Office of Marine Programs
The Office of Marine Programs oversees much of what makes Cal Maritime a unique learning environment. This department manages all shipboard and waterfront training and the professional development of cadets. Perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities you will be exposed to while at CMA is the training that takes place out of our historic Boathouse, and our Marina. You will train on everything from rowboats to work boats to tug boats, and on the Training Ship Golden Bear. We are very proud of our excellent small boat program, arguably the best small boat handling program in the nation.
Marine Programs manages the summer cruise taken by cadets in their first and third years, which provides an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in shipboard life. Not only will you learn every aspect of operating an ocean-going ship, you will visit exciting foreign ports throughout the Pacific Rim.
The department also arranges the training during the second year, when most cadets embark on a commercial ship. This is your opportunity to experience the professional side of the maritime industry.
Cal Maritime’s Office of Marine Programs may be reached at 707-654-1211.
Training Ship Golden Bear
The Golden Bear serves as the primary training platform on which cadets apply technological skills introduced in the classroom and leadership skills acquired from their work assignments and responsibilities with the Corps of Cadets. Each summer, cadets in their first and third years depart with licensed faculty officers for the two month long training cruise. During these periods at sea, intellectual learning, applied technology, and leadership development blend daily as cadets apply what they have learned in the classroom, in the lab, in the Corps, and on the waterfront.
The newly upgraded multi-million dollar Navigation Laboratory onboard the training ship provides state of the art navigation equipment, which results in the finest navigation training platform available in the country.
During their training voyage onboard the Golden Bear, cadets who are working toward a license feel the responsibility of command, demonstrate their effectiveness as leaders, and refine their technical skills and leadership styles. All cadets, whether in the license programs or not, interact with other countries and cultures to learn about the peoples who are their hosts. The cadets experience connections to the larger global maritime environment and develop an understanding of how their selected vocations will function in the context of an international setting. In this way the cruises enhance the global awareness of cadets as they apply the intellectual and practical training they have received during the school year.
Waterfront and Maritime Operations
During the fall and spring, specialized training occurs on our fleet of rowboats, work boats, tug boats, and T-boats. Under the aegis of the Maritime Operations Department, classes in water safety, shipboard maintenance, operations, management, and small boat handling are taught throughout the year.
When entering our historic Boathouse for the first time, one cannot help but feel the pride and traditions of maritime life. This is where it all starts. You will progress through our fleet of small vessels, starting with our double-ended rowboats and ending with our tug, crew boat and t-boats.
Every cadet participates in classes aboard our 500-foot floating laboratory, the Training Ship Golden Bear. In addition, cadets participating in the summer training cruise take a U.S. Coast Guard Lifeboatman exam and must pass both written and practical tests.
Not every CSU student can claim they have a 500-foot ship docked in their “front yard”!
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