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Jul 9, 2008, 10:53 AM
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OCC launches Professional Mariner program
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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
July 10, 2008
Contact: Mary Roda
(714) 432-5726
Orange Coast College Launches Professional Mariner Career Program
One-of-a-Kind Local Training Will Fill Demand for Qualified, Experienced Deckhands
Orange Coast College will launch a new career program, Professional Mariner that will fill a need for experienced and educated deckhands to work on yachts and small commercial vessels.
The two-semester program is unique in Southern California. The closest entry-level mariner career program is offered by Seattle Maritime Academy, a division of Seattle Central Community College.
The two-semester program will begin in August with its first course offerings, Professional Mariner Level 1 (Marine Activities A151) and Boat Handling Skills (Marine Activities A152). Students will qualify for a Certificate of Achievement following completion of five required courses and three additional elective units in a related field.
Classroom work will take place on the OCC campus in Costa Mesa, while on-the-water training will be coordinated through OCC’s School of Sailing and Seamanship on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. The sailing program is the nation’s leading public recreational boating school with a marina of over 50 boats of all types and sizes.
An additional three courses will be offered this spring: Marine Basic Safety Training, Yachtkeeping and Engine Maintenance, and Navigation for Deckhands. Students completing the Marine Basic Safety Training course will earn the US Coast Guard STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers) Certificate required by many maritime employers.
“A hallmark of these classes will be hands-on training,” explained Mary Menninger, program coordinator. The US Department of Labor reports that qualified deck hands earn up to $3762 a month, not including overtime, she added.
The maritime community has shown strong support for OCC’s professional mariner training, which received funds from Alexander & Baldwin Foundation of Matson Navigation. In addition, 21 maritime professionals are serving on the program’s Advisory Council.
Demand is strong, according to Brad Avery, director of OCC’s marine programs; there is a shortage of qualified crews and captains in the yachting and workboat industries. “There are great careers out there for students who want to operate boats and work hard.”
“There is lots of crew turnover due to lack of proper training,” said Capt. Rick Litchfield, captain of the motor yacht “Mercedes.” Safety, which is emphasized in OCC’s curriculum, is a critical concern cited by employers on the advisory panel.
Scott Culver of Foss Maritime Co. said there are employment opportunities because the tug industry will be losing 60 percent of their crews in the next 10 years due to an aging workforce.
Course fees are $20 per unit, or $360 for the total 18 units required for the certificate. There are some additional on-the-water lab fees.
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Note to Editors: Photos available for download at
http://www.photos.occ.cccd.edu/images/0611081.jpg
http://www.photos.occ.cccd.edu/images/0611082jpg
http://www.photos.occ.cccd.edu/images/0611083.jpg
Orange Coast College, founded in 1947, is one of the nation’s top transfer schools. With a student population of 25,000, OCC provides exemplary programs leading to Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Science degrees and 100 career programs. The college’s 164-acre campus is located in the heart of Costa Mesa. For complete details about OCC, visit http://www.orangecoastcollege.edu.
The OCC School of Sailing and Seamanship is the nation’s leading public recreational boating school with a marina of over 50 boats of all types and sizes.
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