According to the Great Lakes Division Sea Cadet program based in Detroit, the program provides real-life experiences in maritime tradition, underwater exploration, and shipboard training. The program leads missions through the Great Lakes in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Noble Odyssey Foundation (NOF), a Michigan nonprofit that aims to advance public knowledge of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Division also states that its organization was created to help young people find a passion for the Great Lakes.

According to the NOF, the Great Lakes Division has been using research and training vessels from the nonprofit for 50 years. Led by Captain Luke Clyburn, the foundation brings scientists, educators, volunteers, and youth together to conduct and/or support underwater projects across the Great Lakes.

Clyburn told The News that cadets range from elementary to high school age.

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz Keaton Wolf, a cadet on board the Pride of Michigan, gave The News a tour of the vessel. Wolf said cadets sleep and study on the vessel.

“They are actually (participating in) sea training and learning how to operate a ship, but also (to) dive,” Clyburn said. “Our main purpose is really to develop the next generation of young people that are going to take care of our fresh water. So we’re diving on shipwrecks … they learned from NOAA to measure.”

Clyburn said that the TBNMS has been a consistent partner for the NOF and the Sea Cadet program.

“NOAA”s been a big support of ours,” Clyburn said. “Since we’ve been in operation here. This is our 50th year.”

Clyburn said that he’s been involved with the NOF and the Sea Cadet program for 50 years. He became a captain of NOF vessels because of his love of sailing.

“Getting to know (and) getting familiar with water … I think you can get addicted,” Clyburn said. “I got addicted to water.”

News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz The Pride of Michigan is seen docking behind the Great Lakes Heritage Center Building. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary supports the sea cadet program and project they work on in The Great Lakes.

A senior cadet on board the Pride of Michigan, Vinnie Dzigowski, said that he’s learned a lot while participating in the program.

“I’ve learned a lot of good things that I think will help me for my future,” Dzigowski said. ” I’ve been scuba diving. I’ve been doing a lot of helping teach people.”

Dzigowski said that overall, he is learning to dive better.

Keaton Wolf, another cadet on board, said that he’s been part of the program for a few years. Wolf gave The News a tour of the Pride of Michigan and showed where the cadets sleep and study.

“My favorite part of the sea cadets would probably be the scuba diving and leadership skills that I’m learning for my future … (for a) future job,” Wolf said. “I would like to go into the Coast Guard.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.