USMMA Sea Year

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Ldu1010

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Jan 7, 2022
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Hello!

USMMA applicant over here and I don’t know much about sea year.

For anyone who’s been through Sea Year, would you mind sharing your experience? What did your day consist of and what were some of the highs and lows of your time? Also, how safe it? For females specifically, did you feel safe and respected?

Thanks! Any information is appreciated
 
Ldu1010 said:
Hello!

USMMA applicant over here and I don’t know much about sea year.

For anyone who’s been through Sea Year, would you mind sharing your experience? What did your day consist of and what were some of the highs and lows of your time? Also, how safe it? For females specifically, did you feel safe and respected?

Thanks! Any information is appreciated
Click to expand...
Hi!

I'm currently a second class female midshipman at the Merchant Marine Academy. I have completed all of my sea days and was a deck cadet on three ships. My day to day routine depended on what watch I was on. As a mate/deck cadet, you stand 4 hours of watch a day and can be on different watch schedules depending on what the chief mate puts you on. I usually stood the 08x12 or 12x16. If I was on the earlier watch, I'd get breakfast, go to watch, go to lunch, get ready for deck work, then work on deck for 4 hours (usually 1300-1700). I would then get cleaned up for dinner, eat, workout and then do projects for the rest of the night. If I was on the 12x16 the watch and deck work would just be flipped around in my schedule. If you are an engineer, you would work 0800-1200 in the engine room, then 1300-1645 in the engine room as well. Some highs were learning new things, meeting people from all over, seeing new places in the world, getting a sea project done, talking to family, etc. It's important to find the little things that brighten your day. Probably the main low would be missing my family and things going on at home such as birthdays, family get-togethers, missing friends, etc.
Being at sea obviously poses its risks, but I never felt unsafe. It was definitely outside of my comfort zone at first, but the academy would never put one of their midshipman in a setting that would be unsafe. I always felt safe and respected, but if you do not, it is important to talk to someone on the ship whether it is the captain, chief mate, chief engineer, or designated person ashore who handles these kinds of things. Hopefully you will have another female officer onboard who would be able to talk as well. In addition, the academy is enforcing midshipman go out with the same sex, so you will always have another female with you.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions about Kings Point!
 
Its been quite a while since my last sea year experience but I don't think it is too much different.

As an engine cadet on a diesel ship we were all day workers. Typically around 8-5, coffee time at 10 and 3 plus an hour and a half for lunch. Coffee time is sacrosanct. DO NOT under any circumstances cut in to either anyone elses, nor your own coffee break. I would do the duty rounds with the duty engineer every few days. We would do a round of the engine spaces around 8pm ish, the primary point of which was to make sure no alarms go off in the middle of the night. I would do my project in the evening.

On a steam ship it is a watch system like the deckies. I did both am and pm watches plus OT with an engineer for 12 hour days. On these ships I usually got days off to do my sea project.

I never sailed with a female cadet but I did have females slated to come on after me. The 1st was VERY concerned about making sure no one got out of hand. Before I got off he and I went through the rooms the girls were going to be in making sure there was nothing inappropriate left in them and that they could be properly secured both the doors and windows. A couple of my ships had female crew and I never heard nor saw anyone be disrespectful towards them.
 
Search usmma sea year on youtube. Many have captured their experiences and a video is worth a thousand pictures... or words.
 
serviceacademy23 said:
Hi!

I'm currently a second class female midshipman at the Merchant Marine Academy. I have completed all of my sea days and was a deck cadet on three ships. My day to day routine depended on what watch I was on. As a mate/deck cadet, you stand 4 hours of watch a day and can be on different watch schedules depending on what the chief mate puts you on. I usually stood the 08x12 or 12x16. If I was on the earlier watch, I'd get breakfast, go to watch, go to lunch, get ready for deck work, then work on deck for 4 hours (usually 1300-1700). I would then get cleaned up for dinner, eat, workout and then do projects for the rest of the night. If I was on the 12x16 the watch and deck work would just be flipped around in my schedule. If you are an engineer, you would work 0800-1200 in the engine room, then 1300-1645 in the engine room as well. Some highs were learning new things, meeting people from all over, seeing new places in the world, getting a sea project done, talking to family, etc. It's important to find the little things that brighten your day. Probably the main low would be missing my family and things going on at home such as birthdays, family get-togethers, missing friends, etc.
Being at sea obviously poses its risks, but I never felt unsafe. It was definitely outside of my comfort zone at first, but the academy would never put one of their midshipman in a setting that would be unsafe. I always felt safe and respected, but if you do not, it is important to talk to someone on the ship whether it is the captain, chief mate, chief engineer, or designated person ashore who handles these kinds of things. Hopefully you will have another female officer onboard who would be able to talk as well. In addition, the academy is enforcing midshipman go out with the same sex, so you will always have another female with you.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions about Kings Point!
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for all the details!! It really clarified a lot.

