06/02/2026
SST Blog #3
While fun and exciting, this is not just a pleasure cruise. It's a working voyage and classroom at sea. The cadets are aboard to test their knowledge and learn new hands-on skills.
Upon our departure from Galveston, we plowed through some nasty weather. The ship performed very well and while it was a slight speed bump on our trip, the students gained new experiences. They have a great appreciation for how to work on a moving deck. They dealt with limited visibility, topics about safety and navigation in foul weather. They learned that work doesn't stop and neither could they. It was great to see these mariners stand up to the challenge.
When we cleared the weather and offshore oil fields, we took a turn to the southeast towards the Yucatan Channel to complete our turn around Cuba. The deck cadets practiced their steering and navigation while the engineers managed power, fuel and water systems. They conducted walk-through inspections of the ship's high voltage system, then settled into their machinery rounds. This was a good long leg allowing everyone to familiarize themselves with a living ship.
The TS STATE OF MAINE then took a detour from the course to Charleston. We ducked back into the Gulf and spent three days training in the Tampa anchorage. Cadets on deck prepared the windlass then dropped and recovered both of the ship's anchors over and over again. Everyone got a chance at the different positions. They would operate the giant winch from the control stations, release the brake to drop the anchor and pay out chain and of course, they took turns giving the orders and supervising the operation. Meanwhile, the cadets on the Bridge stood at the engine controls and wheel while Seniors maneuvered the ship with Captain MacArthur providing a Master Class on ship handling to each and every one.
The goal of the Summer Sea Term is not just to go from one port to another. It is planned well in advance to provide these opportunities and experiences. Reading books and watching videos will only get these future deck and engineering officers so far. Hearing a mooring line tension up, seeing anchor chain rumble out of the hawsepipe and physically starting a huge generator on the TS STATE OF MAINE are all experiences that turn our cadets into the future leaders aboard their own ships.
Regards,
Capt. Don Vandelinder
