maine maritime academy cruise 2023

Maine Maritime Academy

A college of engineering, management, science, and transportation, 2024 schooner bowdoin, arrival in st. johns, newfoundland.

We reached the port of St. Johns, Newfoundland at 0630 local time (-2.5GMT). The voyage has been a combination of motor sailing and a few excellent days of 9+kt sailing. Despite the motoring, we have kept our speed around an average of 5.5kts. We experienced heavy fog for most of the voyage, a sea state of 5-6ft occasionally up to 9′ with winds out of the east 15-20kts. A fairly weak low stalled ahead of us for a few days pumping easterly’s our way making Bowdoin work for Newfoundland.

The crew are all doing well and seem to be acclimating to the North Atlantic and its thick fog, stiff wind, and washing machine sea state. Morale is also good, which could be a symptom of the amazing meals and desserts we have been having. Or, like myself have become enamored with our lovely schooner Bowdoin as she dances over the waves with little effort. Either way life aboard remains good.

What have we been doing? Well sleeping, standing in the wet cold, eating, noon lessons – then repeat. We have covered the history of fishing on the Grand Banks, navigation lessons, engineering topics such as shipboard systems and conservation, and we learned about different ocean currents and how the water travels in rivers of the deep. Yes, you will find water from Greenland in the Gulf of Maine.

Post by: Captain Peacock

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MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY | 1 PLEASANT STREET, CASTINE, ME 04420 | 207-326-4311 | EMAIL: [email protected]

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OPEN DAILY 9:30 to 5

Lighthouse, Nature & Special Cruises

Tour the kennebec river and see up to 10 of maine’s most iconic lighthouses on one of our daily cruises – running mid-may through october..

Board Merrymeeting for an up-close look at some of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses and abundant wildlife. Cruise comfortably with plenty of space to move around the open upper deck and enclosed lower deck. All cruise fees include admission. In-person ticket sales end 20 minutes prior to departure; boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. Please plan your arrival accordingly.

Merrymeeting Cruise Schedule 2024

Daily Lighthouse & Nature Cruises at 12:00, 2:00, and 3:30 pm

1 Hour, Daily | Adults $40; 6 – 17 years, $21; under 6, $6

2 Hours, Mondays & Wednesdays | Adults, $47; 6 – 17 years, $27; under 6, $6

3 Hours, Tuesdays & Thursdays | Adults $53; 6 – 17 years, $30, under 6, $6

Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

Lighthouse & Nature Cruises are generously supported by Churchill Events

Lighthouse Lovers Cruise (4 hours)

Saturday 3:30 pm through August 26 Adults, $60; 6 – 17 years, $35; under 6, $6 Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

See up to 10 of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses: Doubling Point Light, Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island & Light, Pond Island & Light, Seguin Island & Light, Cuckolds Light, Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, and Hendricks Head Light.

The Bath Iron Works Story: By Land & Sea

Tours (2.5 hours) begin at 12:30 pm. May 20 – June 7: Monday, Wednesday, Friday June 5 – October 22: Monday – Friday Adults: $60; Children 17 & under: $37 Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

Experience the full Bath Iron Works package! The tour begins in the immersive exhibit BIW: Building America’s Navy where you’ll get a high-tech look at the people, processes, and ships of Bath Iron Works and discover why “Bath Built is Best Built.”  From there, you’ll board the trolley for a narrated ride past the yard. Your guide will detail the history of the yard and highlight key elements of the shipyard. Finally, the trolley will drop you off to board the museum’s cruise boat Merrymeetin g for a one hour cruise featuring a spectacular, close-up look at naval destroyers in the water.

With generous support from

Merrymeeting Bay Cruise (3 hours)

Select Sundays, 3:30 pm, through August 25 Adults, $53; 6 – 17 years, $30; under 6, $6 Members receive a 20% discount, register today ! The namesake of our cruise boat, Merrymeeting Bay is a unique confluence of six Maine rivers, all converging to form a truly rare ecosystem. Pass through the swirling eddies of Chops Point into the serenity of the bay, one of the best places in the state to view bald eagles and waterfowl.

