MMA Training Cruise Scheduled for May
Maine Maritime Academy students, officers, and crew
will depart from Castine harbor on Sunday, May 11, 2003, at
approximately 7:30 a.m., aboard the training ship, State of Maine, for
its annual two-month training cruise to foreign and domestic
ports-of-call. The training cruise will commence in port on Sunday, May
4, for a week of preparation. Under the command of Capt. Larry Wade of
Bradley, Maine, this year's itinerary will include Santa Cruz de
Tenerife; Antwerp, Belgium; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The trip
will cover nearly 12,000 nautical miles with more than 210 students and
51 officers and crew aboard.
According to Capt. P.J. Loustaunau, port captain and commandant of
midshipmen, this year's training cruise will be highlighted by an
equatorial crossing with a traditional "shellback" ceremony marking the
occasion. A floating trade mission sponsored by the Maine International
Trade Center will feature Maine products at a shipboard exposition set
for Antwerp, Belgium. Products will again be on display for a special
reception scheduled for Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Invited
dignitaries include the Premier of Nova Scotia and Maine Governor John
Baldacci.
Due to heightened shipboard security, the vessel will not be open for
public for tours while in foreign or domestic ports. Well-wishers are
welcomed and encouraged to view the vessel departure from the Maine
Maritime Academy waterfront, however shipboard visits the morning of
sailing are no longer possible.
Port visits are scheduled for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, June 2-June 4;
Antwerp, Belgium, June 15-June 17; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada,
June 27-29. The ship will also conduct a working port visit in
Portsmouth, Va., proceeding to the port immediately following its
departure from Castine.
The ship will return to its homeport of Castine, Maine, on Tuesday, July
1, with a tentative arrival time of 1:30 p.m., with the ship expected to
dock at 2 p.m. Training cruise activity will continue in port through
Thursday, July 3.
