The following is text of a news release from Maine Maritime Academy (MMA):
(CASTINE, Maine) — Maine Maritime Academy President William J. Brennan announced Thursday that the training ship State of Maine will return to Castine midafternoon on July 31 to conclude the "fast cruise," having been in Searsport and at anchor.
The cruise, which began July 8, was organized for senior engineering and navigation students who, in order to graduate, needed to accrue final hours of sea time and operational experience required by the U.S. Coast Guard to obtain their unlimited license credentials and their degrees.
The MMA waterfront will be closed to visitors and traffic on July 31. The 60 students and crew will remain aboard the vessel until training officially ends on Aug. 4, at which time students will take the five-day U.S. Coast Guard exams on the MMA campus as specially arranged with the USCG. Ship operations will conclude on Aug. 5.
