Academic Catalogs

Professional Mariner

The maritime industry offers exciting and dynamic careers including opportunities to travel working on vessels. Successful students will receive US Coast Guard-recognized certificates required or recommended for many jobs, as well as hands-on training, giving students a distinct advantage in the workplace.

Graduates work on supply boats, ferries, tugs, barges, cruise ships, research ships, and private vessels.  Land-based jobs include marine electrical and systems work and entry-level engine repair. Some graduates continue their education at a maritime academy. Internships and scholarships are available to eligible students. Jobs are available locally and nation-wide. 

Courses are taught at OCC's Waterfront Campus at the Professional Mariner Training Center.

Department Contact Information: 

Professional Mariner Training Center
Phone: (949) 250-7352
Email: waterfrontcampus@occ.cccd.edu
Address: 1700 West Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, CA 92663

Program Coordinator: Karen Prioleau
Email: kprioleau@occ.cccd.edu
Phone: (949) 258-8918

Professional Mariner Department Website.

MARA A1361 Unit (9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Introduction to Sailing  
Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for five minutes; This prerequisite will be validated in class during the first week of the course.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: Any or all of these ATHL, DANC, KIN, MARA, PE Activity courses combined: maximum credit, 4 units.
Introduces the novice to the fundamentals of sailing through dockside lectures and hands-on experience in Lido 14 dinghies. Points of sail, basic terminology, tacking, jibing, theory, and safety are emphasized. Enrollment Limitation: KIN A136; students who complete MARA A136 may not enroll in or receive credit for KIN A136. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A136

MARA A1371 Unit (9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Intermediate Sailing - Intro to Keel Boats  
Prerequisite(s): MARA A136 or KIN A136; and Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for five minutes; and Basic sailing ability; These skills will be validated the first week of class.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: Any or all of these ATHL, DANC, KIN, MARA, PE Activity courses combined: maximum credit, 4 units.
Introduces the intermediate sailor to the fundamentals of sailing through dockside lectures and hands-on experience in Shields 30 sloops. Points of sail, basic terminology, tacking, jibing, theory, and safety are emphasized. Enrollment Limitation: KIN A137; students who complete MARA A137 may not enroll in or receive credit for KIN A137. Students completing MARA A137 may not receive credit for KIN A137. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A137

MARA A1381 Unit (9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)  
Introduction to Ocean Sailing  
Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for five minutes; Knowledge of basic sailing principles; This prerequisite will be validated in class during the first week of the course.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: Any or all of these ATHL, DANC, KIN, MARA, PE Activity courses combined: maximum credit, 4 units.
Introduces the fundamentals of ocean sailing through dockside lectures and hands-on experience aboard large sailing vessels. Sail handling, winch operation, steering, reefing, and line handling are emphasized. Enrollment Limitation: KIN A138; students who complete MARA A138 may not enroll in or receive credit for KIN A138. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A138

MARA A1503 Units (54 lecture hours; 18 lab hours)  
Coastal Navigation  
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Starting with the basics of navigation, students will be able to interpret charts, plot positions and courses, utilize navigational publications, and determine the effects of tides and currents relating to coastal piloting. Passage planning and boating safety legal requirements will be included. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A150

MARA A1512 Units (36 lecture hours)  
Maritime Industry  
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students will learn about marine industry careers, maritime terminology, types of vessels and vessel protocol. Job skills and career paths for the marine industry are covered. Personal conduct, customer service skills, resume writing and interviewing skills are included to improve employment opportunities. This is a required course of the Professional Mariner Program. A facility fee will be charged for field trips.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A151

MARA A1523 Units (36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Boat Handling and Seamanship  
Prerequisite(s): Student must be able to swim 50 yards, tread water for 10 minutes.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students learn safe boating practices and regulations. Practical training while operating small motor boats includes docking procedures, underway maneuvering, anchoring and overboard rescue drills. Time on the water provides experience in crew teamwork, standing watch, maintaining a lookout and general seamanship. This is a required course of the Professional Mariner Program. A facility fee will be charged.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A152

