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Campus Administrative Policies

CHAPTER 1300 Maritime Academy



CAP 1330 Training Ship Access on Sea Training by Non-Licensed Faculty and Staff Requirements

1330.1 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to assure safe, regulated and consistent access to the Training Ship for California Polytechnic State University Maritime Academy (Cal Poly Maritime) and to establish Cal Maritime’s Training Vessel as a resource not only of  Cal Poly Maritime, but also a potential resource to faculty of other Cal State University campuses as well as institutions outside the CSU; and to   assure that the training vessel shall be utilized to the maximum potential in meeting the full requirements of maritime education and training (MET). Ancillary uses of the vessel or non-essential personnel shall not compete or impede the mission of the training ship while underway for training or maintenance. 

1330.2 Scope

This policy applies to Cal Poly Maritime faculty members who do not hold a current USCG License and licensed faculty not on the Sea Training calendar. This policy applies to all faculty and staff interested in the unique capabilities provided by the Training ship.  The policy applies to all faculty and staff on board the training ship.

1330.3 Accountability

The Solano CEO and Captain of the Training Ship. 

1330.4 Policy

It is the policy of the California Maritime Academy to encourage non-licensed faculty and staff to ride on the Training Ship during mini cruises and the annual Sea Training. However, participation during summer sea term is subject to certain stipulations as defined in the procedures of this policy. 

While the Training Ship’s first priority is to the Maritime educational experience of students enrolled in the Licensed Track of the Cal Poly Maritime, access to this unique resource by personnel from other California State University campuses and institutions/agencies outside of the CSU may be arranged as defined in the procedures of this policy. 

Please note that the above statement is intended for general guidance only and does not constitute an agreement, in whole or in part, between Cal Poly Maritime, and persons from other campuses within the CSU or from other institutions and agencies. These guidelines may be altered or amended at any time. Prior to beginning Sea Training, appropriate documents will be executed between participants and the Cal Poly Maritime. 

As part of the agreement between Cal Poly Maritime and Maritime Administration (MARAD) regarding the use of the Training Ship, dependents (including spouses), and relatives of State Maritime Academy officials, faculty and crew are “specifically prohibited” (MA-12062 as amended) from being aboard while underway for training or maintenance. 

1331 Procedures Training Ship Access by non-licensed Faculty and Staff the California Maritime Academy

It is the policy of the Cal Poly Maritime to encourage non-licensed faculty and staff to ride on the Training Ship during mini cruises and the annual Sea Training. However, participation during summer sea term is subject to certain stipulations as defined below. 

1331.1 Procedures

  1. Faculty teaching courses during Sea Training will be hired as adjuncts or for special 

session as approved in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). 

  1. Course requirements for Sea Training will be submitted by the department chair to the Academic Dean by the first week of September for his/her approval. 
  1. A list of courses will be disseminated to the faculty. 
  1. Faculty who wish to apply to teach these courses must submit their names to the 

appropriate department chair (the department for those courses) for his/her approval and 

recommendation. 

  1. The department chair will recommend the name(s) of faculty to the Academic Dean for his/her approval and the approval of the Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs.
  1. Faculty must teach a minimum of two three-unit courses, or a combination of teaching and other duties as assigned by the Captain of the Training Ship or the Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs. 
  1. Faculty and staff (not employed by the Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs) who wish to gain a familiarization with the operation of the ship and the Sea Training 

academic program may ride on a leg of the route if: 

  • Space is available; 
  • They obtain Coast Guard Documents (valid MMC with BST and Security Assessment endorsement, valid TWIC, valid Passport if traveling foreign, requires a physical and drug test) 
  • They (or their department) pay for their room and board; and 
  • They (or their department) cover their travel expenses to and/or from the ship. 

1332 Procedures for Allowing Access to the Training Ship by Faculty, Staff, and Students from Other Campuses and Institutions

Faculty from campuses outside the Cal Poly Maritime may present proposals for using the Training Ship either while the Training Ship is underway or tied along the pier at the Vallejo Campus. Proposals must meet the following guidelines and will need to be approved by the Captain of the Training Ship, and the Provost/VPAA of the Cal Poly Maritime. 

