Sea Semester

  United States

Hawaii,  Honolulu,  Key West,  San Diego,  Woods Hole

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Trimester, Winter 

Description: SEA Semester provides undergraduates with the opportunity to study the ocean from a multitude of academic perspectives, and do to it from the platform of a traditional sailing vessel. It is the only full-credit program in the world that combines an engaging academic and research curriculum with a voyage to the deep ocean under sail.

Students of any discipline are encouraged to apply to SEA Semester, which combines both shore and sea components. On shore, students live and study alongside professional researchers, scholars and mariners. Studying maritime policy, history, and literature, nautical science, and oceanography, they learn about the ocean's power and mystery, and design research projects that will be the focus of their work at sea.

The sea component takes students to the open ocean and exotic locations on a vessel that is campus, classroom and home. Applying knowledge acquired ashore, students learn new skills including the operation of a traditional sailing vessel, complete their research projects, and meet the centuries-old challenges of the sea.

For many students, SEA is an adventure of a lifetime. It brings something different to the quest for understanding of the ocean's still-mysterious workings. SEA Semester is designed to develop in students a talent, we hope even a passion, for the application of scientific thinking and method to the marine environment. Add to this the enduring challenge of individual and community endeavor aboard a tall ship, and you have the recipe for one of the most interesting, demanding, and rewarding academic adventures available to any student, anywhere.

Highlights: SEA's Vessels:

SSV Corwith Cramer.
Corwith Cramer, named after SEA's founding director, was designed by Wooden and Marean specifically for SEA and was constructed by ASTACE in 1987 in Bilbao, Spain. She is a 134-foot steel brigantine built as a research vessel for operation under sail.

SSV Robert C. Seamans.
SEA's newest vessel, the Robert C. Seamans, was designed by Laurent Giles of Hampshire England, and built at JM Martinac shipbuilding in Tacoma, WA. Named after former trustee and Chairman of SEA's board, the Robert C. Seamans is a 134 foot steel brigantine and is the most sophisticated oceanographic research/sailing school vessel ever built in the United States. Improvements in design and equipment, including a wet/dry laboratory and larger library, classroom, and computer laboratory enhance the SEA academic program.

Hands On Ships.
SEA vessels are hands-on ships. After careful instruction both on shore and at sea, students put their education into practice, demonstrating competence in sailing, and using the vessel's systems to carry out their class mission. Radar, radio-telephones, GPS navigation systems and depth sounders on each vessel ensure their navigational safety. Auxiliary machinery includes refrigeration systems, desalinization, firefighting and pumping equipment, and electrical generators. In the unlikely event of an emergency, fully-equipped life rafts can accommodate each ship's entire company.

Each vessel goes to sea with a professional staff of ten, including captain, chief scientist, three mates, three assistant scientists, an engineer, and a steward. In addition, a visiting scholar is frequently on board. Students, 25 on Corwith Cramer, and 25 on the Robert C. Seamans, round out the complement.

SEA vessels fly the United States flag and are inspected and certified by the United States Coast Guard as Sailing School Vessels (SSV). Sailing School Vessels are required to meet stringent safety standards that differ from those of a passenger vessel on a comparable route. Students on board are considered as crew, active participants in the operation of the vessel. All SEA vessels meet or exceed the safety requirements for their class.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-8

Scholarships are Available. - numerous merit based scholarships are available.

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Year Founded: 1971