One question, during your plebe year, did you already start taking classes in your major or were they core classes?
 
KPEngineer said:
Its been quite a while since my last sea year experience but I don't think it is too much different.

As an engine cadet on a diesel ship we were all day workers. Typically around 8-5, coffee time at 10 and 3 plus an hour and a half for lunch. Coffee time is sacrosanct. DO NOT under any circumstances cut in to either anyone elses, nor your own coffee break. I would do the duty rounds with the duty engineer every few days. We would do a round of the engine spaces around 8pm ish, the primary point of which was to make sure no alarms go off in the middle of the night. I would do my project in the evening.

On a steam ship it is a watch system like the deckies. I did both am and pm watches plus OT with an engineer for 12 hour days. On these ships I usually got days off to do my sea project.

I never sailed with a female cadet but I did have females slated to come on after me. The 1st was VERY concerned about making sure no one got out of hand. Before I got off he and I went through the rooms the girls were going to be in making sure there was nothing inappropriate left in them and that they could be properly secured both the doors and windows. A couple of my ships had female crew and I never heard nor saw anyone be disrespectful towards them.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!

Haha thanks for the tip on the coffee
 
shiner said:
Search usmma sea year on youtube. Many have captured their experiences and a video is worth a thousand pictures... or words.
Click to expand...
Yes! I’ve watched some but just wanted more perspectives on it so I joined this platform
 
KPEngineer said:
Its been quite a while since my last sea year experience but I don't think it is too much different.

As an engine cadet on a diesel ship we were all day workers. Typically around 8-5, coffee time at 10 and 3 plus an hour and a half for lunch. Coffee time is sacrosanct. DO NOT under any circumstances cut in to either anyone elses, nor your own coffee break. I would do the duty rounds with the duty engineer every few days. We would do a round of the engine spaces around 8pm ish, the primary point of which was to make sure no alarms go off in the middle of the night. I would do my project in the evening.

On a steam ship it is a watch system like the deckies. I did both am and pm watches plus OT with an engineer for 12 hour days. On these ships I usually got days off to do my sea project.

I never sailed with a female cadet but I did have females slated to come on after me. The 1st was VERY concerned about making sure no one got out of hand. Before I got off he and I went through the rooms the girls were going to be in making sure there was nothing inappropriate left in them and that they could be properly secured both the doors and windows. A couple of my ships had female crew and I never heard nor saw anyone be disrespectful towards them.
Click to expand...
Similar to mine, except that I never sailed cadet on anything but steamships. On most of them, I would be assigned as a day worker, usually assisting the Day Third Assistant Engineer. On a couple of ships, where there was no Day Third, I pretty much assumed that roll, under the watchful eye of the 1st (also a day worker). On a couple of ships, I would stand a watch, usually the 4 to 8 morning with the Second Engineer, then work with the day workers until noon. Had the rest of the day to use as I pleased. Oddly enough, I don't recall investing much time on my Sea Project. . . Of course back then, there were lots of shipping companies, so I sailed on 6 ships during Sea Year.

I really can't address how it might be different for a female cadet. I have sailed with females in the crew, both as a cadet and post graduation. For the most part, my experience was that they were treated the same as any other member of the crew.
 
serviceacademy23 said:
Hi!

I'm currently a second class female midshipman at the Merchant Marine Academy. I have completed all of my sea days and was a deck cadet on three ships. My day to day routine depended on what watch I was on. As a mate/deck cadet, you stand 4 hours of watch a day and can be on different watch schedules depending on what the chief mate puts you on. I usually stood the 08x12 or 12x16. If I was on the earlier watch, I'd get breakfast, go to watch, go to lunch, get ready for deck work, then work on deck for 4 hours (usually 1300-1700). I would then get cleaned up for dinner, eat, workout and then do projects for the rest of the night. If I was on the 12x16 the watch and deck work would just be flipped around in my schedule. If you are an engineer, you would work 0800-1200 in the engine room, then 1300-1645 in the engine room as well.
Click to expand...
@Ldu1010 This looks to be a pretty typical underway schedule. If you’re ship is mooring or getting underway, as a cadet, you’ll be called out to participate and it very well could be outside your regular watch or work hours. What you might be tasked with doing during those evolutions will largely depend on your experience level. I’ve let 2nd sailing deck cadets conn my ship in traffic and even into an anchorage; under close supervision of course. When I was sailing Chief Mate, I would often let the more experienced cadets run the mooring or anchoring operation on the bow; again under supervision. You might find that you’ll be required to work in port too, although most ships tend to give cadets time off to go ashore.

My general advice.. bring a positive attitude, a willingness to work and a genuine interest in the maritime profession and you'll be fine.

KPEngineer said:
Clipper ships weren't still around back then?
Click to expand...
I'm curious; how big were the engine departments on those clippers?.. in round numbers.. 🤔
 
Ldu1010 said:
Thank you so much for all the details!! It really clarified a lot.

