BUZZARDS BAY – The Massachusetts Maritime Academy training ship, the T.S. Kennedy left its dock this morning for a six-week sea term after being delayed Saturday because of high winds.
The ship departed the Academy in Buzzards Bay at about 6:30 a.m.
The delay was the first for the annual sea term in 20 years, according to Academy President Adm. Richard Gurnon.
Winds up to 35 knots — about 40 miles per hour — Saturday afternoon prompted the decision to postpone the departure. The window for sailing the ship away from the dock is up to 25 knots for safety reasons, according to Gurnon.
This year’s freshman class was the largest ever to embark on their sea term training. There were 603 cadets, and another 100 in staff, faculty and crew onboard the T.S. Kennedy.
The voyage through the Caribbean includes stops in Curacao, Barbados, Columbia and Miami, Fla. before the ship returns to Buzzards Bay Feb. 23.