Enrolled Students: Preliminary Information
On this page: Required Documents and Forms | Housing | Travel Arrangements | Academics on Shore | Instructions and Recommendations
Please read the following carefully. It is important that you consider your preparations well in advance and complete most/all requirements before you get to campus. Once you arrive on campus, your time will be spent in rigorous course schedules which will allow little time for the completion of those requirements. Additional information concerning your class will be sent approximately a month before the program begins.
Required Documents and Forms
Student Contract and Liability Release. Send this to SEA, ATTN: Student Services within three weeks of your acceptance along with your $750 deposit. You may send a check payable to Sea Education Association or you may charge your deposit/payments by contacting our Business Office at 800-552-3633 x 42, or you may pay On-Line. Note carefully the conditions of the contract. Keep a copy for your records.
Check the “Expense” Sheet for schedule of payments.
Medical Record. You must have a complete physical not more than 90 days prior to your program. It is extremely important to communicate any needs for special accommodations Return the form, properly completed and signed by you and a licensed physician to SEA, ATTN: Student Services.
IMPORTANT: All medical issues must be brought to the attention of SEA. Without proper authorization, a medical officer or doctor may be unable to render vital treatment ashore or at sea. Please notify us if you have been exposed to a contagious disease, or if any change in your health occurs between the time of your physical exam and the beginning of your program. Be sure to consult your doctor and SEA if there is any possible medical reason that would prevent you from engaging fully in activities at sea or ashore. If you require regular medication, bring an adequate supply and store with the medical officer while on board ship.
Insurance Verification. SEA does not carry medical insurance for students and accepts no liability for medical costs. You MUST have coverage for sickness, accident and hospitalization on shore as well as at sea. At least one foreign port will be visited; subsequently, it is imperative that your coverage extends to foreign areas. Be sure the information provided on your SEA Medical Record and Student Information is current and complete.
THE MEDICAL RECORD IS DUE IN THE OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES NO MORE THAN THREE MONTHS AND NO LESS THAN ON MONTH PRIOR TO YOUR CLASS.
Passports. It is imperative that you have a passport for your sea component. You need to mail us a copy of your passport along with your housing reservation form prior to arrival. If you do not have a passport apply immediately as it takes 4-6 weeks to process. You must inform us if you are not a US citizen. You will also need to find out if visa’s are needed for your port stops.
Housing
All students are expected to live on campus in the houses provided. Each house accommodates 10 students. Please take note of the following:
- Students provide their own food and do their own cooking in fully equipped kitchens. The cost of food is not included in the cost of housing. Students in individual houses will plan menus, shop, cook, and clean after meals as a team.
- Each student is provided with a pillow and one blanket. Please bring bed linens and towels. There are laundry facilities. Rooms have desks and storage areas.
- No Pets.
- Students may bring cars to campus. A bicycle is helpful to have during the Shore Component (spring, summer, fall).
- On board ship, you will share space with up to 35 people. Your bunk will line the inside of the ship somewhere between the bow and the stern. Each bunk has two small storage areas. Below deck you will also find the main salon, common area enjoyed by all, galley, library, and engine room. Above deck…the bridge, navigational house and science lab. Though there is very little personal space, your ship and shipmates become your home and family for six weeks.
Travel Arrangements
Shore. Sea’s Campus is located at 171 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA., equidistant between Falmouth and Woods Hole. You may use either Boston’s Logan International Airport or T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, RI to fly into the region. Both airports are approximately 75 miles from Falmouth.
Bus. Peter Pan Bus Lines www.peterpanbus.com, 800-556-3815, serves Logan International Airport. Buses leave each terminal outside the baggage claim areas. Tickets may be purchased on board the bus. T.F Green does not have direct transportation to Falmouth from the airport, you must get to the bus terminal in Providence in order to get transportation to Cape Cod. Once you get to Falmouth or Woods Hole, you can take a taxi to the SEA campus (a 5 minute ride).
Joining the ship. Students should plan to join the SSV Corwith Cramer or SSV Robert C. Seamans between 2:00 and 4:00 pm on the designated day of departure. Make your travel arrangements accordingly. You will not be allowed to sign aboard unless you have passed all shore component courses, paid your tuition, and submitted to SEA the required forms noted above.
Itinerary. The precise itinerary and intermediate ports of your cruise will depend upon weather conditions, vessel maintenance or repair needs, the unpredictable timing of scientific projects, etc. Though scheduled arrival and departure times are normally met, they are subject to change or delay.
Port Calls. On the average, five to six days are spent in port during each sea component. While ashore, including Woods Hole, you are guests in the community. The dictates of common sense and courtesy should be followed - presentable appearance, politeness, respect for local laws and customs, and mature behavior.
