Summer Sea Term
Stay tuned for more information on the inaugural 2027 Sea Term of the TS Lone Star State.
About SST
Through the Texas A&M Maritime Academy program, deck and engine license cadet candidates must accrue time at sea before they graduate. Time is earned during summer sea term journeys after freshman, sophomore and junior years. Cadets travel around the world gaining vital hands-on experience in operating a ship, dealing with port traffic, and building other crucial maritime skills.
Latest Updates
Communications regarding Summer Sea Term will be released on Thursdays, where applicable. All communications will be distributed following Texas A&M Maritime Academy protocols and will be made available through Academy social media channels: @texasmaritime.
Important resources for cadets and their families, including general information, support services, and emergency contacts during Summer Sea Term.
The information provided in the FAQs is based on currently available information. It is subject to change with little notice due to factors beyond the control of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy.
Designated specifically for the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, the TS Lone Star State is the fourth vessel in the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program.
Upcoming Events
See What’s Happening
Details concerning all logistics, including public celebrations, port activities, and more...
Summer Sea Term Schedule
Track the Ship
lets you follow the Training Ship Lone Star State in near real time as it travels during its training cruise. View the vessel’s current position, speed, and course on an interactive map, along with voyage updates and tracking data that bring you closer to life at sea.
The Mail Buoy
The name “mail buoy” refers to a decades-old running joke that the US Postal Service maintains postal box buoys at various middle-of-the-ocean locations. Before the training ship had internet connectivity, Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets could go weeks without hearing from family and friends, so the idea of a mail buoy was particularly enticing. Former students fondly recount both sides of the prank, with some details varying by class year.
