II , which hails from Galveston, Texas, has cruised the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean in an effort to give Marine Academy students a taste of life at sea. The 300-foot vessel, which is fresh from Newfoundland, Canada, specialises in training students who are pursuing a career in either marine biology, marine law, marine transportation or marine administration. According to students on board the vessel, including marine transportation major Orrin Battle, the courses and maintenance of the ship are "extremely intense.'' Mr.

Battle said the students were looking forward to some much needed rest while in port in Bermuda. "We've been sailing since Newfoundland,'' he said.

"Sometimes we average only three or four hours of sleep a night.'' The 20-year-old sophomore added that he was pleased to finally get the opportunity to apply his classroom studies to real life experiences and sailing techniques. "Basically we (the cadets) are running the ship,'' he said.

"They divide the sophomores, juniors and seniors and we have a chance to get hands-on training in the field.'' Mr. Battle noted this was his first time sailing on the ocean and said that his ultimate goal was to pilot ships internationally. "Pilots are like the cream of the crop,'' he said. "It's a really hard job to get into, but the challenge has been good.'' Mr. Battle said his semester on the high seas had been a very different experience compared to land living. "It's kind of different,'' he said. "Sometimes you are constantly sailing and won't see land for weeks, but we have been very fortunate to hit port for the last couple of weekends.'' Second mate and teacher, Peter Hayes, added he was impressed with the stamina his students have displayed during the voyage. "For most of the students, it's their first time leaving the States,'' he said. "So it was a little hard for them to adjust to being away from home. "We've put an awful lot of work on them but they've been coping really well.'' Mr. Hayes agreed the trip was a good opportunity for his students to get hands on experience and noted that it was a good discipline and character building event for them. "At this point, we turn everything over to them,'' he said. "They're finding out that it is really hard work running a ship, but they've just excelled.'' The Texas Clipper II was docked at Penno's Wharf in St. George's and left Monday for Puerto Rico.

So far Mr. Battle said the training cruise has been smooth sailing.

For all the hard work that they do, the results have been worth the effort, he added.

"It's a lot of fun,'' he said.

"Yeah, we do a lot of complaining about the work and wanting to go home, but this has definitely been a worthwhile experience.'' Semester at sea: The Texas Clipper II is shown docked alongside Penno's Wharf in the east end. The ship is visiting from Galveston, Texas, and is part of Texas A&M University's maritime training programme. The ship, which leaves on Monday, is carrying nearly 200 students who were treated to a port of call in Bermuda.