Professional environments and technology are constantly changing. We offer the following resources to engage your curiosity and attention.
You are encouraged to recommend a professional article your shipmates may find interesting. Forward the URL to alumni@mma.edu.
HELLO!!Class reunions, Homecoming — these are just a few of the annual events organized by the Alumni Relations Office with the help of alumni.
Check out upcoming Alumni activities of interest.
HELLO!!
The MMA community is saddened by the recent passing of Capt. Paul Jacobs, class of 1958. An MMA Outstanding Alumnus, Jacobs was the inaugural recipient of the MMA Alumni Association Humanitarian Award in 2018. The Humanitarian Award recognizes MMA alumni who perform exceptional or heroic actions resulting in the preservation of life or enriching the welfare of humanity on a local, national or international level, in keeping with the highest traditions of Maine Maritime Academy. This award recognized Jacobs for his epic leadership and compassion when captain of the USS Kirk (DD-1087) during the fall of Saigon in 1975 that impacted the lives of more than 30,000 refugees, servicemen, and civilians. Since the declassification of the mission, the US Navy produced The Lucky Few, a documentary that retells the epic saga of Jacobs and the crew of the Kirk.
Watch an MMA video, Passage to Freedom, 2018, produced by Billy Sims of the USS Kirk and crew’s dramatic rescue effort.
Other tributes include:
Fair winds and following seas, Captain Jacobs.
HELLO!!
The MMA Waterfront and Marine Science Departments answered the call to two significant maritime events that happened over the holiday break.
Photo: Billy R. Sims
HELLO!!Spring 2021 plans have been taking shape. We have the following news to share regarding health, safety, the spring academic calendar, spring courses, reporting dates and other information on the upcoming semester.
MMA began Spring 2021 classes remotely on Monday, January 11 and remote instruction continued through Friday, January 22. The week of January 25 was used as a transition period for students to return to Castine and there were no classes held during that time. Face-to-face instruction began on Monday, February 1.
Faculty and staff are focusing on the best ways to deliver a successful academic experience while also prioritizing the health and safety of our community.
Planning is underway for Fall 2021 academic year. Still playing catchup due to COVID-19, the proposed schedule is to commence classes in mid-August, complete academics prior to Thanksgiving, and conduct a makeup cruise between Thanksgiving-to-Christmas timeframe. Homecoming 2021 is scheduled for the weekend of September 10-12, 2021. More details to follow as they become available.
We are very interested to learn how alumni are being affected by the pandemic. Share your story and images for inclusion in Mariner magazine “Class Notes” by sending an email to alumni@mma.edu.
HELLO!!Marking the start of a new era in US maritime education, TOTE Services, LLC and Philly Shipyard, Inc. recently cut steel for the first National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard. View the steel cutting ceremony here.
The purpose-built, state-of-the-art diesel electric NSMVs are being built to provide world-class training at America’s state maritime academies and will also will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
The US Congress has approved $390 million to fund construction of a fourth National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), which will be assigned to the Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Texas A&M University at Galveston.
The new NSMV is the fourth in a series of five, with the State University of New York Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and Maine Maritime Academy receiving the first three. Philly Shipyard holds the contract for the five-ship deal.
HELLO!!