Burnt Island Lighthouse Adventure (4 hours)

Select Sundays, 3:30 pm, through September 15 Adults, $70; 6 – 17 years, $40; under 6, $10 Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

Autumn Golden Hour Cruise (2 hours)

Monday – Thursday, 3:30 pm, September 30 – October 24 Adults, $47; 6 – 17 years, $27; under 6, $6 Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

See some of the Kennebec’s most beautiful lighthouses in the splendor of fall! During this autumn cruise you’ll see up to six lighthouses: Doubling Point Light, Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island Light, Pond Island Light, and Seguin Island Light.

Mini Mariner’s Cruise (30 minutes)

Select Tuesdays, 11:00 am Adults, $10; Under 17, $5 Members receive a 20% discount, register today !

These morning cruises will follow our monthly free Story Time with Splash the friendly sea monster. Board our cruise boat  Merrymeeting  to see Bath Iron Works and downtown Bath from the water, pass under the Sagadahoc and Carlton bridges, and keep your eyes peeled for ospreys, eagles, and maybe even a seal!

Where do the cruises go?

Select the image to enlarge or download a PDF

About Our Cruises & Frequently Asked Questions

Tickets are non-refundable, except in the event of a weather cancellation. Online ticket sales close at 5 am on the day of the cruise. Day-of cruise tickets must be purchased in person or by calling (207) 443-1316 x331. Merrymeeting  is a 56′ motor vessel with a covered lower deck and open upper deck. Cruises run in light rain and other moderate weather conditions. Cruises may be cancelled in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions or unmet minimum ticket sales, and cancellations are made by the Captain on the day of the cruise. If the Museum cancels a cruise, you will have the opportunity to reschedule or receive a refund.

Only service animals are allowed on board. Pets and support animals are restricted to the south end of campus and not permitted on cruises or in any building.

The temperature on the water can vary throughout the day. Please come prepared with extra layers. Access to the boat requires negotiating a ramp down to the float. Merrymeeting  is wheelchair accessible, but the two small bathrooms on board are not.

Passengers will remain on the boat for the length of the cruise. Merrymeeting’s professionally trained crew provides fascinating narration and a safe, comfortable cruise. We’re pleased to offer a snack bar onboard with beer, wine, soda and light snacks. Guests are welcome to bring aboard food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Specialty Cruises

Windjammer days cruise (6 hours).

June 26, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm A unique opportunity to be at sea right in the middle of Maine’s famous fleet of Windjammers! Cruise to Boothbay Harbor aboard the museum’s cruise boat Merrymeeting , explore the town, and then re-board for a close-up look at Maine’s Windjammer Fleet! Sponsored by Browne Trading.

Fireworks Cruise (2 hours)

July 4, 8 – 10 pm Cruise along the Kennebec River’s Long Reach and see Doubling Point Lighthouse, the historic Percy & Small Shipyard, and Bath’s colorful waterfront. Enjoy your favorite beverage and spectacular on-the-river views of the annual Heritage Days fireworks! Sponsored by Stone Cove Catering.

VISIT SECTION

• Hours, Fees & Directions
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Lighthouse & Nature Cruises

• The Bath Iron Works Story: By Land & Sea
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Exhibitions section, your ticket for: lighthouse & nature cruises.

On Campus Presentations

Maine Maritime Academy

PREVIEW: Sailing Prepare for First Matches of the 2023 Season

9/7/2023 9:00:00 AM

• Some notable finishes for the Mariners last season include placing fourth out of ten teams at the Shields Trophy and placing third out of ten teams at the Port of LA Harbor Cup.
• Notable returners who will be sailing for the Mariners are Nathan Hyde , Amelia Griffith , and Anna LaDue who all helped give the Mariners third at the Harvard Invite in 2022.
• Nalu Ho , Henri Richardsson , Pierson Deloe , Henry Currier , Ella Beauregard , and Courtney King are just a handful of impressive returners for the Mariners that helped them place third at the Port of LA Harbor Cup.

