Marine Deck Technology

Certificate

Marine Deck Technology

The Marine Deck Technology Program combines practical shipboard experience and requisite courses in nautical science with additional courses in computation, communication and human relations. Emphasis is placed on the theory, design, operation and maintenance of deck equipment and applied navigation skills. The sea component requires the student to go to sea once a week during the second and third quarters aboard the college's training vessels. The academic program is followed by a 30-day at-sea internship on a large commercial vessel.

Career Opportunities

Students completing this program will have the skills necessary for employment in the maritime industry as professional mariners.

Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the program will

  1. Demonstrate the necessary skills (navigation, vessel operation and safety, Rules of the Road) to obtain a license as Master of Inland Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Tons
  2. Satisfy both the written and practical examination requirements for both the Able Seaman and the Lifeboatman endorsements. Students will receive the Lifeboatman endorsement at graduation
  3. Qualify for an STCW (Standards Training Certification Watchstanding) "ratings forming part of a navigational watch" endorsement
  4. Qualify for a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Near Coastal Uninspected Towing Vessels

Entrance Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent issued by a school in the United States.
  • Testing requirements: writing sample, reading comprehension and math computations.

  • Deck Ratings Eligibility:


    Students desiring to pursue the deck ratings option need to be aware of regulatory qualifications that they must meet in order to be eligible for a deck rating. They will need to satisfy requirements with respect to character, English language competency, physical condition, drug screening, technical knowledge and sea service. For a complete explanation of the requirements for deck ratings please refer to Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, "Subchapter B, Part 12."

  • License Eligibility:


    Students desiring to pursue the license option need to be aware of regulatory qualifications that they must meet in order to be eligible for a Coast Guard license. License candidates will need to satisfy requirements with respect to age, character, citizenship, English language competency, physical condition, drug screening, first aid/CPR training, technical knowledge and recency in sea service. For a complete explanation of license requirements please refer to Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, "Subchapter B, Part 10."

How to Get Started

Estimated Training Costs

Note:

Before SMA students can participate in the at-sea internship, they must obtain the following documents:

  • USCG Merchant Mariners Document
  • U.S. Passport
  • Benzene screening (for tankships)

Additional information can be found on the United States Coast Guard website.