One question, during your plebe year, did you already start taking classes in your major or were they core classes?
Click to expand...
I can't speak for her, but I am currently a Plebe for the Class of 2025. Prior to going to INDOC, I was sent a form asking what major I would primarily be interested in, i.e. Engine or Deck. This decision sets up 1st trimester of Plebe year; if you list engine, you will most likely start with introductory engineering classes, and if you list deck, you will take classes pertaining to the deck major. Overall, everyone pretty much takes the same core classes like Physics/Chemistry, IME, INS, and Calculus, but more specific classes like Firefighting, First Aid, Self-Defense, and Basic Swim are put in different trimesters depending on your initial selection. The major selection is finalized prior to 2nd trimester, where the school will put you in major specific courses.

For myself, I chose Engine path prior to INDOC, and took courses like Intro to Marine Engineering (IME) and Intro to Nautical Science (INS) (1st trimester exposes students to both Engine and Deck). Now, going into 2nd Trimester and finalizing my major as Engine, I'm taking classes like Machine Shop and Welding. Deckies on the other hand, are now taking classes like Terrestrial Navigation.

I hope this helps!
 
KPEngineer25 said:
I can't speak for her, but I am currently a Plebe for the Class of 2025. Prior to going to INDOC, I was sent a form asking what major I would primarily be interested in, i.e. Engine or Deck. This decision sets up 1st trimester of Plebe year; if you list engine, you will most likely start with introductory engineering classes, and if you list deck, you will take classes pertaining to the deck major. Overall, everyone pretty much takes the same core classes like Physics/Chemistry, IME, INS, and Calculus, but more specific classes like Firefighting, First Aid, Self-Defense, and Basic Swim are put in different trimesters depending on your initial selection. The major selection is finalized prior to 2nd trimester, where the school will put you in major specific courses.

For myself, I chose Engine path prior to INDOC, and took courses like Intro to Marine Engineering (IME) and Intro to Nautical Science (INS) (1st trimester exposes students to both Engine and Deck). Now, going into 2nd Trimester and finalizing my major as Engine, I'm taking classes like Machine Shop and Welding. Deckies on the other hand, are now taking classes like Terrestrial Navigation.

I hope this helps!
Click to expand...
100% it helped, I appreciate it!

Got my acceptance letter last week, so I might just end up at kp :))
 
cmakin said:
Similar to mine, except that I never sailed cadet on anything but steamships. On most of them, I would be assigned as a day worker, usually assisting the Day Third Assistant Engineer. On a couple of ships, where there was no Day Third, I pretty much assumed that roll, under the watchful eye of the 1st (also a day worker). On a couple of ships, I would stand a watch, usually the 4 to 8 morning with the Second Engineer, then work with the day workers until noon. Had the rest of the day to use as I pleased. Oddly enough, I don't recall investing much time on my Sea Project. . . Of course back then, there were lots of shipping companies, so I sailed on 6 ships during Sea Year.

I really can't address how it might be different for a female cadet. I have sailed with females in the crew, both as a cadet and post graduation. For the most part, my experience was that they were treated the same as any other member of the crew.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!

What did you do on your free time? I keep thinking abt what I would do.... read and work out I guess haha
 
deepdraft1 said:
@Ldu1010 This looks to be a pretty typical underway schedule. If you’re ship is mooring or getting underway, as a cadet, you’ll be called out to participate and it very well could be outside your regular watch or work hours. What you might be tasked with doing during those evolutions will largely depend on your experience level. I’ve let 2nd sailing deck cadets conn my ship in traffic and even into an anchorage; under close supervision of course. When I was sailing Chief Mate, I would often let the more experienced cadets run the mooring or anchoring operation on the bow; again under supervision. You might find that you’ll be required to work in port too, although most ships tend to give cadets time off to go ashore.

My general advice.. bring a positive attitude, a willingness to work and a genuine interest in the maritime profession and you'll be fine.


I'm curious; how big were the engine departments on those clippers?.. in round numbers.. 🤔
Click to expand...
Thank you, that’s really good info and advice
 
Ldu1010 said:
Thank you so much!

What did you do on your free time? I keep thinking abt what I would do.... read and work out I guess haha
Click to expand...
When I sailed, I spent a LOT of time reading, often burning through a couple of books a week. Back then, there wasn't a lot of opportunity to watch TV, even running coastwise although we did have some video cassettes. As far as working out, as an engineer, I found that I got a fair amount of exercise just working.
 
cmakin said:
When I sailed, I spent a LOT of time reading, often burning through a couple of books a week. Back then, there wasn't a lot of opportunity to watch TV, even running coastwise although we did have some video cassettes. As far as working out, as an engineer, I found that I got a fair amount of exercise just working.
Click to expand...
Haha well that all sounds pretty darn good to me
 
Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew what trimesters were included in the Sea Year C-split? I plan on swimming at the Academy, and I know that the winter sports tend to fall under the C-split, but I cannot find which trimesters it is.
 
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