MMA students set sail on training trip

CASTINE – To a chorus of hoots and whistles from friends, family and other well-wishers, the Maine Maritime Academy training vessel State of Maine eased away from the academy’s dock Friday for the start of the annual training cruise.

The ship, carrying 215 students and 52 staff and crew, will travel almost 10,000 miles during the two-month cruise taking students to ports in Tampa, Mexico, Bermuda and Puerto Rico.

There were smiles onshore, and a few tears as parents waved goodbye to the students who lined the rails of the 500-foot vessel.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Charles Bucklin of Northeast Harbor, whose son, Michael, a freshman, was setting out on his first cruise. “It’s a great experience for him to have the ability to go off on a ship like this.”

“I’m very excited for him,” added Charles Bucklin’s wife, Martha Bucklin. “But I’m going to miss him.”

Parents and friends said their goodbyes Thursday night before the students boarded the ship. Although visitors were allowed on the vessel during the week while students and crew prepared to sail, no visitors were permitted on board Friday morning for security reasons, according to MMA spokeswoman Janice Zenter. Since Sept. 11, the academy has increased security measures on board the vessel and has provided regular training for both the permanent crew members and for the students.

Though parents admitted some concern watching their children depart, they were relieved that the ship was not heading anywhere near troubled waters and grateful for the security training the students have received.

“You’re always concerned about safety,” said Kathryn Veilleux of Somesville, whose son Marc was sailing on his first cruise Friday. “But it seems to me that they’ve worked hard to prepare them well for what to look for. I’m glad MMA has done that for them.”

Although the ship will not be open for public tours while in port, the academy has arranged some tours for local students in Puerto Rico to highlight maritime training and career opportunities. The MMA board of trustees recently announced that it would increase recruiting activity in Puerto Rico.

The ship’s visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico, coincides with the spring meeting of the Ships Operations Cooperative Program, a maritime organization formed to share resources and the application of technology to improve aspects of ship operations. MMA is a member of the program.

A reception will be held for dignitaries in San Juan, including Sila Calderon, governor of Puerto Rico.

Students on the cruise run all operations on the ship with older students supervising the younger ones, all under the eye of the professional crew. The cruise – which students take in their first and third years at the academy – provides required sea time for U.S. Coast Guard licenses as third mate or third assistant engineer. Students also ship out on commercial vessels at the end of their second year at the college.

“Follow the Voyage,” the academy’s online ship-tracking and interactive Web site, will again be coordinated by students and staff. Now in its second year, the site offers an interactive tracking chart of the cruise and provides links to teaching and educational materials for students of all ages. The site address is www.mma.edu.