Maine Maritime Academy’s New Training Ship Delayed Until February
Maine Maritime Academy’s new training vessel, the State of Maine, will arrive approximately two months later than initially scheduled due to complications identified during its testing phase. Originally expected by the end of this year, the ship is now set to reach Maine in February, as confirmed by Michael Dickerson, the academy’s communications director. This delay comes as the academy prepares for an increased demand for trained mariners in the coming years, coinciding with a significant waterfront project in Castine aimed at accommodating the new ship.
The State of Maine is classified as a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel, one of five commissioned by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, the vessel was christened this summer. Designed to support federal responses to natural disasters, it features hospital facilities, helicopter landing zones, and ample container storage space. This new ship replaces an older vessel of the same name that has served the academy since 1997, significantly expanding the academy’s training capacity for students on board.
Challenges During Testing and Future Plans
During its trials, the State of Maine encountered issues with its propulsion shaft and stern tube bearing, necessitating a drydocking in September. Components are currently being removed for analysis and repair or replacement. Dickerson noted that further drydocking will be required to install a reconditioned tail shaft, stern bearing, and associated propulsion components.
In addition to the ship’s repairs, Maine Maritime Academy is undertaking a multi-year, $100 million waterfront project to enhance its facilities. This includes constructing a new steel piling pier to accommodate the longer training ship. The new pier will more than double the available dock space, expanding from 500 linear feet of the original timber pile pier built in the 1960s. The first phase of this project, which includes the section of the pier designated for the State of Maine, is expected to be completed by summer 2024, with the second phase projected to finish by 2027.
Until the waterfront project is completed, the State of Maine may temporarily dock across Penobscot Bay in Searsport. Dickerson indicated that the exact interim docking location is still being determined. Despite the delay in the ship’s arrival, the academy’s plans for its annual summer training cruise remain unchanged. These cruises provide students with valuable experience in working and living aboard ships, often involving transatlantic crossings.
