Maritime Orientation Checklist

Prepare for Your Maritime Journey

Complete the following steps to get ready for your Orientation at Cal Poly Maritime Academy. 

Pre-Arrival Checklist 

• Become familiar with your Cal Poly email account. You will receive official university communications and information about Orientation, so be sure to check it regularly. 
• Complete the reading material that will be emailed to you by early June. 
• By July 20, save your student ID number and email it to portpassphoto@csum.edu. Upload a photo for Portpass, your campus ID card. 
• Complete your health forms. 
• Complete Title IX training. Instructions will be sent via email. 
• Compile your Orientation uniform with items not included in the seabag (socks and athletic shoes). 

Cadets Only 

• Fill out the sizing chart for Cadet Uniforms. 
• Ensure you are within grooming standards. 
• Review the below swim assessment requirements. 

Swim Assessment  

Incoming students in licensure majors as well as oceanography must complete a swim assessment during orientation week. This assessment fulfills a prerequisite for Marine Safety and Survival programs and the shipboard training required after your first year. 

Why We Assess 

The results determine your readiness for intensive water-based training: 

• Credit (CR): You may proceed immediately to advanced training. 
• Remedial Instruction: If you do not pass, you will enroll in PE 100 (Beginning/Intermediate Swimming) to build the necessary fundamentals before advancing. 

Assessment Requirements 

The test is not timed, but it must be completed without stopping. Cadets will be asked to swim four lengths (100 meters) of a 25-meter pool, using the following strokes in order: 

1. Breaststroke (1 length) 
2. Backstroke (1 length) 
3. Sidestroke (1 length) 
4. Swimmer’s Choice (1 length) 
5. Underwater Swim: A short distance demonstration. 

Important Tips 

• Goggles: In line with emergency protocols (where goggles wouldn't be available), goggles are not permitted for the assessment. 
• Exceptions: If you wear contacts or have a medical condition requiring goggles, you must provide your own. 
• Practice: We strongly encourage all students to practice these strokes prior to arrival, especially if you have concerns about your swimming ability.