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Maine Maritime Academy training ship departs for summer cruise

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Cal State University recommends integrating Cal Maritime, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

I n order to preserve Cal Maritime’s nearly 100-year history in a time of declining enrollment, the California State University (CSU) announced a recommendation to integrate the Vallejo university with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

The integration — which would be complete by the start of the 2026-27 academic year — requires the approval of the CSU Board of Trustees. The board will be asked to act on the recommendation at its November meeting following information sessions at its July and September meetings.

CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Nathan Evans made the recommendation to Chancellor Mildred García.

“The integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly will benefit the students, faculty and staff of both institutions, as well as advance the broader mission of the CSU system by enhancing the quality, diversity and sustainability of the CSU’s academic programs and services statewide,” said Relyea and Evans in a CSU statement. “In addition, it will serve industry and workforce needs of the state of California and of the nation while also supporting U.S. economic and national security interests. We are confident in our recommendation.”

Garcia was also in favor of the integration.

“The recommended integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly is an innovative and vitally necessary strategy with benefits that will be felt throughout the CSU, the state of California and our nation,” said García. “It provides a long-term solution to Cal Maritime’s untenable fiscal circumstances, preserves its licensure-granting academic programs so key to the maritime industry and our state’s and nation’s economy and security, and leverages academic and operational synergies between the two universities that will benefit California’s diverse students, families and communities for generations.”

The only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast and one of only six state maritime academies in the U.S., Cal Maritime has experienced a 31 percent enrollment decline over the last seven years. The enrollment has gone from approximately 1,100 students in 2016-17 to just over 750 in 2023-24, according to the CSU statement. There are 81 members of faculty;  with 176 staff. The annual budget for the school is $53 million. The rising employment and operational costs have contributed to Cal Maritime’s fiscal crisis.

The proposal also comes after recent controversy. A Vallejo Times-Herald report in 2021 exposed decades-long claims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, homophobia, transphobia and racism on campus and during training cruises. Cal Maritime students and employees reported accusations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment aboard the 500-foot ship to officials at the Vallejo campus between 2019-2022.

In 2021 transgender student Sophia Scopazzi, a then senior who was part of the Gender Equity Committee, voiced concern over different treatment students received based on perceived gender.

Last summer Dumont began his tenure as interim president at Cal Maritime, taking over for Thomas A. Cropper who announced in November of 2022 that he would retire in August of 2023.

Since then the school has been recognized on multiple spots on the badge-eligible list of U.S. News and World Report’s list of 2024 Best Colleges. The college was recognized for top performances in academic reputation, cost of attendance and return on investment. The college scored No. 1 for Top Public Schools and ranked No. 2 out of 103 for Regional Colleges-West.

Additionally, Cal Maritime was included on Forbes’ list of  America’s Top Colleges 2023. Forbes’ annual list showcases 500 of the finest U.S. colleges, ranked using data on student success, return on investment and alumni influence.

Although CSU said in its statement that the challenges the school faces is nothing new, Cal Maritime has implemented several actions to reduce expenses and increase revenues.

“Cal Maritime has been part of Vallejo’s rich history and a source of pride for eight decades. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni have played an important role in the history of the state, the region and the nation,” said Cal Maritime Interim President Michael Dumont. “An integration with Cal Poly is an amazing opportunity to honor that legacy by preserving one of the nation’s premier maritime academies.”

Under the recommendation, Cal Maritime would retain its maritime focus within Cal Poly, with the integration of operations, resources and governance structure. Cal Maritime’s specialized degree programs, three of which lead to a Merchant Marine license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, would continue to be offered at the Vallejo campus. Both institutions would benefit from expanded academic offerings, research opportunities and facilities.

Cal Maritime’s students would become part of the Cal Poly student body and benefit from Cal Poly’s strong reputation as a comprehensive polytechnic institution and gain access to a broad range of academic facilities and student services.

“As I’ve reflected upon this new opportunity the CSU has asked Cal Poly to take on, I’ve recognized the value it provides both Cal Poly and Cal Maritime,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Both of our institutions share an innovative, hands-on, learn by doing approach and academic programming that is rooted in world-class engineering. I am optimistic and confident that we can leverage these and our other collective strengths to build upon and ensure our future success.”

