April 28, 2011 CASTINE PATRIOT, CASTINE, MAINE Page 3 Bon Voyage to the Maine Maritime Academy’s 2011 Training Cruise The 500-foot, 16,000-ton T/S State of Maine, the former USNS Tanner, originally served as a Navy oceanographic research vessel and was converted in 1997 to accommodate the training needs of the college. The fourth vessel to bear the name State of Maine, the ship is a modern, technologically advanced training vessel. It accommodates 302 people. When in port, State of Maine is open for public guided tours on a vary- ing schedule. For exact dates and times of tours, call 800-464-6565 (Maine) or 800-227-8465 (out of state). Photo courtesy of Maine Maritime Academy Cruise to visit Mediterranean ports this year CASTINE—Maine Maritime Academy addition to an interactive tracking chart of Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, the boats are made of molded fiberglass and students, officers, and crew will visit the cruise, the site provides links devoted to Russia, and Spain, as well as other European are capable of making long ocean passages. Mediterranean ports this spring as part of the teaching and educational materials for stu- and Caribbean countries. They are crafted to sail indefinitely down- college’s annual two-month training cruise dents of all ages. Once the ship is underway, wind and will transmit their location and to foreign and domestic ports-of-call. This the public is invited to join the voyage by Educational Passages research boat speed for up to one year. The boats rely year’s training cruise itinerary includes Nor- visiting www.mainemaritime.edu and fol- Complementing the educational focus of solely on wind and current power and need folk, Va., May 6-9; Valetta, Malta, May 25- lowing the Cruise 2011 link. MMA’s training cruise, students and staff no outside assistance. 28; Civitavecchia, Italy, May 31-June 3; Due to shipboard security, the vessel will sailing aboard the State of Maine will work MMA has an ongoing relationship with Cobh, Ireland, June 12-15; and Portland, not be open to the general public for tours for the fifth consecutive year with the Educational Passages. Initial sea trials were Maine, June 25-26. The ship will host a fam- while in foreign or domestic ports. Well- Belfast-based organization, Educational Pas- launched from MMA’s schooner Bowdoin in ily day sail on the return leg from Portland to wishers are welcomed and encouraged to sages (www.educationalpassages.com), to 2008, off the northeast coast of North Amer- Castine. Under the command of Captain view the vessel departure and return from the launch small sailboats at various locations. ica. Leslie Eadie III of Brewer, interim master of Maine Maritime Academy waterfront, but Educational Passages utilizes 4.5-foot- To follow the boats, visit www.iboat- the training ship State of Maine, the ship will shipboard visits are not permitted. long unmanned sailboats to enable the study track.com; for more information, contact begin sailing operations at 6:15 a.m., and On the return leg to Castine from Portland, of ocean wind and current patterns by school program founder Richard Baldwin at will depart Castine harbor at approximately upper class students may invite their parents or community groups. Designed with assis- [email protected] or 338-4087. 7 a.m., on Tuesday, May 3. The training to join them. The day sail allows parents the tance from an experienced naval architect, cruise will commence in port on Friday, unique opportunity to see the high level of April 29, for pre-sailing preparation. technical proficiency and leadership achieved by their students. The training ship Follow the voyage will return to its home port on Sunday, June Wishes for smooth sailing from “Follow the Voyage,” the online ship 26. Arrival in Castine Harbor is expected at tracking and training cruise activities Web approximately 8 p.m. with docking anticipat- site, will be coordinated by students and staff ed at 8:30 p.m. Training cruise activity will these area businesses: as part of this year’s training activities. The continue in port through Tuesday, June 28. site covers the academy’s annual training In recent years, MMA training cruises cruise from a variety of perspectives. In have taken students to Aruba, Bermuda, Bon Voyage!from Brazil, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, BON VOYAGE! Castine Community 326-4861 Health Services Battle Ave, Castine 326-4348 Court St., Castine Cruise Facts Happy Voyage from Itinerary Bon Voyage! Depart Castine, Tuesday, May 3, approximately 7 a.m. Oakum Bay Real Estate FUEL SERVICE Norfolk, Va., May 6-9 Main St., Castine • 326-8741 Penobscot 326-8808 Valetta, Malta, May 25-28 Civitavecchia, Italy, May 31-June 3 Cobh, Ireland, June 12-15 Saltmeadow Properties Portland, June 25-26. Parents of upper class students may join the ship for the day. Bon Voyage! Marcia Kropp, Karen Koos, Susan MacNair, Arrive Castine, Sunday, June 26, approximately 8 p.m. Bon Lisa Haugen, Doug Endicott Voyage! Main St., Castine • 326-9116 Length of cruise: Approximately 11,000 nautical miles Main St., Blue Hill • 374-5010 Ship’s Company MMA Students, Officers and Crew Approximately 230 midshipmen Best wishes for a Enjoy Approximately 55 officers and crew cruise to remember. the Captain Leslie Eadie III From the members and friends of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine trip! Chief Mate Brendan McAvoy Member FDIC Chief Engineer Roger Lowell DENNETT’S WHARF Commandant of Midshipmen Captain P.J. Loustaunau Bon Voyage from Follow the Voyage Northern Bay Market Enjoy the cruise! Serving Mon.-Thurs. from 2 p.m. Visit www.mainemaritime.edu and follow the Cruise 2011 link South Penobscot • 326-8606 Fri. & Sat., from 11 a.m. Students pursuing an officer’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Sea Street, Castine third mate or third assistant engineer are required to train at sea for at Bon voyage! least 60 days in each of their first three years at the academy. Freshmen Open 7 Days Penobscot Bay Press and juniors sail aboard the MMA vessel, while sophomores are assigned 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Community Information Services to merchant ships worldwide. Main St., Castine.