In June the training ship Golden Bear, carrying 250 cadets and operated by the California Maritime Academy, visited ports in Australia and New Zealand during an extended South Pacific training cruise. It is some time since a ship from the academy last visited this part of the world.
According to a report from one of the crew, the present cruise was only possible because the Academy had managed to get some extra fuel money. Golden Bear was built in 1989 as USNS Maury and used for oceanographic research. Removed from naval service in 1994, her role as a training ship commenced in 1996, following two years in lay-up.