Following the announcement by CSU, both State Senator Bill Dodd and U.S. Congressman John Garamendi said they were pleased with the possible integration.

“Cal Maritime is an essential resource for California and the entire nation, so ensuring the campus continues to educate maritime leaders is paramount,” Dodd said. “It’s critical for public safety, economic prosperity and national security. I’ve spoken with the chancellor’s office and I appreciate her commitment to ensuring the campus is sustainable and that Vallejo continues to produce graduates now and for generations to come.”

“This integration should allow CSU students at both the Vallejo and San Luis Obispo campuses to benefit from a strengthened academic curriculum and graduate with a nationally recognized degree that prepares them for the maritime jobs of the future in nautical engineering and the burgeoning offshore renewable energy industry,” Garamendi said. “As Vallejo’s Congressman, I work each year to secure millions in federal funding for Cal Maritime, including building the replacement vessel for the Academy’s aging training ship, Golden Bear. I will hold the CSU Chancellor to her commitment to keep Cal Maritime’s Vallejo campus open for years to come.”

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Lifeboat malfunction keeps Maine Maritime training cruise close to home

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An equipment malfunction has delayed the departure of Maine Maritime Academy’s training vessel from Penobscot Bay.

The school’s 500-foot long training ship, State of Maine, takes an annual overseas training cruise  so students can get hands-on experience in operating a large vessel. This year, the 74-day cruise was expected to take 202 students, along with 45 staff and crew, to ports of call in Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Portland before returning to Castine.

But, so far, the ship is still within sight of shore, though the ship did motor out of Castine’s harbor as scheduled on May 8. The reason? A small crane used to lower and raise one of the ship’s four lifeboats broke during U.S. Coast Guard testing and inspections later that same day, as the ship was anchored off the northern tip of Islesboro, according to an official blog  midshipmen are keeping on the cruise.

Since then the ship has been anchoring off Searsport while waiting for a replacement part for the lifeboat to be delivered. Once the repair is made and the Coast Guard gives the okay, the ship will depart Maine for points further south and east.

“The part is currently en route to Castine (direct from Norway!) and the TSSOM will be returning to the Castine dock this afternoon for the next few days while the repair is completed,” school officials posted Monday on Facebook .

The delay in leaving Penobscot Bay has forced the school to adjust the cruise itinerary, however. The planned visit to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean has been canceled, but the ship may instead make a stop in New York City, according to the cruise blog.

The time spent in the bay, rather than cruising the open seas, has not been wasted, school officials said. Students have received at-sea training in maintenance and operations while cruising around the bay.

“From repairs, to watches, to plotting courses the students have remained busy and in good spirits,” they wrote on Facebook.

How the delay is expected to affect the cruise overall was not clear on Monday. An MMA spokesperson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

The 2024 training cruise is expected to be the final one for the school’s current training ship, a former Navy oceanographic research vessel that has served as MMA’s training ship since 1997. School officials have said they hope their new training vessel, a $320 million ship  under construction in Philadelphia, will be delivered to Castine by spring of 2025.

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A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors.... More by Bill Trotter

Education | Cal State University recommends integrating Cal…

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Education | Cal State University recommends integrating Cal Maritime, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

If approved by csu trustees, integration would be complete by 2026-27 school year.

The integration — which would be complete by the start of the 2026-27 academic year — requires the approval of the CSU Board of Trustees. The board will be asked to act on the recommendation at its November meeting following information sessions at its July and September meetings.

CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer Nathan Evans made the recommendation to Chancellor Mildred García.

“The integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly will benefit the students, faculty and staff of both institutions, as well as advance the broader mission of the CSU system by enhancing the quality, diversity and sustainability of the CSU’s academic programs and services statewide,” said Relyea and Evans in a CSU statement. “In addition, it will serve industry and workforce needs of the state of California and of the nation while also supporting U.S. economic and national security interests. We are confident in our recommendation.”

Garcia was also in favor of the integration.

“The recommended integration of Cal Maritime and Cal Poly is an innovative and vitally necessary strategy with benefits that will be felt throughout the CSU, the state of California and our nation,” said García. “It provides a long-term solution to Cal Maritime’s untenable fiscal circumstances, preserves its licensure-granting academic programs so key to the maritime industry and our state’s and nation’s economy and security, and leverages academic and operational synergies between the two universities that will benefit California’s diverse students, families and communities for generations.”

