Questions about sea year

[airbornedaddy]

So....sea year isn't looking great. My question is...what happens to the plebes and 2nd year mids if there is not a resolution by June? Do they just go home and work on the "sea year projects?" Do they get to do internships or possibly attend military schools like Airborne? My DS has done well...worked hard...and has enjoyed it as much as plebe can...but I think he was looking forward to getting away and exploring the world a little. Any thoughts from you veteran grads and parents who went through the stand down?

 

[kpmom2013]

KP survived the last sea year stand down and will survive this one too. No, they cannot just go home and work on sea projects because all (except for a required book report) involve answering questions, drawing diagrams, and performing other tasks on whatever ship they are on. Yes, they can spend some of sea year (usually second sailing) doing their internship. I do not know if they can spend part of sea year doing military training as that is usually done during the few weeks they have off during the summer. Your DS is understandably upset at not having a smooth transition to a "normal" sea year, but things will work out and he will get his sea days in. Hang in there.

 

[cmakin]

KP survived the last sea year stand down and will survive this one too. No, they cannot just go home and work on sea projects because all (except for a required book report) involve answering questions, drawing diagrams, and performing other tasks on whatever ship they are on. Yes, they can spend some of sea year (usually second sailing) doing their internship. I do not know if they can spend part of sea year doing military training as that is usually done during the few weeks they have off during the summer. Your DS is understandably upset at not having a smooth transition to a "normal" sea year, but things will work out and he will get his sea days in. Hang in there.

Licensing requirements include a certain number of days at sea.

 

[jaglvr]

My DS is a senior at Texas Maritime. They have to have 180 sea days to test for license. They nixed his summer cruise between soph and junior years thanks to Covid...now has to do it after he "technically" graduates this summer to qualify. They will figure out a way to get the time in. Unlike USMMA, the maritime schools do their sea days every summer, not during the school term unless someone opts for a commercial cruise and adds an extra semester to school.

 

[Boymomof3]

My DS is a senior at Texas Maritime. They have to have 180 sea days to test for license. They nixed his summer cruise between soph and junior years thanks to Covid...now has to do it after he "technically" graduates this summer to qualify. They will figure out a way to get the time in. Unlike USMMA, the maritime schools do their sea days every summer, not during the school term unless someone opts for a commercial cruise and adds an extra semester to school.

@jaglvr - Thanks for info. Do you mind me asking how your DS chose Texas Maritime? I know it’s off topic - so maybe I could ask via message? My son, a soph., wants to attend a Maritime school (Deck License). We are starting to look at them all…. We are out of state so cost is a big consideration….

 

[cmakin]

My DS is a senior at Texas Maritime. They have to have 180 sea days to test for license. They nixed his summer cruise between soph and junior years thanks to Covid...now has to do it after he "technically" graduates this summer to qualify. They will figure out a way to get the time in. Unlike USMMA, the maritime schools do their sea days every summer, not during the school term unless someone opts for a commercial cruise and adds an extra semester to school.

I don't have the CFRs handy, but I do believe that schoolships like TAMUG require a lot less days for licensing than Cadet shipping. For the life of me, I have never understood why.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

My DS is a senior at Texas Maritime. They have to have 180 sea days to test for license. They nixed his summer cruise between soph and junior years thanks to Covid...now has to do it after he "technically" graduates this summer to qualify. They will figure out a way to get the time in. Unlike USMMA, the maritime schools do their sea days every summer, not during the school term unless someone opts for a commercial cruise and adds an extra semester to school.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy schedules the annual training ship cruise in the winter (Jan & Feb) not in the summer.

 

[jaglvr]

MA Maritime must also do in the summer because last summer my DS used the Kennedy and MA took their cruise TO Galveston and then A&M took it back up at the end of the summer.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

Believe it's MARAD that makes the determination. I know they tried to get a waiver after summer 2020 but no go.

I believe that USCG determines the licensing requirements not MARAD. all are the same for the license...but different academies make a plan with the USCG, who reviews said plan and approves it. Academies vary in what they put into thier plan. I belive KP traditionally has required more sea days for thier cadets. Also, training ships get more credit regarding the definition of a day (regular merchant ship time 24 hrs = 1 day, on a dedicated Training Ship 24hr = 1.5 days).

 

[cmakin]

I believe that USCG determines the licensing requirements not MARAD. all are the same for the license...but different academies make a plan with the USCG, who reviews said plan and approves it. Academies vary in what they put into thier plan. I belive KP traditionally has required more sea days for thier cadets. Also, training ships get more credit regarding the definition of a day (regular merchant ship time 24 hrs = 1 day, on a dedicated Training Ship 24hr = 1.5 days).

And I have never understood that. To me, I learned far more practical as a Cadet than I think I would have on a schoolship. And I can say this because I used to survey the TEXAS CLIPPER for many years. . .

