The Naval Academy was founded in 1845 by the Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, in what is now historic Annapolis, MD. The history of the Academy has often reflected the history of the United States itself. As the U.S. Navy has moved from a fleet of sail and steam-powered ships to a high tech fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and surface ships as well as supersonic aircraft, the Academy has changed also.

The Naval Academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation.Every day, as the undergraduate college of the naval service, the United States Naval Academy strives to accomplish its mission to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally, and physically.”

Information Courtesy U.S. Naval Academy

Use NOAA Charts 12283 and 12282.

Annapolis and the U.S. Naval Academy are is located up the Severn River from Chesapeake Bay. Flashing red “4” marks the approach to Annapolis from the Severn River. Once you have cleared this mark, follow flashing green buoy “5,” and them make sure to give flashing white “HP” (marking the Horn Point Shoal) a wide berth.

Heading farther up the Severn River, mor and more of the “back side” of the U.S. Naval Academy becomes visible, as does the Naval Academy Yacht Basin, where the sailing teams for the academy operate out of (sailing is a mandatory requirement at the academy). This basin is off limits to the public and trying to enter will meet with a swift and aggressive meeting with U.S. Navy guards. Stay back a distance and enjoy the view.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

U.S. Naval Academy