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Cadet Shipping

During the summer after the sophomore year, USCG license students are assigned to merchant vessels as cadets for further familiarization in shipboard procedures. These students are majoring in:

• Marine Engineering Operation
• Marine Engineering Technology
• Marine Systems Engineering - Design/License Track
• Marine Transportation Operations

Note: Candidates for the US Coast Guard 3rd assistant engineer license must complete 180 days sea time. USCG 3rd mate license candidates will be required to complete 365 days sea time. Sea time will be met through specialized laboratories, simulation, and three training cruises.

What is a deck officer? | What is a ships' engineer?

• Cadet Shipping includes an extensive preparation program aimed at maximizing the learning experience in the real world of shipping. Here is a list of companies offering Cadet Shipping billets.
• Cadet shipping will involve training, watches and maintenance in the students' area of major.
• In addition to the practical experience gained, students have the opportunity to visit ports of call in the United States and foreign countries. In several cases, students have circumnavigated the globe.
• Many students find this experience to be a major advantage in finding employment following graduation.
• In recent years, most students on Cadet Shipping assignments received cadet wage and reimbursement for travel expenses.
• Seatime - A minimum of 60 days is required for 3rd Assistant Engineer license candidates, 90 days for 3rd Mate license candidates, which is credited toward the sea service required for a USCG license.
• Maine Maritime Academy was the first state maritime academy to incorporate this popular program into its curriculum.
• Each student must submit a satisfactory Sea Project, Cadet Shipping Report, Ship's Officer's Evaluation Report, and evidence of sea time to be awarded course credits.
• A passport, a drug-free certificate, and a merchant marine document are required for all students going cadet shipping.

Note: Freshmen and juniors in the unlimited license programs take a training cruise aboard Maine Maritime's training ship State of Maine.

This is a partial list of companies who offer cadet shipping billets to our students. It is not a mere coincidence that these companies are the same ones listed as "Employers" of our licensed graduates. Our students are trained so well that these companies want our graduates to work for them.