Maine Maritime Academy’s new training ship will be docked across Penobscot Bay until next summer.
The State of Maine was christened Tuesday at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia during a ceremony attended by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, acting Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration Sang Yi and Maine Maritime Academy PResident Craig Johnson.
“Maine Maritime Academy is internationally recognized as a leader in maritime education and this vessel represents a major step forward in our mission to train the world’s finest mariners,” Johnson said in a statement. “As our first purpose-built training ship, the State of Maine will provide world-class learning experiences for cadets pursuing unlimited tonnage licenses. It’s a game-changer for our mission and a powerful reflection of what’s possible through strong partnerships and shared vision.”
The ship replaces the State of Maine vessel that the academy has used to train its students since 1997. Students, staff and crew pilot the ship across the Atlantic and back.
The new State of Maine is 525 feet long, weighs 8,500 metric tons and has a top speed of 18 knots.
But the vessel won’t be docked in Castine, where Maine Maritime Academy is located. That’s because work is ongoing to double the length of the pier where the ship docks.
Until then, the State of Maine will dock in Searsport, right across Penobscot Bay from Castine. It will likely remain docked there until next July, according to a Maine Maritime Academy spokesperson.
BDN writer Elizabeth Walztoni contributed to this report.