Texas A&M Maritime Academy

The TS LONE STAR STATE has departed Hanwha Philly Shipyard to begin her builder's sea trials. Capt. Wade Howell and a select crew are observing the shipyard team as the builder puts the ship through its paces. Over the next several days, the ship will test all the systems that make her operational and safe.

This includes evacuation and safety protocols, alongside engine, control, and hotel systems such as potable water, toilets, and HVAC. The ship will transit the Delaware River and anchor before proceeding to sea to conduct a series of offshore endurance runs at full speed. These trials include stress-testing the steering at full speed and executing a crash stop to determine the distance required to stop from full ahead, ensuring the machinery can handle the maneuver.

We wish the team the best of luck for a safe and smooth trial!

SST Blog #4:

As of the last update, the TS STATE OF MAINE had completed anchor training and was headed for a port call in Charleston, South Carolina. We were expecting some increased seas in a few days, but nothing like what we encountered.

Two days out, we crossed a storm front that produced the most intense lightning displays some of us have ever seen at sea. The announcement to clear the decks was made, and a few minutes later, we could hear the winds pick up to nearly 60 knots. The Training Bridge began to fill with cadets. At first, they were amazed at the storm. Then, after a few minutes, the conversations turned to ship handling in heavy weather, navigation, and meteorology. Questions were asked by the cadets that the extra faculty and crew were eager to answer. This led to one of the best learning sessions of the trip. These future officers are on their way to becoming seasoned mariners more and more each day.

Thursday morning was clear and beautiful for our arrival. The rails were manned in formal uniforms, and a salute was issued to Fort Sumter as it passed by. After our arrival, we reprovisioned the ship, sent the trash ashore, and the call for Liberty went out on the PA.

Now, after three days of rest, the ship has made its way to sea with the nearly 600 cadets, faculty, and crew looking forward to the passage north and St. John's, Newfoundland, next weekend.

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

Texas A&M Maritime Academy Summer Sea Term Updates!

From Capt. Don Vandelinder, Commandant of Cadets:

The TS STATE OF MAINE arrived at the Texas A&M University at Galveston on Sunday, May 17, and we immediately boarded 29 or our A&M Cadet Leaders along with 17 faculty and staff. Then, with the help of our gracious Maine hosts, we boarded another 181 Aggie Cadets the very next day! It was an exciting time for our cadets. They were meeting their new crewmates and exploring a new ship with the Summer Sea Term ahead of them

After several days of loading provisions and training equipment (including a lifeboat bound for the Maine Maritime Academy campus), we were able to show off our new summer home with over 500 guests during the Dock Party tours. It was a great time for the cadets, their parents and especially a special group of scholarship sponsors.

But ships were meant to go to sea, and we were eager to get started. The STATE OF MAINE pushed off the dock, and we slowly made our way down the Galveston ship channel surrounded by dozens of smaller boats filled with well-wishers. The weather at least temporarily cooperated. After we exchanged salutes with the Battleship Texas and said goodbye to the last of the chase boats, we made ready for some foul weather ahead. Under the teaching and supervision of the faculty and staff, the cadets secured their gear and cleared the decks. Just outside of Galveston, we powered through a dense storm front and saw winds just over 60 knots! These special-response vessels were built to safely travel the world. While she rolled a bit through the night, the STATE OF MAINE kept everyone safe. We enjoyed a cooler and breezy formation on the helideck this morning as we headed for the Yucatan Channel to circumnavigate the island of Cuba.

From Cadet Karson Ford, the Battalion 1 Commanding Officer, and his blog about the beginning of the voyage:

Since departing Galveston on May 23, we have been making our way through The Gulf and are now heading around Cuba on our way to an anchorage in Tampa, Florida. This is where all of classes are transformed into valuable hands-on experience. Departing Galveston, we sailed through a large squall, and with the help of the crew and cadets, we secured the decks and kept everyone safe.

I have been enjoying my time on the TSSOM, learning different operations, spending time with friends, and, most importantly, studying for licensing exams.

As a leader and mentor, I have found this to be one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but also one of the most rewarding. Cycling through the rotations has kept us on our toes, and no two days have been the same. I’m looking forward to what the rest of the summer brings and can’t wait to visit the different ports ahead.

Cadets from the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy embarked on their joint 2026 Summer Sea Term today! Whoop!

Over the summer, they'll develop many of the vital skills needed for their future careers in the maritime industry. Fair winds and following seas, cadets! 🌊 👍

Live from the waterfront! 🚢🎉

The 2026 Summer Sea Term Dock Party is in full swing! We’re celebrating cadets from Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy with live music, Texas BBQ, and tours of the TS STATE OF MAINE before their big departure to sea tomorrow!

Texas A&M University at Galveston will join the community in commemorating National Maritime Day on Friday, May 22 at the Port of Galveston.

Col. Michael E. Fossum, ’80, vice president of Texas A&M University, chief operating officer of the Galveston campus, and superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, will deliver the keynote address on the importance of maritime careers and workers. The free public event runs from 8:30 to 11:33 a.m. at Cruise Terminal 16, 1602 Harborside Drive, and features vessel tours, maritime booths, and a 10 a.m. commemoration ceremony.

The national observance of National Maritime Day, established by Congress in 1933, honors U.S. merchant mariners and the vital U.S. maritime industry, while remembering seafarers who have died.

Read more here: tx.ag/fFI5b68

We're having a Dock Party! 🎉 👍

The 2026 Summer Sea Term Dock Party kicks off Friday, May 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. Seafaring cadets from Texas A&M Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy will depart for their Summer Sea Term on Saturday, May 23. Come join us at the Dock Party and enjoy live music, Texas BBQ, Blue Bell Ice Cream, face painting, TS State of Maine tours, and much more! We hope to see you there!

Tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please keep in mind that all maritime operations are fluid and subject to change with little notice. Plan to be flexible and stay tuned to our social media pages for updates.

In anticipation of their Saturday, May 23 departure aboard the TS State of Maine (TSSOM), Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets are boarding the ship for their joint Summer Sea Term with Maine Maritime Academy!

The TSSOM arrived on Sunday, May 17. While aboard, cadets from both academies will forge lasting friendships while practicing hands-on skills that will prepare them for careers in the maritime industry.