#USschoolship – US students from a schoolship berthed in Cobh have been training at the National Maritime College of Ireland, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 12,524 tonnes schoolship State of Maine as previously reported on Afloat.ie is operated by the Maine Maritime Academy.

240 students had completed exercises in recent days in the college located in Ringaskiddy that faces Cobh.

Among the exercises that took place in the facilities pool, the Damage Repair Unit and the jetty which features a free-fall lifeboat.

State of Maine originally served as USN supply-ship built in 1990 and during her port of call she berthed along Cobh's deepwater cruise-berth quay.

This morning the 143m vessel departed Cork Harbour and is understood to be heading to the for Norfolk, Virginia.