Maine Maritime Students Make The Jump

This looks crazy to me but they say it is a rite of passage for these young people who are dedicating their lives to the sea.  Turns out this has been going on for quite some time.

I don't know if you have ever seen the State Of Maine in person but I have and I can tell you that is no short drop. What the Maine Maritime Academy has to say about the practice is the:

Ship Jump

Each fall, first-year students gather at the stern of the ship for an official “jump” into their life as a Mariner. The group, having been through training, literally jumps off the ship. This tradition began in 1960 when the academic program expanded from 3 to 4 years and has become a rite of passage for each new Mariner. It is a bonding experience, a confidence booster, and a preparatory requirement for safety at sea.

So before you plan a life at sea you'd better learn how to swim.