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 VI, a 565-foot, steam-powered vessel that serves as a floating lab during the school year.
The cruise itinerary changes every year to include ports around the U.S. East Coast and Europe. The ship usually leaves the Monday after May commencement and returns to campus in August.
Summer Sea Term Update
May 9, 2023
The College has been informed that the sea trials and delivery schedule for TS Empire State VII will be further delayed, thereby impacting the start of Summer Sea Term (SST). With this further delay, the risk to September 2023, January 2024, and some May 2024 graduates has reached a point where the College needs to implement a contingency plan to get First Class cadets sufficient sea days to sit for license exams and graduate. As such, SUNY Maritime will be sending those impacted First Class cadets to Texas to participate in Texas's SST until Empire State VII is available for training.
Those First Class cadets in this category have already been notified. Depending on the sea time needed and the anticipated graduation date, cadets will join the Texas Cruise on either May 15, or May 30. Upon delivery of the Empire State VII, the College will arrange for those cadets on the Texas cruise to transfer from the Texas School ship to the Empire State VII in a port to be determined. The College realizes this is an inconvenience, but the goal is to get cadets the days needed to sit for their license and graduate. If cadets who have been notified choose not to take this opportunity to accrue the required sea time, they will risk not being eligible to sit for license and graduate.
There will be no additional transportation costs for students traveling to Texas. More details about transportation and billing will be provided at a later date.
Second and Third Class cadets should continue to monitor their emails for details regarding SST.