Maritime shares in $400,000 grant
Seattle Maritime Academy students, thanks to a partnership with the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Island Tug and Barge, will take part in a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) for a demonstration project aimed at reducing harmful diesel emissions.
The federal grant, is one of only three given nationwide, and the only one in the Northwest. It is the first time the Maritime Administration has awarded competitive grant funding for environmental innovation projects.
The grant will support a student internship program between the Academy and Seattle-based Island Tug and Barge, providing students with field-based training, experience and potential employment. Qualified students will work as apprentices to replace the 34-year-old engines of a company tugboat, Island Chief, with low-sulfur diesel engines.