The weather was perfect when the Mexican Navy’s sail training ship, Cuauhtémoc, arrived in Seward on August 29. The sun was shining and there were many people at the Seward Harbor excited to welcome it.
The vessel acts as a classroom at sea for cadets. They learn traditional sail navigation, how to use a sextant, and astronomy. After mastering these skills, they move on to modern navigation technology.
While touring the ship, Sol de Medianoche spoke with Paulina, a cadet who is on a three-month training voyage and shared some of her experiences.
The trip started in Acapulco, Guerrero, and their first stop was Honolulu, Hawaii. The Cuauhtémoc has been sailing for about six weeks, including a 17-day stretch from Honolulu. Next, they are headed to Victoria, Canada, and will stop in San Francisco and San Diego before returning to Acapulco on October 15, 2026.
With a crew of about 280 people, including sailors, cadets, and officers, there is even a female captain on the Cuauhtémoc. Most cadets come from cities along the Mexican coast. The ship uses sails and wind for power, but it also uses a diesel engine when needed.
Sailing and Storms
When storms hit, the ship can catch more wind to go faster. The main masts, called the “mayor” and “trinquete” (foremast), each have five square sails, one on each horizontal spar. The crew adjusts these and other sails depending on the wind. Handling the sails means climbing high up the masts, which can be scary at first but gets easier with practice. The crew always puts safety and the well-being of everyone on board first, Paulina tells us.
Training and Readiness
This is Paulina’s second trip on the training ship. Her first voyage focused more on theory, but this one is all about hands-on experience. She feels ready to take on navigation duties and is confident in her skills. When storms come, everyone is on duty, working in four-hour shifts. About twenty-five people handle navigation during each shift, no matter the weather. The crew is prepared for all kinds of conditions, from rain to intense winds, and they have special gear for big temperature changes, like the cold they are facing in Alaska.
Personal Experience and Motivation
Paulina’s grandfather, a diver in the Mexican Navy, inspired her interest in the sea. His background sparked her passion for sailing and navigation. She loves being out on the water and recently saw Orca whales for the first time during the trip.
Her Message to Mexicans Abroad
Paulina believes that Mexican culture has a strong presence wherever Mexicans live. She feels that Mexicans are always recognized and will find their way to other Mexicans, no matter where they are; she has experienced this firsthand, she stated.
Cuauhtémoc, the three-masted, 297-foot-long ship spreads goodwill and helps build diplomatic ties around the world. It has visited Seward three times—in 2005, 2014, and 2026—and has been sailing the globe since 1982.
This live interview was transcribed using ScreenApp.
