This site was last updated on:
1/13/2006

Shipboard Life

The Commanding Officer (Captain or Master) of a ship has the legal and moral responsibility for the safety of the ship and for the well being of every person aboard. Therefore, the Captain is on duty 24 hours a day. Because of this unique responsibility, and the nature of sea ventures in the eyes of the law, a great deal of authority is afforded the Captain. As a public vessel of the United States, the Captain has the additional responsibility of the representative nature of the ship and crew when in foreign countries. The Master's authority is promulgated and delegated through a vertical "chain-of-command" organizational structure. This structure consists of Deck and Engineering Officers with senior officers acting as department heads. Thus, the ship's licensed Officers receive their authority from the Master; the CMA Cadet Corps structure hierarchy receives their authority from the Officers, and so on down the chain of command.

As a crewman aboard the training ship, you become subject to the authority of the ship's Master and Officers. You are expected to obey all lawful instructions and perform all assigned duties, which in fact, are not many. You must also comply with instructions given to you by cadet watchstanders and boat coxswains. Some of the "rights" you enjoy as purely college students are superceded by your legal obligation as seamen. However, it is fully recognized that you are NOT training to become professional mariners. Therefore, the rules and regulations that you will be subject to are considerably more relaxed than those required by the CMA cadets, but are still necessary for the good order and sanitary condition of the ship. CMA students are training to become Officer leaders and are therefore subject to different, and usually more stringent, regulations. However, you should expect certain rules and requirements while on the ship that you would NOT normally be subject to as a student at your normal campus. For example, you will not be permitted to just come and go from the vessel as you choose, or to go into any part of the vessel as you choose, or to stay "home" on any particular day. But we feel that the few minor regulations you will be expected to conform to and the few number of duties expected of you will be greatly eclipsed by the benefits and experiences you will attain as a result of your participation. In fact, many previous visiting students enjoy the duties they are asked to perform and request a greater participation in maintenance work or even just observing different operations.

During the day you will be expected to attend class, clean your living space and work as a team member to keep your designated area in "ship shape". The routine for most days will be like:

You have plenty of time to socialize and have free time on Sundays and in port. There are plenty of leisure time activities as well; students can soak up the sun, rent movies, participate in a talent show and much more.