MARA A1534 Units (72 lecture hours; 18 lab hours)  
Marine Basic Safety Training  
Prerequisite(s): Student must be able to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
This course is the basic safety training (BST) as specified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Basic firefighting, personal survival, personal safety, social responsibility, and first aid in marine situations are covered in this hands-on program. Students with satisfactory level of completion will be qualified for First Aid and CPR cards and Certificates of Completion for STCW-95 compliance as well as a World Sailing Safety at Sea certificate. This is a required course for the Professional Mariner Program. An optional facility fee will be paid to a Fire Training Facility. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A153

MARA A1542 Units (18 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)  
Vessel and Engine Maintenance  
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
This course offers hands on experience in vessel; cleaning interior & exterior surfaces. Students will learn the practical operation and routine maintenance of mechanical systems aboard vessels, diesel inboard engines and gasoline outboard engines. Skills practiced include painting, varnishing and routine engine maintenance. This is a required course of the Professional Mariner Program.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A154

MARA A1562 Units (36 lecture hours)  
Maritime Environment  
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students will learn about the systems that drive global weather patterns and conditions commonly found along major shipping routes as well as hubs of recreational yachting. Global and regional physical oceanography will be covered as it relates to navigational challenges to the mariner. Understanding oceanography and weather will aid the student in understanding pollution regulations and the responsibilities of the mariner to the environment in which he or she works. This is a required course of the Professional Mariner Program. A facility fee will be charged for field trips.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A156

MARA A1572 Units (40 lecture hours)  
Radar Observer  
Advisory: MARA A150 or MARA A153.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students will learn fundamentals of marine Radar, its uses, limitations, and how to interpret data from a radar system. Primary focuses will be on Radar Navigation and Collision avoidance. Students with satisfactory level of completion will be qualified for a Certificate of Completion for U.S. Coast Guard Radar Observer license endorsement, establishing competency in the operation and utilization of marine radar equipment. This endorsement may be added to any U.S. Coast Guard Deck Officer License.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A157

MARA A2002 Units (120 other hours)  
Professional Mariner Internship  
Prerequisite(s): MARA A150, MARA A151, MARA A152, MARA A153, or MARA A155.
Co-requisite(s): MARA A201.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
A supervised internship related to classroom-based learning at a maritime related work site. This course is designed as a supervised internship course for the Professional Mariner student. The student will gain experience in a marine related position that bridges classroom based learning with career goals. This 120-hour unpaid or 150-hour paid work experience course is designed to assist students to acquire career awareness, work habits, attitudes and skills for the professional mariner program. Credit for occupational work experience may be accrued at the rate of one to 8 units per semester for a total of sixteen units. Additionally, this course is for 2 units and students must work 75 paid hours or 60 non-paid hours per unit earned.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A200

MARA A2011 Unit (18 lecture hours)  
Professional Mariner Internship Lecture  
Co-requisite(s): MARA A200.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter
Transfer Credit: CSU.
This course provides instructor-guided preparation related to classroom-based learning at a maritime related work site. This course is designed as a supplement to the supervised internship course for the Professional Mariner student.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A201

MARA A2104 Units (68 lecture hours; 12 lab hours)  
USCG License Exam Preparation  
Advisory: Due to the requirements to obtain a license from the US Coast Guard, students are expected to have 360 days of documented sea service; If a student has less than 360 days documented, then prior approval from the instructor is required.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students will learn the required material to take the USCG exams for an OUPV or 100 Ton Master/Mate endorsement. Topics include rules of the road, navigation and chart plotting, deck general, deck safety and environmental protection, and navigation general. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A210

MARA A2151 Unit (18 lecture hours; 9 lab hours)  
Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)  
Prerequisite(s): MARA A152 with a minimum grade of B, or sixty days of sea time as a deckhand, watchstander, or greater responsibility.
Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass
Transfer Credit: CSU.
Students will be trained to stand watch as a competent member of a bridge team on commercial and private vessels. Steering, following helm commands, understanding the navigation rules for collision avoidance, and emergency procedures are included. Along with required sea time, this course is intended to qualify students for the international "Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping" (STCW) designation as "Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch" (RFPNW). It is designed to satisfy RFPNW training requirements as designated by the US. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization. Graded or Pass/No Pass option.

Catalog Program Pages Referencing MARA A215