MARITIME COLLEGE ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE TRAINING SHIP EMPIRE STATE VII FROM SUMMER SEA TERM 2025
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MARITIME COLLEGE ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE TRAINING SHIP EMPIRE STATE VII FROM SUMMER SEA TERM 2025
600+ Cadets and Staff return from New Orleans, Ponta Delgada, (Azores), Bergen, ( Norway) an unforgettable maritime journey and transformational leadership experience
Bronx, NY – July 28, 2025- Maritime College announced today that 500+ student cadets in the regimental program who are obtaining their U.S. Coast Guard license will be returning from an 8-week Summer Sea Term training program. Cadets pursuing a U.S. Coast Guard license are required to complete seagoing experiences through Summer Sea Terms (SST) and/or Cadet Shipping (on commercial or government-owned civilian-crewed ships). Both of these training experiences provided cadets with valuable hands-on learning on board a ship. Cadets must complete three seagoing experiences from the following options: 3 SSTs on the College Training Ship Empire State VII or 2 SSTs on the Empire State VII plus 1 Cadet Shipping experience (in lieu of 1 SST aboard the Training Ship)
The Empire State VII will be arriving back on campus at Olivet Pier at Maritime College at 3:30, on Tuesday, July 29. We hope the entire Maritime College Family (families, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni) will come to campus to welcome home our Cadets. If you’re unable to come to campus or prefer to watch the Empire State transit from Stapleton Anchorage to Fort Schuyler—scheduled between approximately 1:00 and 3:30 PM—here are some alternative viewing locations along the route:
o South Street Seaport (1:45 PM)
o Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park (2:00 PM)
o John Lindsey East River Park, Lower East Side (2:15 PM)
o Roosevelt Island (2:30 PM)
o Astoria Park, Queens (2:40 PM)
o Randall’s Island (2:40 PM)
o Hermon A. Macneil Park, College Point (2:50 PM)
o Clason Point Park, Soundview (2:50 PM)
o Ferry Point Park, Bronx (3:00 PM)
o Francis Lewis Park, Whitestone (3:00 PM)
Also, you should be able to track the ship on www.marinetraffic.com
The Empire State VII, delivered in 2023, is a state of the art, purpose-built training ship. This National Security Multi-Mission Vessel - an entirely new design and class of vessel – was built specifically as a training platform and to respond to national disasters. In the past, the previous training ship Empire State VI and the other state maritime academy training ships assisted with relief efforts for hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Irma and Maria.
The President of Maritime College, RADM John Okon ’91 said “Summer terms are the heart and soul of the Maritime College experience, and a crucial part to earning a U.S. Coast Guard license. SST 2025 provided unparalleled experiential learning through hands-on and practical applied learning, and associated classroom education. Students actively participated in ship operations, navigation, repair and maintenance, gaining valuable skills, knowledge and leadership. Maritime College is more than just an institution, it’s the Peninsula of Opportunity and Engine of Upward Mobility. I know this first hand, I am a product of the institution, process and a proud Alumnus.”
Across all of the College's programs and activities, the hallmark of a Maritime College education is learning by doing. This distinctive, hands-on approach attracts students who roll up their sleeves to prepare for personal and professional success through their studies, extracurriculars and job preparation.
ABOUT SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE
With more than a dozen undergraduate majors—including five ABET-accredited engineering programs, two master's degree options, and a renowned U.S. Coast Guard license program—Maritime College arms you with the skills to navigate, power, and operate the world's maritime industry. Beyond the classroom, Maritime fosters hands-on learning and leadership development with over 50 student clubs and organizations, 13 NCAA Division III teams, independent collegiate sports, and various programs, including the only Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program in New York City. The College’s global alumni network offers unparalleled career connections and support.