Climb aboard YP 700, a US Naval Academy training vessel where midshipmen take a maritime version of driver's ed
Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy undergo practical shiphandling training using yard patrol craft known as YP 700. This hands-on curriculum replaces traditional classroom theory with real-world navigation and boat management experience.
Why it matters
Practical maritime training is essential for developing competent naval officers capable of managing complex vessel operations.
USNA midshipmen learn shiphandling in special boats called YP 700. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy learn seamanship on training vessels called yard patrol craft. After classroom instruction, midshipmen take trips where they manage every aspect of the journey. Yard patrol craft YP 700 features a pilothouse, racks, a galley, and a common area. At the United States Naval Academy , every midshipman learns to drive. Their driver's ed curriculum doesn't involve slow circles in empty parking lots or parallel parking tests. Instead, the future naval leaders learn how to drive, steer, and navigate a ship by going out on the water and doing just that. After midshipmen learn the basics of navigation, boat handling, man-overboard maneuvers, and standard commands in the classroom, they put their knowledge into practice on training vessels known as yard patrol craft.
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