Some 50 Northwestern Michigan College Great Lakes Maritime Academy (GLMA) cadets will depart for the first of four training cruises on Tues., May 18. The cruises will keep GLMA’s training ship, the T/S State of Michigan, at sea for five months, from May 18 to Oct. 25, providing an opportunity for 140-160 cadets to earn sea time. 

The cadets will observe a series of COVID-19 safety protocols. Cadets and crew must either be vaccinated or quarantine and test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure. 

“This plan will allow all cadets to accrue some sea time in 2021, and allow cadets who could not sail in 2020 due to COVID to make up for what they missed and graduate per their model schedules,” said Academy Superintendent Jerry Achenbach.

Prior to 2020, GLMA operated two cruises that ran 10-12 weeks. The pandemic shortened last year’s sailing season, and it has been more difficult to find berths aboard commercial vessels. Both factors contributed to this year’s longer cruise season.

Cadets must earn 360 days of required sea time during their four-year program.

The first four-week cruise will visit Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, the Detroit River and the St. Mary’s River. Phase 2 departs Traverse City June 15 bound for Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the St. Mary’s River, Lake Huron, Detroit and Lake St. Clair. Phase 3 departs Traverse City July 21 for Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, the Detroit River, the St. Mary’s River and Lake Superior. Phase 4 departs Traverse City Aug. 27 and will visit Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, the St. Mary’s River and Lake Superior, and returns Oct. 25. 

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College educates and trains deck and engineering officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine.