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The Workboat Academy

provides all of of the training and support you will need ot obtain a Mate's license.  More importantly, it will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to take on the duties and responsibilities of a Mate.   The program is organized so that every shore-based training phase is reinforced by simulation and on-board training.  This approach allows apply their new knowledge on the job. Furthermore each phase builds on the previous, so students develop their skills gradually and logically. To learn more about the Workboat Academy, please read our brochure.

Approvals

The Workboat Mate Program is approved by the United States Coast Guard, the State of Washington Workforce Training, Education, and Coordinating Board and the State of Maryland Higher Education Commission. Furthermore, veterans and their eligible dependants may also qualify for Veterans Administration educational benefits (at the Pacific and Atlantic campuses) that may be applied towards the Workboat Mate Program.

Leading Maritime Employers

provide berths for the Workboat Academy trainees during the on-board training component of the Workboat Mate Program. These include, but are not limited to: Andrie Towing, Brusco Tug and Barge, Crowley Marine Services, Dann Marine Towing, Dunlap Towing, Foss Maritime, K-Sea Transportation, Laborde Marine, Lindblad Expeditions, Moran Towing, NOAA, Penn Maritime, Gulfmark, Sause Bros., U.S. United Ocean Services, Vane Brothers and Western Towboat.

Dr. Allen Glen, Dean Emeritus - University of Washington

 "After careful review, this Workboat Academy Program is based on sound pedagogy and a careful consideration of the standards that must be met by the graduates. It is an intense, demanding program. Good! We want competent people on the bridge. "

Mr. Jimmy Skiles, Executive Vice Presideent - Laborde Marine

 "We are very pleased with the quality of the cadets from the Workboat Academy. Our company has found an exceptional resource for recruiting seafarers and quickly moving them up into the wheelhouse."

Mr. Dale Sause, Owner - Sause Bros.

 "It is our contention that graduates of the Workboat Academy entering our fleet may be the most well-rounded and thoroughly prepared mates available to the industry today. "

John P. King, Director Safety & Support Services - United States Ocean Services

 "The Workboat Academy has become an important part of our recruiting and retention efforts. The work that the Workboat Academy does to pre-screen the candidates for motivation and ability has proven to be superior to our previous efforts. The instruction, as reported by the cadets, is first rate. We are anxiously awaiting a comparable program on the engineering side.."

Captain Scott Manley, Director of Marine Operations - Harley Marine Services.

 "Harley Marine Services is impressed and pleased with the Workboat Academy Cadets that we have so far. HMS as a whole feels that this is a very worthwhile program and we want to do all we can to make it a success. "

Workboat Academy Brochure

Please click on the Brochure Cover Page on the left to download our comprehensive Brochure.  Within the Brochure you will be able to read about Career Opportunites, Benefits of the Program, Program Content, Pre-Requisites, and enrollment information.

What other companies take Cadets?

Our list of partner companies continues to grow.  Currently, the following companies have taken Workboat Academy Cadets:  Gulfmark Offshore, Laborde Marine, Foss Maritime, K-Sea Transportation, Penn Maritime, Crowley Maritime Services, Dann Marine Towing, Donjon Marine, Western Towboat, Dunlap Towing, Harley Marine Services, Brusco Tug & Barge, Moran Towing Company, Resolve Marine, Stabbert Maritime, Starlight Marine, United Ocean Services, Vane Brothers, Sause Bros., Andrie Marine, University of Washington, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, NOAA, Lindlblad Expeditions

What does this cost my company?

There are generally no extra costs associated with taking a Workboat Academy Cadet as cadets pay for their own tuition. The majority of our partner companies sail our cadets in a billeted position as either an Ordinary Seaman or Able Seafarer and pay standard wages.  When cadets sail as extra numeraries cadet wages vary.  Some companies will re-pay tuition costs after graduation over a time-period as a retention strategy.  For further details please contact the workboat academy's assistant director by clicking here.  

Who pays for travel?

This varies by company. Most partner companies only pay for travel to and from their home-port. As our cadets are generally full time employees, standard company policy applies

Do I get to choose my Cadets?

The Workboat Academy finds, prescreens, and matches all suitable applicants.  The applicant's file is forwarded to a matching company for approval, selection and company interview.

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What certificates / endorsements will they arrive with?

Workboat Academy cadets will arrive with a valid Merchant Mariner Credential, TWIC as well as Basic Safety Training,Able Seafarer and  Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch  (lookout duties only) certificates..  In addition our students will have had training in line-handling and have completed  some of their RFPNW Assessments in a full mission bridge simulator.

Can I employ them immediately?

Our cadets are USCG Certified and ready to work immediately as an Ordinary Seaman.  Some of the cadets we send you may have their Able Seaman OSV, special or LImited endorsements and would be ready to go to work as an Able Seafarer.

What Licenses/Endorsements will they receive?

This depends on the type of sea-time they receive.  If their sea-time is achieved on vessels under 99 GRT, then our graduates will receive a Mate 500 GRT Oceans License. If their sea-time is between 99 GRT and 200 GRT, then our graduates will receive a Mate 500 GRT Oceans and Mate 1600 GRT Near Coastal License. If their sea-time is over 200 GRT, then our graduates will receive a Mate 1600 GRT Oceans License. In addition if the graduate sailed on a towing vessel, then they will receive a Mate of Towing and Able Seaman Limited endorsement.  Additional endorsements include, but are not limited to:  ECDIS, GMDSS, ARPA.  Additional courses can be added upon specific request by the partner company.

What if we are not happy with cadets?

The success of the program depends on the companies and cadets being matched appropriately. If, in spite of the thorough interviewing process, a match does not work well, the Workboat Academy will assist both the company and the cadet to find an appropriate solution.

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How many cadets can we take?

There is no limit on the amount of cadets your company may take. We recommend taking even numbers of cadets, to take advantage of the 8 weeks on 8 weeks off schedule. This will provide you with a full billet, where cadets will be relieving one another. Please inquire about our company specific classes and the benefits it will offer.

How can my company ensure retention?

Although it is impossible to guarantee retention, the Workboat Academy currently has a 90% retention rate of our students staying with the partner company and 100% retention our licensed graduates staying in the industry. Many of our partner companies will pay a percentage of tuition back to the student for every year they stay with the company after graduation.

Can the program be customized?

Companies that commit to taking twelve or more cadets, will have numerous customization options. Please contact  the Workboat Academy Assistant Director for specifics.

When does the next program start?

The Workboat Academy Programs commence year round in Seattle, Baltimore and New Orleans.  Please contact a Workboat Academy Representative for specific dates.

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Foss tows the Tug America to Boston

After Foss Maritime acquired Constellation Tug in Boston,they delivered the Tug America via the Panama Canal and up the Atlantic Coast.

Simulation Training at Workboat Academy

Students at the Workboat Academy are provided with a minimum of three weeks of Simulation utilizing Full Mission Simulators and another three weeks utilizing a simulated electronic navigation lab.   Simulation is a critical component to the training provided at the Workboat Academy, however it is only part of the systematic training that occurs.  For example, the student will learn Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation in the classroom and will apply lessons learned in a simulated environment as well as on-board.  In this way, the student is presented with a given topic at least three times. 

Damage Control Training - Optional

This optional two-day hands-on course is provided at the Pacific Campus by their Training Partner, Fremont Maritime Services. This course combines classroom sessions with demonstrations and team exercises in a flooding ship mock-up. In addition to learning techniques of prevention, investigation, and isolation, participants practice pipe patching, hole plugging, and pumping of flooded compartments.