Summer Sea Term

Texas A&M Maritime Academy Announces Local Events

TS Kennedy during the Galveston Dock Party in 2023

With Summer Sea Term (SST) 2024 quickly approaching, the Texas A&M Maritime Academy announced two public events here in Galveston to mark the start of the sea term. This summer, cadets, faculty and staff will sail from Galveston, docking in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Quebec City, Quebec; Boston, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before returning back to Galveston. Find the full schedule on the Summer Sea Term ’24 website.

The annual Dock Party will kick off SST ‘24 right here at the Galveston Campus, marking the beginning of a promising two-month semester at sea on June 2. All are invited to join the dock party from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, where attendees can tour the 540-foot training ship, make encouraging posters at the sign making station (courtesy of Galveston County Aggie Moms’ Club) and enjoy barbecue and Blue Bell ice cream!

All activities are free and open to the public. Tours are offered first-come, first-serve and will start at 10:00 AM with the last tour starting at 12:30 PM. All ship tours require closed-toe shoes. No skirts or dresses, please. Ship tours are only available for those five years old and up due to safety protocols.

The Sail Away Flotilla is a Galveston Campus tradition to wish our cadets fair winds and following seas as they embark on their summer sea term. Join friends, loved ones, industry supporters and former students after the dock party to escort our cadets, faculty and crew aboard the TS Kennedy through the Galveston Ship Channel.

Though the flotilla is planned for 2:00 PM, the departure date and time may vary based on a variety of conditions beyond the control of the academy. Plan to be flexible.Please keep in mind, all maritime operations are fluid and subject to change with little notice. We will provide notice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to communicate any changes in date, location, or time. No RSVP is required. Launching, recovering and docking at the Galveston Campus Dock is strictly prohibited.

Check out all of the events on the Summer Sea Term 2024 events page.

Looking for more information about Summer Sea Term? Check the Summer Sea Term 2024 site regularly for updates and remember that details are always subject to change.