10/20/2026
On October 19th 2026, in conjunction with the Washington State Ferries, the USNSCC Orion Squadron had the unique opportunity to get underway and experience life with the ferries!
Our cadets were given unique access to ferry operations both ashore and afloat. They ran damage control drills, dressed out in firefighting gear, and explored all of the different firefighting equipment across the vessel.
The cadets were able to tour the pilot house, learning about the USCG Rules of the Road & how these vessels safely navigate Puget Sound waterways to transport millions of guests each year.
Along with this, they were also granted access to the engineering spaces. They were able to learn from the team how the ferry’s propulsion plant works & really experience life below decks.
This experience could not have been made possible without the cooperation of the Washington State Ferries. Thank you for giving our cadets a great insight into jobs at sea! We would also like to give a shout out to:
Adam Dahl, WSDOT Ferry
Chuck Ferrell, WSDOT Ferry
M/V Tilikum, Captain & Crew
M/V Yakima, Captain & Crew
Are you aged 10-17 and want to start a real adventure? Consider the Sea Cadets! Visit us at our website for more details on how to join.
https://www.seacadets.org
