Office of the Captain of the Training Ship Golden Bear and Director of Marine Programs and Leadership Development

Welcome to the Office of the Captain of the Training Ship Golden Bear, and Director of Marine Programs and Leadership Development. This area oversees much of what makes Cal Maritime such a unique learning environment.

Training Ship Golden Bear

The Training Ship Golden Bear serves as the primary training platform on which cadets apply technological skills introduced in the classroom and leadership skills acquired from their work assignments and responsibilities with the Corps of Cadets. Each summer, cadets in their first and third years depart with licensed faculty officers for two months during the Annual Training Cruise. During these periods at sea, intellectual learning, applied technology, and leadership development blend daily as cadets apply what they have learned in the classroom, in the lab, in the Corps, and on the waterfront.

We are very excited about our new multi-million dollar Navigation Laboratory onboard the training ship. We are in the process of providing the Lab with “state of the art” navigation equipment, which will result in the finest navigation training platform available in the country. 

While onboard their training voyage onboard the Golden Bear, cadets who are working toward a license can feel the responsibility of command, demonstrate their effectiveness as leaders, and refine their technical skills and leadership styles. All cadets, whether in the license programs or not, can interact with other countries and cultures to learn about the peoples who are their hosts. They can also experience connections to the larger global maritime environment and develop an understanding of how their selected vocations will function in the context of an international setting. In this way the cruises enhance the global awareness of cadets as they apply the intellectual and practical training they have received during the school year.

Office of Marine Programs

The Office of Marine Programs manages all shipboard and waterfront training and the professional development of cadets. Perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities cadets are exposed to while at CMA is the training that takes place out of Cal Maritime's historic boathouse and marina. Students train on everything from rowboats to work boats to tug boats, and on the Training Ship Golden Bear. We are very proud of our excellent small boat program, which is arguably the best small boat handling program in the nation. 

Marine Programs also manages the summer cruise taken by cadets in their first and third years. This is an excellent opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the essence of shipboard life. Not only do they learn every aspect of operating an ocean going ship, they also visit exciting foreign ports throughout the Pacific Rim. 

The Office of Marine Program also arranges the training following the sophomore year of our licensed-track cadets. This is the time when many of these cadets embark on a commercial ship for an opportunity to experience the professional side of the maritime industry. 

Cal Maritime's Office of Marine Programs may be reached at 707-654-1211.

Office of Leadership Development

The Department of Leadership Development is focused in two primary areas:  leadership development program implementation and the Corps of Cadets oversight.  The Leadership Development Program is designed to provide formal and informal instruction and training opportunities for all cadets.  The program consists of two major components, the Leadership Certification Program and involvement in the Corps of Cadets. 

The California Maritime Academy will provide all cadets with education and experiential opportunities to develop their leadership skill as a core part of their college experience.  The Academy will promote the importance of the Academy’s core values of dedication, honor, integrity, respect, responsibility, and trust in daily life.