Cal Poly Maritime Academy’s Training Ship Golden Bear (TSGB) is where cadets bring Learn by Doing to life—on campus and at sea. Each summer, first- and third-year cadets spend two months aboard the 500-foot vessel, applying technical knowledge from the classroom and leadership skills from the Corps of Cadets. Guided by licensed faculty officers, they take on real-world responsibilities—navigating the Pacific and beyond while gaining firsthand experience at sea and on shore.
Summer At Sea
Summer Sea Term helps students build global awareness, apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and prepares them to lead in an international maritime environment. Through Learn by Doing at sea, cadets' practical experiences bridge theory and application. In 2025, cadets aboard Training Ship Golden Bear gained firsthand experience by docking in Kauai, Guam, and Japan, engaging with a variety of maritime communities and honing their skills in different operational settings.
New Training Ship
Our brand-new training ship scheduled to arrive on campus in late 2026 to early 2027. This vessel is part of the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) program, a fleet of five ships designed to support both maritime training and emergency response. Our ship will be the fifth in the series and marks a significant step forward in modernizing our training capabilities.
Captain Samar Bannister
A Cal Poly Maritime Academy ’00 graduate in Marine Transportation, Captain Samar Bannister spent more than 14 years at sea with Maersk and Ocean Ships, supporting missions including Operation Iraqi Freedom. A licensed Master Mariner, she now returns as Captain of the Training Ship Golden Bear—eager to mentor future mariners and give back to her alma mater.
Fleet History
Our current training ship is the third in a series of vessels used for maritime training. The fleet began with Training Ship California State (1931–1946), followed by the first Training Ship Golden Bear (1946–1971), the second Training Ship Golden Bear (1971–1995), and the third and current Training Ship Golden Bear, which has been in service since 1996.