provide BIW employees with the opportunity to earn a Maine Maritime Academy education—specifically, an Associate of Science degree in Ship Design or Ship Production. Today, we welcome the latest class ...of apprentices to our Castine campus for an orientation to MMA and the many services available to them as students of the Academy.

These BIW employee-students will also complete thousands of hours of hands-on training at the BIW shipyard in specialized fields such as welding or pipefitting. This rigorous training produces highly skilled professionals with excellent income potential. In addition to their degree, they will earn an Apprenticeship Certificate from the State of Maine.

BIW apprentices earn while they learn and gain the pride that comes with building ships for the United States Navy.

Interested in getting paid while earning a free education and learning a skilled trade?

Learn more at
https://www.gdbiw.com/careers/programs/apprenticeship-programs/

#MaritimeNextGen #ForgingTheFleet #TradesMatter #BuildWithPurpose #MMATrades #DefenseWorkforce #WorkforceReady #MaritimeIndustrialBase #Marinetrades #Manufacturing #mainemaritime

MMA Sailing wins the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta!

On August 2, Maine Maritime Academy participated in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta aboard WIZARD, a 1930 Herreshoff Fisher Island 31. WIZARD won the coveted Joel White Trophy for the first place "plank on frame" boat, among a field of ...nearly 100 traditionally built yachts, finishing at the top of the competitive Vintage B Class.

According to Head Sailing Coach Pat DiLalla, “The Egg Reach Regatta is considered the crown jewel of wooden yacht racing in the United States and attracts over 100 classic and vintage yachts annually.”

The team was led by sailing coach Delaney Brown at the helm and guided to victory by the tactics of President Craig Johnson. The sails were trimmed by sailing coach Sharon Seymour-Johnson and the bow was run by sophomore Henry Strawbridge. The crew was rounded out by alumnus Tom Conlogue and local community members Peter and Jillian Galloway.

Describing the race, coach DiLalla said, “The start was downwind and the magnificent fleet of meticulously maintained boats set their spinnakers in a fading northerly. WIZARD fell behind initially as the competition went high and found more breeze to the north. But as the fleet prospered from the last of the morning breeze, WIZARD was positioned to capitalize on the incoming afternoon sea breeze. The crew waited anxiously for the wind to fill as the competition looked to be slipping away.”

Coach DiLalla added, “Eventually, the first southerly zephyrs appeared on the water and made their way toward WIZARD.
The wind reached her first and the nearly 100-year-old boat came to life and started to regain what was lost in the first part of the race. Then that magical thing happened that every sailor hopes for in a race: WIZARD had her own breeze all to herself. The crew capitalized on the conditions and merrily romped past the entire fleet into first place. By the time the rest of the fleet got to the wind, WIZARD was long gone.”

Only 10 days to go! We’re counting down to check in on August 17 as Regimental Preparatory Training (RPT) kicks off. Get ready to start your journey!

#MaineMaritime #RPT #RegimentOfMidshipmen

This summer Maine Maritime Academy has hosted the Harvey Gamage three times, giving tours and presentations to the students sailing aboard. Today, we hosted the final group for the summer. Looking forward to seeing the Harvey Gamage and all the students again next summer!

A one-week ...sailing adventure aboard the historic schooner Harvey Gamage was offered to all 8th graders and high school students in Maine. Through The Marine Learning Project at Wiscasset Middle High School, students dove into maritime history, marine science, and oceanic exploration while experiencing life at sea. The SEAfaring summer sailing camp provided a blend of hands-on learning and personal growth—all while charting a course toward future opportunities in Maine’s maritime industries.

#HarveyGamage #MaritimeEducation #HandsOnLearning #MaineMaritime #YouthSailing #ChartYourCourse #TallShipExperience #SchoonerLife #LifeAtSea #HistoricVessels #SailingAdventure