A new training ship is in the possession of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine to help ready future sailors for a career on the water.
According to a statement from the school:
STATE OF MAINE is the third of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels(NSMV) built for the US Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration (MARAD). The NSMV program ushered in a new era in maritime training with five, identical, purpose-built training ships for state maritime academies in Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and California. The secondary mission of STATE OF MAINE and the other NSMVs is to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) to areas of the world impacted by natural or man-made disasters.
STATE OF MAINE was officially named (christened) on 26 August 2025. The ship arrived in Portland ME for her first home-state port call on 21 March 2026 and operation of STATE OF MAINE was officially turned over to Maine Maritime Academy at a ceremony held on 30 March 2026.
The previous ships to bear the name STATE OF MAINE were ex-USNS COMFORT, ex-SS ANCON, ex-USNS UPSHUR, ex-USNS TANNER. Ex-TANNER is still in service under the ready reserve fleet and is now named M/V ZERA L. TANNER.
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