Maine Maritime
Academy's training ship State of Maine (TSSOM) returned to its homeport of
Castine Saturday morning. It was the ship's third and final training cruise of
the year.
. The ship left
for Charleston, South Caroline on Nov. 16. After a two-day port call, the ship
sailed to St. Croix, USVI, and Port Canaveral, Florida.
The 'State of
Maine' typically departs for its training cruise once a year every spring. Due
to the pandemic, three cruises were planned for this past year to make up for
the lost time.
Allowed more than 300 students to complete cruise training programs
and earn sea time
That decision
allowed more than 300 students to complete cruise training programs and earn
sea time as part of their coast guard license program this school year.
Among the families
eagerly waiting to see their child was John and Jane Frazier. They traveled
from the state of Washington to be in Castine for their son Jack's return. The
family plans to spend Christmas in Maine at their second home in Castine.
"I'm looking
forward to some home-cooked meals from mom... This is probably one of the few
times I'll be able to spend some time with them because once I get out of here
I'm going to be out to sea for a considerable amount of time trying to upgrade
my license," Jack said.
The family said
they're hoping for lots of snow so their first holiday in Maine will be a white
Christmas.