The only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast and one of only six state maritime academies in the U.S., Cal Maritime has experienced a 31 percent enrollment decline over the last seven years. The enrollment has gone from approximately 1,100 students in 2016-17 to just over 750 in 2023-24, according to the CSU statement. There are 81 members of faculty;  with 176 staff. The annual budget for the school is $53 million. The rising employment and operational costs have contributed to Cal Maritime’s fiscal crisis.

The proposal also comes after recent controversy. A Vallejo Times-Herald report in 2021 exposed decades-long claims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, homophobia, transphobia and racism on campus and during training cruises. Cal Maritime students and employees reported accusations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment aboard the 500-foot ship to officials at the Vallejo campus between 2019-2022.

In 2021 transgender student Sophia Scopazzi, a then senior who was part of the Gender Equity Committee, voiced concern over different treatment students received based on perceived gender.

Last summer Dumont began his tenure as interim president at Cal Maritime, taking over for Thomas A. Cropper who announced in November of 2022 that he would retire in August of 2023.

Since then the school has been recognized on multiple spots on the badge-eligible list of U.S. News and World Report’s list of 2024 Best Colleges. The college was recognized for top performances in academic reputation, cost of attendance and return on investment. The college scored No. 1 for Top Public Schools and ranked No. 2 out of 103 for Regional Colleges-West.

Additionally, Cal Maritime was included on Forbes’ list of  America’s Top Colleges 2023. Forbes’ annual list showcases 500 of the finest U.S. colleges, ranked using data on student success, return on investment and alumni influence.

Although CSU said in its statement that the challenges the school faces is nothing new, Cal Maritime has implemented several actions to reduce expenses and increase revenues.

“Cal Maritime has been part of Vallejo’s rich history and a source of pride for eight decades. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni have played an important role in the history of the state, the region and the nation,” said Cal Maritime Interim President Michael Dumont. “An integration with Cal Poly is an amazing opportunity to honor that legacy by preserving one of the nation’s premier maritime academies.”

Under the recommendation, Cal Maritime would retain its maritime focus within Cal Poly, with the integration of operations, resources and governance structure. Cal Maritime’s specialized degree programs, three of which lead to a Merchant Marine license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, would continue to be offered at the Vallejo campus. Both institutions would benefit from expanded academic offerings, research opportunities and facilities.

Cal Maritime’s students would become part of the Cal Poly student body and benefit from Cal Poly’s strong reputation as a comprehensive polytechnic institution and gain access to a broad range of academic facilities and student services.

“As I’ve reflected upon this new opportunity the CSU has asked Cal Poly to take on, I’ve recognized the value it provides both Cal Poly and Cal Maritime,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Both of our institutions share an innovative, hands-on, learn by doing approach and academic programming that is rooted in world-class engineering. I am optimistic and confident that we can leverage these and our other collective strengths to build upon and ensure our future success.”

Following the announcement by CSU, both State Senator Bill Dodd and U.S. Congressman John Garamendi said they were pleased with the possible integration.

“Cal Maritime is an essential resource for California and the entire nation, so ensuring the campus continues to educate maritime leaders is paramount,” Dodd said. “It’s critical for public safety, economic prosperity and national security. I’ve spoken with the chancellor’s office and I appreciate her commitment to ensuring the campus is sustainable and that Vallejo continues to produce graduates now and for generations to come.”

“This integration should allow CSU students at both the Vallejo and San Luis Obispo campuses to benefit from a strengthened academic curriculum and graduate with a nationally recognized degree that prepares them for the maritime jobs of the future in nautical engineering and the burgeoning offshore renewable energy industry,” Garamendi said. “As Vallejo’s Congressman, I work each year to secure millions in federal funding for Cal Maritime, including building the replacement vessel for the Academy’s aging training ship, Golden Bear. I will hold the CSU Chancellor to her commitment to keep Cal Maritime’s Vallejo campus open for years to come.”

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