Almost a year since the last blog post, with the world gripped by COVID pandemic issues, there have been many distractions. But suffice to say, much has happened since last summer. And just as important, much did NOT happen and this has caused some issues for cadets at EVERY state maritime Academy. Not just at Cal Maritime.
In the summer of 2020, the owner of all Maritime Academy Training Ships ( MARAD ) instructed all Academies to NOT take the Training Ships out on a summer training cruise, due to concerns of the COVID spread. This created an issue for all cadets not being able to obtain enough ‘sea-time’ for the original license. There were some creative efforts to make up this lost time and even a modification of the rules. In the end, some cadets still needed to get more time training at sea before graduation.
Fast forward to this summer, 2021. The Cal Maritime Administration planned two cruises for the summer. Training Ship GOLDEN BEAR would conduct a routine cruise in June & July. Upon return to Vallejo, the first cohort disembarked and shortly after, cadets on the next training cruise from July thru August got ready to depart for Cruise #2.
The GOLDEN BEAR will arrive into Honolulu Harbor on Friday, August 6th at 0800. She will berth at Pier 10/11 at Aloha Tower. A Private function, the DAVE LYMAN MEMORIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT will be held onboard from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. This is a “by invitation only” affair, as the State of Hawaii COVID Protocols for social gatherings remain in effect. Therefore, only 75 guests have been invited to a reception onboard.
We will post more information and updates tomorrow.
Captain Sam Pecota (left) with Pilot Ed Enos on departure from Honolulu, June 28, 2021