Seamester
Sea -mester Global Programs is an organization which offers academic, abroad programs on board two sailing vessels, Ocean Star and Argo. Sea~mester began running programs in 1998 as an extension from its sister organization ActionQuest. Full semester course are offered on board including Oceanography, Marine Biology, Professional Skipper Certification Training, Leadership, Basic Seamanship, and Independent Research Project. Courses are accredited through the State College of Florida (SCF).
Mission
Sea-mester is an institution dedicated to the facilitation and development of practical watermanship skills and defining of academic interests in ocean and earth science, while offering college credit and promoting personal growth, teamwork and leadership through a distinctive, experiential educational program based upon active participation and individual support.[1]
History
Sea~mester ran its first program in 1998 aboard two Beneteau monohulls. In 1999, Sea~mester acquired the schooner Ocean Star and began running 80-day programs with high school graduates and college students.
Ocean Star sails throughout the Caribbean, from Tortola to Grenada. Occasionally, Ocean Star sails with another monohull or catamaran, allowing berths for over 25 students.
The steady growth of Sea~mester with Ocean Star allowed for the expansion of its fleet with the design and construction of the schooner S/Y Argo. Argo was built in Samut Prakan, Thailand and completed in June 2006. Since then, Argo has been making her way around the globe with students. She is completed her first circumnavigation of the Earth in December 2008 and was hoping to start her second during the spring of 2009. Unfortunately the vessel was unable to secure an escort from the US Navy or EU coalition through the pirate infested waters of the Gulf of Aden and had to head back to Asia to wait out the Monsoon season in order to sail south to Cape Town. Argo is now undertaking her second circumnavigation via Cape Town.