California State University Maritime Academy offers a program where students can learn how to sail commercial ships. They get real life experience as sailors living aboard the training ship Golden Bear.
The ship visited San Diego Tuesday, after a two-month voyage in the South Pacific that took its 300 cadets to Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Saipan and Maui.
Cadet Dane Krantz said after his training, he plans to sail commercial vessels.
"It's a great career. Hands on," he said. "I love being outside. I don't think I could do an office job, so I wanted to be active and outside, traveling the ocean."
Krantz said he is interested in working on an oil tanker. Some of his classmates may sail cruise ships and cargo ships, with the potential for a six-figure salary.