Leaving the Ship. The ships typically arrive as scheduled on the morning of the last day of your cruise by 9:00 AM. Allow time to clear Customs and for travel to the airport.
Tickets. Tickets for travel to and from the ship should be secured in advance. You will receive detailed information specific to your voyage prior to program start. Return tickets may be deposited with the Captain for safekeeping during the cruise.
Academics on Shore
Students participate in five academic courses centered around classroom learning; Oceanography, Nautical Science, and Maritime Studies are taught on shore. Morning classes are held Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 12 noon. Afternoon nautical and science labs, maritime discussion groups, and research proposal preparation typically last three to four hours. All classes are held on the SEA campus. On most days you will be in class from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Practical Oceanography I & II are taught at sea.
- Registration. Students are registered with Boston University upon arrival. Students from affiliated institutions remain registered at their home schools.
- Transcripts. Official transcripts are available from Boston University upon completion of the program. Transcripts from SEA are sent directly to affiliated institutions. Information regarding this process will follow the sea component. A full semester of transfer credit is awarded.
- Computers. SEA has a computer lab with 15 IBM PC’s. Internet access is available from these computers. You will be able to access your home school email account if your school allows access from outside your home campus. If you have a personal laptop computer, you may bring it for the shore component. They are not recommended at sea. SEA’s ships are equipped with computers for research purposes only.
- Books. Your “All Inclusive” Fee covers rental of books.
Libraries & Labs. SEA’s campus classrooms, library and laboratory are at students’ disposal. Students also have access to the world renowned Marine Biological Laboratory’s (www.mbl.edu) library 24 hours a day. Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (www.whoi.edu), National Marine Fisheries, (www.nmsf.noaa.gov) and U.S. Geological Survey (www.usgs.gov) are visiting lecturers
Instructions and Recommendations
Physical Conditioning. Get in shape before joining the ship. You will enjoy the cruise more and be a healthier, more effective participant. You will also be less subject to stress and injury.
Diet. SEA is unable to arrange for special diets or eating habits. Students may not bring food or cook their own individual meals aboard ship. Vegetarians and people accustomed to health foods must be cautioned that canned and processed foods are used frequently at sea. Life aboard ship can be strenuous. Consult your doctor for further advice. Also, inform SEA of dietary restrictions if necessary.
Money. You will require money for expenses while traveling to and from the ship. Most students bring extra cash to make small purchases in port, experience local cuisine, etc. The ship cannot cash checks. Money may be deposited with the Captain in the ship's safe.
Mail. Correspondence and packages may be sent to SEA during the Shore Component. The mailing address for correspondence and packages is SEA, P.O. Box 6, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Please note the Class #. The street address for SEA is 171 Woods Hole Rd. Falmouth, MA 02540. This address should be used for shipping packages via any courier service. PLEASE NOTE: Rarely, we are able to forward letters (never packages) to you at sea; but in any case, all letters received for you while at sea will be delivered to you at final point of departure.
Telephone. SEA's main office telephone number is (800) 552-3633. During shore component, there is a telephone in each student house. These telephone extension numbers will be provided with housing assignments when you arrive. Long distance calls may be made with a calling card. During sea component, the ship maintains a daily radio-telephone schedule with the SEA office. Routine personal messages will not be transmitted; however, emergency messages may be passed through the Marine Office to the ship.
Emergency Contact. During working hours call (800) 552-3633. Home phone numbers of SEA Administrators and/or Faculty for emergency only will be given to you upon arrival in Woods Hole. Please send these numbers to your family.
Check Cashing. SEA has an arrangement with a local bank (Bank North) that allows you to cash personal checks. There is a $100 limit. You will be required to have your check authorized by SEA prior to cashing.
Communication with Family. As a courtesy please try to keep your family informed of your activities and whereabouts. They will appreciate telephone calls and letters. Upon final departure from the ship making them aware of your travel plans/itinerary becomes mandatory!
Communication with SEA. Be sure to call or write the Student Service Office – Dale Dean x35 (ddean@sea.edu) or Maryanne Richards x26 (mrichard@sea.edu) - if you have any questions. Please keep us informed of any changes in your plans prior to the beginning of your class (including address and phone changes).
Parents. Please ask your parents to join us on Orientation Day! Parents are welcome to attend student orientation after which they will be greeted by the President, John Bullard at a Parents Reception. At that time they will meet faculty and staff as well as other parents, and have the opportunity to ask questions
.We will provide information regarding communication while you are on campus and at sea. Parents are especially interested in your sailing itinerary; be sure to keep them updated during your shore component. While you are sea, they will be able to track your progress on our website.