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

And I have never understood that. To me, I learned far more practical as a Cadet than I think I would have on a schoolship. And I can say this because I used to survey the TEXAS CLIPPER for many years. . .

Yes, arguments can be made both ways. Texas Clipper was special.

 

[cmakin]

Yes, arguments can be made both ways. Texas Clipper was special.

Oh, I know. . . talk about "old school". . .

 

[deepdraft1]

Yes, arguments can be made both ways. Texas Clipper was special.

They sure can.. and the TEXAS CLIPPER was special.. Talk about a 'blast from the past'.. She was the old American Export Lines EXCAMBION.. She's an artificial reef off Brownsville Texas now..

Oh, I know. . . talk about "old school". . .

@cmakin, here's an 'old school' picture for ya.. It's putting a training ship boat in the water with the 70 ton jumbo boom while riding at anchor in Acapulco Bay. I was running the jumbo vang guys for that evolution. You haven't experienced real seamanship unless you've sailed on ships with 'gear'.. I guess a similar thing can be said for the engineers.. you haven't experienced real marine engineering unless you've been shipmates with a steam plant.. As an engineering classmate of mine once said.. 'Steam engines are for SHIPS and diesel engines are for TRUCKS.'

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

MA Maritime must also do in the summer because last summer my DS used the Kennedy and MA took their cruise TO Galveston and then A&M took it back up at the end of the summer.

True, that was an exception due to COVID Virus. This year MMA is back on a winter cruise schedule. They also do a short mini cruse from Buzzards Bay to NYC/East Coast during the year. Often cadets from other schools are onboard to make up Seatime. I participated in a winter cruise as a training officer and marine consultant. There were several KP recent grads doing time for USNR-SSO credit onboard. A new multi purpose training ship is under construction.

 

[Hatchet]

@jaglvr - Thanks for info. Do you mind me asking how your DS chose Texas Maritime? I know it’s off topic - so maybe I could ask via message? My son, a soph., wants to attend a Maritime school (Deck License). We are starting to look at them all…. We are out of state so cost is a big consideration….

I would recommend Massachusetts Maritime. I received a $10,000/year grant to help offset the cost of out of state. Maine Maritime has a wide variety of majors to choose from and one of my teachers (MES 1&2) used to be a professor there. She loves that school.

 

[jaglvr]

@jaglvr - Thanks for info. Do you mind me asking how your DS chose Texas Maritime? I know it’s off topic - so maybe I could ask via message? My son, a soph., wants to attend a Maritime school (Deck License). We are starting to look at them all…. We are out of state so cost is a big consideration….

Did message but for others…
He loved the fact that it was a small school but still part of main campus unlike other A&M campuses. Plus going to school at the beach has its perks. He does not miss the snow and we love getting his sunset photos. He originally went as a marine biology major. Turned out not the right fit and will graduate with a Marine Transportation major and minor in Marine Administration.
I am sure most of the maritime schools are similar…you WILL know your teachers and felliw classmates because the small size.

 

[Zinc4]

So....sea year isn't looking great. My question is...what happens to the plebes and 2nd year mids if there is not a resolution by June? Do they just go home and work on the "sea year projects?" Do they get to do internships or possibly attend military schools like Airborne? My DS has done well...worked hard...and has enjoyed it as much as plebe can...but I think he was looking forward to getting away and exploring the world a little. Any thoughts from you veteran grads and parents who went through the stand down

The Kings Point Sentry – Turning "verba" into "acta" on behalf of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

www.kingspointsentry.com

 

[Boymomof3]

I would recommend Massachusetts Maritime. I received a $10,000/year grant to help offset the cost of out of state. Maine Maritime has a wide variety of majors to choose from and one of my teachers (MES 1&2) used to be a professor there. She loves that school.

Thank you for the feedback! The OOS tuition is definitely something we will need to consider - nice to hear they helped you with that! In April, we are going to have a “Zoom” call w/ an industry expert to learn more about the options. If I remember correctly, Maine was high on his list… We are looking forward to learning more!

 

[jaglvr]

Thank you for the feedback! The OOS tuition is definitely something we will need to consider - nice to hear they helped you with that! In April, we are going to have a “Zoom” call w/ an industry expert to learn more about the options. If I remember correctly, Maine was high on his list… We are looking forward to learning more!

For Texas, if he would choose license option, kids got instate tuition which made it affordable for us. DS says they may be doing away with that perk but worth looking into.

 

[Boymomof3]

For Texas, if he would choose license option, kids got instate tuition which made it affordable for us. DS says they may be doing away with that perk but worth looking into.

@jaglvr - wow, that is quite an opportunity. I had no idea! That’s why I love these threads - we learn so much. Yep - that’s exactly what he wants to do. We’ll definitely be looking into it.