Professional Mariner

The maritime industry offers exciting and dynamic careers including opportunities to travel. Successful students will receive US Coast Guard recognized certificates which are important for many jobs. Graduates work on supply boats, ferries, tugs, barges, cruise ships, and private vessels. Land-based jobs include marine electrical work and entry level engine repair. Some graduates continue their education at a maritime academy. Internships are available to eligible students.

Department Contact Information

Karen Prioleau
kprioleau@occ.cccd.edu

Sarah Hirsch
shirsch3@occ.cccd.edu

Professional Mariner Department Website

Credit Courses

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.

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. Same as KIN A136. Students completing MARA A136 may not receive credit for KIN A136. may be taken for grades or on a pass-no pass basis.

MARA A1371 Unit (9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)

Introduction 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.

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. Same as KIN A137. Students completing MARA A137 may not receive credit for KIN 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.

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. Same as KIN A138. Students completing MARA A138 may not receive credit for KIN A138. May be taken for grades or on a pass-no pass basis.

MARA A1390.5-1.5 Units (4.5-13.5 lecture hours; 13.5-40.5 lab hours)

Kayaking

Prerequisite(s): Students must be able to swim 100 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.

Designed to teach the fundamental kayaking techniques needed to become a safe and effective kayaker. There will be a fee for use of equipment and use of the off-campus facility. Same as KIN A139. Students completing MARA A139 may not receive credit for KIN A139. May be taken for grades or on a pass-no pass basis.

MARA A1400.5-1.5 Units (4.5-13.5 lecture hours; 13.5-40.5 lab hours)

Outrigger Canoeing

Prerequisite(s): Ability to swim 100 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.

Designed to teach the fundamental outrigger canoeing techniques needed to become a safe and effective paddler. There will be a fee for use of equipment and use of the off-campus facility. Same as KIN A140. Students completing MARA A140 may not receive credit for KIN A140. May be taken for grades or on a pass-no pass basis.

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. May be taken for grades or on a pass-no pass basis.

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.

MARA A1523 Units (36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours)

Boat Handling and Seamanship

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. PREREQUISTE: Student must be able to swim 50 yards, tread water for 10 minutes.

MARA A1534 Units (72 lecture hours; 18 lab hours)

Marine Basic Safety Training

Prerequisite(s): MARA A151.

Grading Mode: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

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. This is a required course for the Professional Mariner Program. An optional facility fee will be paid to a Fire Training Facility. A $30 Certificate fee will be paid at Bursar’s Office upon successful completion of all USCG evaluations.

MARA A1542 Units (36 lecture hours; 27 lab hours)

Yachtkeeping and Engine Maintenance

Grading Mode: Standard Letter

Transfer Credit: CSU

This course offers hands on experience in Yachtkeeping; 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.

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.

MARA A1572 Units (36 lecture hours)

Radar Observer

Prerequisite(s): Professional Mariner Level 1 Certificate of Achievement or equivalent.

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.

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

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. Transfer credit: CSU.

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.

Academic Catalogs

Professional Mariner

Credit Courses

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