FOREWORD

The purpose of this website is to help you prepare for one of the most important training experiences you will have at Maine Maritime Academy. It contains information you will need to carry out your shipping assignment in a smooth and timely manner. However, no guide can be written that will answer all your questions about the vessel and crew you will be assigned to. If you have been assigned to a company that upper-class students, faculty or staff have RECENTLY SAILED WITH, they can give you accurate information about the company, crew and vessel. However, you must realize that there is a tremendous amount of change occurring because of consolidations, mergers, deregulation, STCW, IMO etc. and that one or two-year-old information may not be 100% accurate.

We expect you to be safe, work hard and be respectful to EVERYONE you encounter on board, because the officers and crew have the knowledge and experience to help you become a better mariner. Captains and Chief Engineers do not expect you to know everything but they do expect a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a roll up your sleeves, get the job done, hard work ethic.

The cadet shipping experience is considered by students to be one of the most useful and valuable training exercises in which you will be participating during your years at MMA. In addition to the practical learning experiences, it offers you an outstanding opportunity to establish a reputation for yourself, as well as the Academy. You should keep in mind the importance of obtaining a good ship’s officers evaluation report that will help achieve the employment opportunities available to you after graduation.

Richard George Youcis
Director Career Services and Cadet Shipping