Summer Sea Term

Summer Sea Term is one of the requirements for earning a U.S. Coast Guard license.

As part of the program, cadets - either deck or engine license candidates - must accrue at least 180 days at sea before they graduate. Time is earned during summer sea term journeys after freshman, sophomore, and junior years.

Through summer sea term, cadets travel around the world gaining vital hands-on experience in operating a ship and dealing with port traffic. Cadets sail aboard the Training Ship Empire State VII, a state of the art vessel that serves as a floating lab during the school year. 

The summer sea term itinerary changes every year to include ports around the U.S. East Coast and Europe. The ship usually leaves in May and returns to campus in August.

For updated information on the 2024 SST itinerary please click here.