Seattle Maritime Academy Students Compete in Saturday Marine Events
During a time of tight employment and economic uncertainty, prospective college students may be interested to learn about jobs in the maritime industry which will be discussed during the 14th Annual Maritime Career Day on Saturday, May 11, at Pier 66, on the Downtown Seattle Waterfront.
Employment within the industry was projected to grow 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Faculty and students from the Seattle Maritime Academy, a division of Seattle Central Community College, will be on hand from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to provide information about their programs.
Students from the Seattle Maritime Academy will also participate in a boatbuilding contest, tugboat race and survival suit race. See below. Other events include a Fire Boat Display, Tugboat Ballet, Abandon Ship Demonstration, Workboat Parade, Class C Limited Tug Race, Class B Harbor Tug Race and Fireboat Firefighting Demonstration. Beyond strictly maritime activities, the family-friendly event also features a poetry slam contest and best-chowder contest.
Often categorized as the best kept secret in town, the maritime industry generates 25 percent of the jobs in this region, and the growth in international trade is expected to increase those opportunities statewide.
The Seattle Maritime Academy (SMA) trains students for a career at sea through one-year programs in Marine Deck Technology and Marine Engineering Technology. The program offers real world training at sea and is fully accredited by the U.S. Coast Guard. Both programs conclude with a mandatory 30 to 90-day at-sea internship aboard a large commercial vessel, and upon completion, graduates are eligible to upgrade to Ablebodied Seaman or Qualified Member of the Engine room Department.
All SMA instructors are experienced maritime professionals who prepare students through a combination of classroom instruction, experiential learning, on-water training and professional development. The Marine Deck Technology and Marine Engineering Technology, programs serve Washington and Alaska.
In addition to its formal programs, SMA also provides contracted training to private sector companies, government agencies, military units and unions. The format and scope of instruction is customized to meet specialized training needs.
Boatbuilding Contest
SMA students and all other participants must adhere to the following rules and guidelines: All materials must be on-site as purchased, and there is a $100 cost limit, which includes oars and paddles. Teams must supply receipts for all materials. No pre-marking, cutting, etc. will be allowed. Teams must bring their own tools for boat-building, as well as relevant safety equipment. The availability of electrical power on-site is limited. Teams will be restricted to 15
amps total power usage.
Each team will be provided with a 10’x20’canopy, which defines the building area. All construction, materials, trash and tools must be confined to a team’s building area. Teams may bring paper plans of any size, including full-size templates, but wood or metal templates are not permitted. SMA students will bring their logo to display on the completed boat. Students will have from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to build their boat and racing will begin at 4 p.m. Boats must be solely human-powered. All SMA team members must be in their boat during the race.
Three trophies will be awarded, including the Marty Johnson Memorial Quickest Boat Trophy to the winner of the race; the “Dirtiest Boat” Trophy to the boat that best exemplifies the spirit of the Quick & Dirty Competition in the judges’ opinion; and the best student team. Any boat that sinks or swamps during the races will be disqualified. Last year’s SMA team won the 2012 “Dirtiest Boat” Trophy and has entered the competition again this year.
Tugboat Race
The Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival is the largest tugboat race in the world. This year, the 28th Annual competition is expected to host more than 30 boats. Boats will race from Grain Terminal, Pier 86, to the finish line at Pier 66. The Seattle Maritime Academy training vessel, T/V MARITIME INSTRUCTOR, will have the lead boat position in the tugboat race.
Survival Suit Race
Students will also participate in the World Invitational Survival Suit Race, which starts at 11 a.m. at Bell Harbor Marina, Pier 66. Four-member teams are timed putting on survival suits, jumping into the water, swimming to a life raft and climbing aboard. The fastest team wins a trophy. Survival suits will be provided for use during the event.
For more information about the Seattle Maritime Academy:
Deneva Flath
206-934-2647.
dflath@sccd.ctc.edu