Commercial Cruise Overview

In our continuing effort to provide our Deck and Engine Cadets with berths necessary to complete their required seatime, The California Maritime Academy requests your support in providing this invaluable service during the 2005 summer period.

The purpose of this program is to complement the training ship experience with real life experience on a commercially operated vessel. This year we need to place approximately 130 cadets aboard merchant ships for a minimum of 60 days in order to fulfill the U.S. Coast Guard’s seatime licensing requirements. We ask that those students sailing aboard tankers fulfill 90 days to complete their PIC time requirements.

The period of shipment begins April 30, 2005 with students returning to Cal Maritime no later than August 30, 2005. Each vessel should provide a professional atmosphere with training in navigation, seamanship and engineering (for Deck Cadets) and 4000 horsepower (for Engine Cadets).

While on board, each student’s main responsibility and focus will be their sea projects. Both Deck and Engine cadets will be responsible for a written report detailing their study of the vessel and shipboard operations.

Understanding the unique operating requirements of certain vessels and manning issues, we realize that our cadets will perform some work and that our cadets may continue with the company after the required 60 days. However, the service you are providing our cadet is one of training, and your commitment toward this goal is paramount to their success.

In order for us to assess the cadet’s experience, we ask that the ship’s officers evaluate each cadet’s performance during the cruise. A form for this purpose will be provided. It is important to note that when the officers evaluate our cadets, they are not in any way certifying competence. The evaluations are intended for academic purposes only.

The commercial cruise program at The California Maritime Academy rests with the Office of Marine Programs, which is guided by Captain John Keever. Steve Kreta, Academic Dean, and Captain Shirley Kohlwes, Career Development Director, will take responsibility for the program. Tess Ramirez, Career Development Assistant, and Captain Shirley Kohlwes will coordinate placement.

At this time we need to determine those companies interested in participating. Additional information will follow once you have indicated your company’s willingness to assist our cadets. For those companies that have assisted with placing our cadets in the past, we sincerely appreciate your commitment to our training program and hope for your continued support this year. For those companies that have not participated recently, we look forward to establishing a working relationship with you.