Wavebreaker Blog

Welcome to the Wavebreaker Blog.  Whether you are an experienced maritime professional, new to the industry or just looking to learn more, the Wavebreaker Blog is a great place to get industry updates and information, perspective pieces and insights about the industry.  We welcome your feedback too. If you’d like to write a post, let us know!  Send us an email with your feedback or interest in writing to marine.coe@skagit.edu

Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

Gunderson Marine to open training center

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The following article is a recent announcement of Gunderson Marine, Portland, Oregon, plans to open a training center this spring.

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Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

Fluid Motion Names Vice President of Marketing

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The following article is an announcement of Fluid Motion, builder of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater and Solara, promotion of Sam Bisset from marketing director to vice president of marketing.

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Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

BRIX Marine delivers shark diving boat

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Check out this article on the new 40-foot long by 14-foot beam high-tunnel catamaran shark diving boat. The vessel Kamohoali’i was built by local boatbuilder BRIX Marine located in Port Angeles.

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Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

Maritime Workforce Topic: Shortage of Mariners

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. The following article addresses the current shortage of mariners in the maritime workforce and possible solutions.

Click on the following link for more information. Top 10 2023 News Story: Labor: A growing problem, January 10, 2024, WorkBoat.

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Kim Davis Kim Davis

Why Community Should be a Top Priority for Employers

Most maritime employers will tell you they are doing everything possible to solve their labor shortage crisis. They are increasing wages, offering sign-on and retention bonuses, and career development and growth programs. But one resource they always fall short of is supporting and engaging the nonprofit maritime community in an impactful way. Not branching out of the comfortable maritime circles you have always operated in will continue to yield the same results. If you are truly committed to sustainability you need to appeal to a generation of people who value inclusion and purpose over the mighty dollar. Additionally, these nonprofit organizations are the boots on the ground every day promoting the maritime industry and encouraging people to take this career path.

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Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

Hybrid Electric Marine Research Vessel

Stationed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory PNNL-Sequim campus, Research Vessel (RV) Resilience is the first hybrid vessel in the Department of Energy fleet. RV Resilience is able to operate on diesel engines or in a completely electric mode using onboard battery banks. These batteries can be charged with the diesel engines, at any marina, or through a rapid charging station at the PNNL-Sequim campus dock.

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Ricardo Ibarra Ricardo Ibarra

Connecting Communities through Water Culture

Learning about the diversity of water histories is intertwined into everything we do from the development of our educational curriculum to our consulting philosophy. Today we are going to delve deeper into how uplifting diverse water cultures is important for personal relationships with water, inspiring cultural appreciation and holistic understanding, healing generational trauma, reintegrating ancestral practices, and innovation.

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Industry News Ricardo Ibarra Industry News Ricardo Ibarra

New Study Details Washington Maritime’s Economic Punch

The Washington Maritime Federation (WMF) released a study documenting the tremendous impact of maritime businesses and activities on Washington State’s economy. The average annual compensation in maritime-related jobs is $112,000 including benefits. The study details an industry that is a foundation of our state’s economy and a leader in innovation and sustainability.

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Industry News Kim Davis Industry News Kim Davis

Maritime Technology Topic: Ammonia 

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Technology will drive maritime workforce development and programming at all levels, ensuring student technicians, the current workforce, and faculty have access to relevant, standards-based curriculum and professional development opportunities. Click on the following link for more information.

Navigating Sustainability: Ammonia’s Potential for Maritime Shipping, October 17, 2023, Maritime Executive – this article discusses decarbonization efforts and the viability of ammonia as a fuel.

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Kim Davis Kim Davis

A Hawsepiper's Journey: The Overlooked Mariner

When I became a mariner in 1998 it required very little of me. I needed sea days, I took a few tests and paid some fees, and puff I was a credentialed mariner! Upgrading was the same, more sea days, testing, fees, and done!

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Industry News Ricardo Ibarra Industry News Ricardo Ibarra

Seattle Colleges Wood Technology Center Receives Lowe’s Foundation Grant

Congratulations to the Wood Technology Center at Seattle Central College! The program is receiving a $750,000 grant through the Lowe’s Foundation. The grant will help support the training and preparation of students for the skilled trades. The Wood Technology Center at Seattle Central College offers several programs, including boat building/fine carpentry.

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Kim Davis Kim Davis

Rebuilding the Maritime Workforce Through Mentorship

Collaborative relationships in which a seasoned professional shares their knowledge, experience, insights, and resources with a less experienced individual, is known as mentorship. It’s not a new concept, but I do think it is something that isn’t talked about enough.

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Ricardo Ibarra Ricardo Ibarra

Charting a Course: How Seattle Maritime Academy Paves the Way for Career Success

Embarking on a rewarding career in the maritime industry doesn't have to come at the cost of burdensome student debt. Nestled in Ballard, just a few minutes from downtown Seattle, is the Seattle Maritime Academy, where aspiring mariners find a path to success without the financial strain. With a commitment to delivering top-notch maritime education, this renowned institution offers students a chance to launch their careers in a thriving industry.

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Ricardo Ibarra Ricardo Ibarra

Sea Potential’s Reflections on Retention vs. Recruitment

People reach out to us asking for us to send BIPOC their way, but when we express our need to build a relationship with their organization first and the importance of them evaluating and strengthening their workplace culture before inviting BIPOC folks in, we’ve not always been met with the same eagerness and enthusiasm.

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Ricardo Ibarra Ricardo Ibarra

Breaking into Maritime: Science, Sailing, and Sea Potential

I was the child obsessed with whales who was encouraged to become a marine biologist. However, 10 years later and after a few classes of statistics and biology, I realized that a science research career fraught with data analysis was simply not for me.

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