William Sherrill ’26 – Cadet Master
Preparations for this summer’s training cruise are well underway—and our student leadership is stepping up. Today, we’re highlighting William Sherrill, our Cadet Master and the highest-ranking student officer aboard the ship.
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What are you looking forward to this summer?
I’m looking forward to working with cadets from @texasmaritime. This summer presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between our two academies. The partnership we build this year will lay the foundation for next summer’s joint voyage aboard the new TS State of Maine.
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What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before your first summer sea term?
Before my freshman cruise, I wish someone had told me not to overpack. There were several items of clothing I never even wore. That said, I highly recommend bringing a few good books—reading is one of the best ways to unwind at sea.
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Which port are you most excited to visit, and why?
I’m especially looking forward to Belfast, Northern Ireland. During my 4/C training cruise, the State of Maine docked there for several days. I really enjoyed exploring the city and visiting the Titanic Museum. There’s so much fascinating history and plenty of beautiful hiking in the surrounding countryside.
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Why did you apply for a ship rate position, and what do you hope to learn?
I applied for a ship rate position because I saw it as the best way to build leadership experience while helping others grow. I’ve really valued my time at sea, and I want to pass on the skills I’ve learned and the lessons I’ve gained.
Latest 2025 Summer TSSOM Cruise
- A Day in Belfast IrelandHello! Belfast Ireland is unique in that all of the second class Maine students came here our freshman cruise, and while I thought that would be a negative… I was so wrong! I thought I had exhausted things to do freshman year, and I was wrong again. I had heard about some people doing a […]
- Stronger Ties FormedCadets aboard the TS Kennedy spent the past 10 days underway, sailing between New York City and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Students enjoyed calm seas for most of the leg but were stuck under overcast skies, much to the chagrin of the upper-class deck cadets who are actively trying to complete their celestial navigation project. This […]
- Running Smooth in Belfast: A Cruise Check-In from the Cadet Chief EngineerI’m Jacob Nowalsky, the cruise Lead Engine Cadet from Maine, and Maine’s Cadet Chief Engineer. Things have been going pretty well onboard! After being in port in Galveston, everyone was excited to finally get to sea, and now that we’re wrapping up our 2nd leg and are here in Belfast, people are fully into the […]
- Switching to the Engine RoomOur second leg of our Summer Sea Term 2025 cruise has been really fun! During this leg to Belfast from New York, we saw a lot of whales, flying fish, and other marine life. We also recently just hit our halfway point, which means Maine Maritime cadets switched deck/engine focuses on cruise. From 5 May […]
- From Celestial Navigation to Food Grinding: Embracing Every RoleAs we’ve embarked on our journey aboard the Kennedy, it’s been a great experience watching everyone settle into shipboard life. As a junior, I’ve been focusing on celestial navigation, taking on senior-level watches, and experiencing significant personal growth as a leader. These experiences have helped unite the Maine and Texas communities on board. A few […]
- From Hesitation to Hands-On Learning: Life at Sea on the KennedyMy experiences on the Training Ship Kennedy have been phenomenal so far. I came onto the ship with adverse thoughts, with the ship being from the 1960s, and cruising with another maritime academy. However, the Kennedy proved me wrong! I have met a lot of new people with different experiences and shared different aspects that […]