Curriculum

1'st QuarterCr
MGO 101 PRINCIPLES OF MARINE MECHANICS 2
Provides training in proper tool usage including hand tools, power tools (both hand and stationary) and measuring instruments commonly used in mechanical trades. Covers safe work practices, including safety equipment, work procedures, etiquette, and regulatory considerations. Includes fastenings, bearings, seals, gasketing methods and other relevant materials and equipment.
MGO 103 SURVIVAL CRAFT 3
A study of survival craft commonly found aboard ships today. Training in lifeboat operation and handling congruous to that required for the U.S. Coast Guard rating of Lifeboatman. Includes lifeboat nomenclature and equipment, launching procedures, handling by oars, inflatables and other types of lifesaving equipment.
MGO 111 SEAMANSHIP 3
Study in seamanship to prepare for employment aboard ship. Includes training in seamanship congruous to that required for the U.S. Coast Guard rating of Able Seaman (AB). Includes nomenclature, ship structure, vessel equipment, deck fittings, knots and splices, rigging and watchstanding duties.
MGO 112 MARLINSPIKE 2
Practical instruction in use of line, cordage, wire rope and splicing methods. Includes reeving tackles and rigging stages, boatswains' chairs, pilot ladders and emergency steering gear.
MGO 113 MARINE SAFETY 3
Covers basic damage control, marine fire-fighting and other safety topics to prepare for employment in the marine industry. Includes stability changes to a damaged vessel, emergency repairs to hull and vessel systems, proper use of marine fire-fighting equipment, vessel safety equipment, shipboard emergency procedures and survival at sea.
MGO 119 MARINE MATHEMATICS 3
Reviews algebraic and trigonometric methods. Includes the basics of signed numbers, linear equations, fractions, percentages, plane geometry, measurement, and variables which represent additional aspects of mathematics required to solve shipboard problems. Satisfies the General Education Requirement in computation.
MTS 201 NAVAL ARCHITECTURE 2
A survey course in ship design and construction as it relates to all types of vessels. Emphasis on basic naval architecture and management considerations regarding ship structure. Includes hull structure and components, vessel design process, design stresses, tonnage measurements and load line assignments.
MTS 210 MARINE METEOROLOGY 2
A non-mathematical introduction to meteorology with specific emphasis on marine applications. Focuses on ocean weather phenomena as they impact vessel operations and the role of the ship's officer in observing, recording and analyzing developing weather patterns.
2'nd QuarterCr
ENGL 105 APPLIED COMPOSTION 3
Covers skills and strategies needed to meet writing demands in college and on the job.
MGO 123 BASIC PILOTING AND NAVIGATION 3
Introductory course focuses on chart navigation and basic methods of pFocuses on chart navigation and basic methods of piloting with emphasiiloting. Emphasis on the use of charts and nautical publications, thes on use of charts and nautical publications, the IALA “B” buoyage sys IALS "B" buoyage system and solving standard navigation problems. Letem and solving standard navigation problems. Covers how to determine geographic and luminous ranges of lights; correct for compass error, sarn to determine geographic and luminous ranges of lights; correct foret and drift; plot dead reckoning tracks, running fixes and lines of p compass error, set and drift; plot dead reckoning tracks, running fixosition; solve time, speed and distance equations; predict tides and tes and lines of position; solve time, speed and distance equations; predict tides and tidal currents; calculate simple ETA; formulate anchoridal currents; calculate simple ETA; and formulate anchorage procedureage procedures. s.
MGO 133 SEAMANSHIP PRACTICUM 6
Introductory underway practicum. Receive indoctrination to both watchstanding duties and shipboard responsibilities of an able seaman. Perform all deck-related tasks one might expect to encounter when actually at sea. Involves 12-hour voyages weekly aboard SMA's training vessels.
MGO 137 ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION AIDS 2
An introductory course in standard electronic equipment and systems usIntroduces standard electronic equipment and systems used to aid naviged to aid in navigation and communication. Topics covered include radation and communication. Covers radar, gyro compass, depthsounder, Lorar, gyro compass, depthsounder, Loran C, RDF, GPS, GMDSS and radiotelean C, RDF, GPS, GMDSS and radiotelephone. Includes training in radar pphone. Receive specific training in radar piloting and collision avoiiloting and collision avoidance theory using SMA's computer radar simudance theory using SMA's computer radar simulator. lator. (NOTE: This course is not designed to satisfy the requirements of either 46 CFR 10.480 or 15.815. Students pursuing the license option will need to take a USCG-approved radar observer course from an organization so certified by the Coast Guard.)
MGO 140 NAUTICAL RULES OF THE ROAD 3
Comprehensive study of the navigation rules and regulations including purpose, technical provisions and application. Provides a comparative study of the international (COLREGS) and inland (U.S. domestic) rules with emphasis on practical interpretation and application.
MTS 202 STABILITY 2
Covers principles, terms and procedures used in the determination of transverse, longitudinal and damage stability of ships. Includes physical laws affecting a floating body, effects of cargo operations, loose water, fuel consumption, grounding and flooding on vessel stability. Includes analyses of case studies involving loss of stability and how to perform trim and stability calculations.
3'rd QuarterCr
MGO 105 LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 3
Examines relevant concepts and principles in management, leadership and organizational communication as they apply aboard ship. Emphasis on instilling an attitude and work ethic required to realize the objectives of “Social Responsibility” advocated by the STCW Code. Satisfies the General Education Requirement in human relations.
MGO 120 VESSEL MAINTENANCE 2
Practical experience in vessel cleaning maintenance procedures and routine operation of a ship. Tasks include washing, sanding, scaling, chipping, grinding, priming, painting, stenciling and other assigned work both on the interior and exterior of training vessels. Focus on proper technique, optimal resource utilization, cost effectiveness and corrosion prevention.
MGO 124 BASIC VESSEL HANDLING 2
Covers fundamentals of ship handling for small vessels based on single-screw theory. Applied instruction in ship handling techniques includes: backing and filling; “Y-backing”; emergency stopping; flanking; and docking and undocking. Uses a small training vessel.
MGO 166 NAVIGATION PRACTICUM 6
Advanced underway practicum. Under supervision, assume role of mate aboard ship and be responsible for navigating the training vessel and operating all related navigational equipment as well as directing the deck crew while it is underway. Requires demonstration in competency, proficiency and confidence in navigating a vessel without guidance. Includes 12-hour voyages weekly aboard SMA's training vessels.
MTS 223 ADVANCED PILOTING AND NAVIGATION 3
Continuation of MGO 123. Emphasizes advanced aspects of navigation and piloting essential to ocean voyaging. Studies methods for determining ETA of CPA by distance off; learn navigational techniques for ocean sailing and perform advanced ETA computations involving time conversion. Includes use of a sextant in determining position and range, measuring speed by RPM, fuel consumption and use of the speed log.
MTS 284 SHIPBOARD POLLUTION PREVENTION 2
Using a non-technical format, review issues in pollution prevention and control as they impact on the duties and tasks performed by deck and/or engineering personnel onboard ship.
MTS 294 * LICENSE SEMINAR 2
Seminar on licensure knowledge requirements for deck/engineering candidates preparing to take the U.S. Coast Guard deck/engineering exams. Learn to consult and reference the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 46 and other publications.
4'th QuarterCr
MGO 200 AT SEA INTERNSHIP 5
Provides actual at-sea experience on vessels of at least 500 gross tons that operate beyond the boundary line. Thirty to sixty day internship allows the students to demonstrate their mastery of the competencies outlined in Table A-II/4 of STCW for ratings forming part of navigational watch or Table A-III/4 of STCW for ratings forming part of an engineering watch. Application of classroom and laboratory learning to the “real world” of an ocean going vessel.
Total Credits = 64

* Optional Course

Seattle Maritime Academy is offering the Marine Deck Technology curriculum as a 61-64-credit program. Students successfully completing this rigorous program will be awarded a certificate in Marine Deck Technology from Seattle Central Community College. Each graduate who successfully completes the program receives eight months of sea service credit towards a license as Master of Inland Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 100 Gross Tons, or eight months of sea service credit towards a license as Mate of Near Coastal Steam or Motor Vessels of Not More Than 200 Gross Tons. This sea service credit is 2/3 of the total required sea service for these licenses. By completing this program, the student also receives 8 months sea service credit towards an Able Seaman-Special endorsement or one-third of the required sea service credit for any other Able Seaman endorsement. Graduates satisfy both the written and practical examination requirements for both the Able Seaman and the Lifeboatman endorsements. Students will receive the Lifeboatman endorsement at graduation. The Marine Deck Technology Certificate Program also qualifies each graduate for an STCW "ratings forming part of a navigational watch" endorsement.

Students receive 6 months sea service credit towards a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Near Coastal Uninspected Towing Vessels. By interning for 90 days instead of 30 days, students without previous sea service will have enough sea time for AB-Special at graduation.

For Further Information:

Seattle Maritime Academy
Seattle Central Community College
4455 Shilshole Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107-4645
PHONE: (206) 782-2647
FAX: (206) 782-2821
Program Contact:
 dflath@sccd.ctc.edu