Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cadets Depart on Training Ship Patriot State from Tampa, Florida

Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets embarked on an exciting journey aboard their new training ship, Patriot State, as they set sail from Tampa, Florida on Monday, Feb. 17. The cadets gathered on the helicopter deck at 7 a.m. for their morning formation and roll call, with the sun rising over a picturesque backdrop of palm trees.

After quickly dispersing to their mooring stations, the tugboat Endeavor arrived to assist in releasing the ship from its berth. With bow thrusters activated, the Patriot State smoothly departed at 8:28 a.m., beginning its voyage into the Gulf of Mexico.

As the ship navigated through the narrow channels and out into open waters of Tampa Bay, cadets like quartermaster Oscar Montes from Panama and helmsman Daniel Short took on their respective duties with precision. Montes kept a watchful eye on the surroundings, including the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge, as the ship made its way towards the Gulf.

The Patriot State is now en route south, rounding the tip of Florida before heading north towards the Atlantic Ocean. The cadets are expected to return to the Buzzards Bay campus by the upcoming weekend, Feb. 22-23, after a fulfilling sea term that included port calls in various locations such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Charleston, South Carolina.

This annual sea term, which began on Jan. 11 with around 550 cadets, showcases the dedication and training of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy students. The support of subscribers has made this coverage possible, and those interested in quality local journalism can consider a Cape Cod Times subscription.

For more details on this exciting journey of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets aboard the Patriot State, visit the original article on Cape Cod Times: “Mass. Maritime Academy training ship leaves Florida, heads to Cape Cod.”