  1. Space must be available - Program and graduation requirements dictate that Academy unlimited US Coast Guard license students must be accommodated first. Remaining spaces will be allocated by the Academy administration to other Cal Poly Maritime Academy students and those from other maritime academies, CSU campuses, then from other institutions and agencies. Experience to date indicates that on any scheduled summer sea training there may be space for people not associated with the Academy but whose educational/ research activities are compatible with those already scheduled on the Training Ship.  
  1. Course Enrollment at the Academy - Students must be in good academic standing at their home campuses or institution, be pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, and be enrolled in (and paying fees for) the basic Academy course(s) while on the Training Ship. Other campuses and institutions are encouraged to develop coursework and/or programs to enhance the basic Academy course, emphasizing aspects of the voyage. 
  1. Faculty and staff - from other campuses, institutions or agencies should submit a request for sea training participation to the Superintendent. The request should include a description of the proposed relationship, if any, between the Academy and another CSU campus or other institution, and an outline of the education planned. Billing instructions for payment of the sea training fee should be included. A supporting letter from the appropriate academic department chair or other unit head should also be attached. 
  1. Expenses. A sea-training fee, to help cover the costs of lodging, food, and incidentals will be charged. In addition, students enrolled in courses will pay the customary fees for instruction. 
  1. Health certification. A physical examination must be taken and passed with a fit for duty by all sea training participants from other campuses, institutions and agencies. Persons taking part in Sea Training are advised that the standard of health care on board the vessel and in certain foreign countries is below that found normally in large U.S. cities. A doctor and nurse are brought aboard for standard clinic-level daily medical needs. No capability exists for treating chronic conditions. Major medical occurrences may result in individuals being placed in a shore-side medical facility and/or repatriation to the U.S. 
  1. Acknowledgement. - Any publication based in whole or in part on research conducted on or with assistance by the Training Ship and Cal Poly Maritime must include appropriate acknowledgment. 
  1. Liability.  Although efforts are made to meet or exceed safety and other standards, there is always the possibility that hazardous situations will be encountered either on-board ship or at sea that may place life, limb, and/or property at risk of harm. Any person traveling aboard the Training Ship pursuant to these guidelines is therefore advised of, and must voluntarily agree to assume, all such potential risks, up to and including death. Prior to embarking, all participants shall be required to sign a full waiver and release, by which the Cal Poly Maritime, its employees, representatives, and students are to be held harmless for any and all injuries suffered by virtue of participating in the Sea Training, except those directly caused by the Cal Poly Maritime's own gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing. 
  1. Applicable Law. All personnel traveling on the Training Ship are subject to accepted maritime law, federal and state statutes, and the rules and regulations of Cal Poly Maritime. Participation in training on the Training Ship by personnel from other CSU campuses and from institutions and agencies not affiliated with the CSU will be subject to approval of the U.S. Maritime Administration.

1333 Procedures for Dependents (including Spouses or Partners) on the The California Maritime Academy Training Ship

As part of the agreement between Cal Poly Maritime and MARAD regarding the use of the Training Ship dependents (including spouses) and relatives of State Maritime Academy officials, faculty and crew are “specifically prohibited” (MA-12062 as amended) from being aboard the Training Ship while underway for training or maintenance.

However, dependents are allowed on the training vessel when in port, including Vallejo, at no cost to the Academy. Children must be at least nine (9) years of age to board the training ship.  There are other underway trips such as the Day on the Bay, special recruiting trips or orientation trips for state and local officials when dependents and guests may be aboard the ship, however this requires prior written approval from MARAD. 

AUTHORITY: Superintendent

REVISED DATE: 17 August 2026

SCOPE: This policy applies to all undergraduate baccalaureate students

POLICY OWNER/CAMPUS CONTACT: Superintendent