Northwest Seaport and YMTA form partnership

It was a gray Seattle day on January 25, 2003 but the rain held off until the Youth Maritime Training Association and Northwest Seaport completed their business for the day.

Joe Shickich, President Northwest Seaport and Norm Manly, President Youth Maritime Training Association shook hands and so began a long-term partnership that will have a positive impact on the education of high school students and adult volunteers from the Puget Sound area.  The two organizations will combine forces to provide students with an education in wooden boats while they learn about the maritime heritage of Puget Sound and the Northwest Coast.

Joe and Norm agreed they will make use of the two Boards and volunteers from each group to provide education and training to all high school students having an interest in boats and maritime heritage.

Students from the Ballard Maritime Academy, a four-year high school maritime programs are the first recipient of their efforts.  Students from the program come to Northwest Seaport each Saturday to assist in the rebuilding of the CADET, YMTA's tugboat.

BMA students work under the direction of Northwest Seaport's lead Shipwright, Bill White and are exposed to all aspects of wooden boat repair.

One goal of this new partnership is to open the doors of Northwest Seaport to all high school students, not just students from the Ballard program.  Adult volunteers and students attending community college, who have an interest in wooden boats are also encourage to become involved.

Besides the Cadet, Northwest Seaport offers volunteer opportunities on the Arthur Foss, Twilight, Wawona and Swiftsure.  Students will learn about all systems aboard vessels as well as safety, navigation and seamanship.  Not only will high school students be provided with a real hands-on learning experience, they will also earn community service credits, needed for graduation.

Arthur Foss built in Portland, Oregon 1898

YMTA Board members, Kevin Shyne and Jackie Schwartz are working with the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop curriculum, designed around repairs to the Cadet and Northwest Seaport vessels, that not only will count for community service credit but also high school credits, credits good towards graduation.

Ballard Maritime Academy students dream of the day when they will climb aboard the Cadet and take the helm for a cruise around Lake Union.  We look forward to the day when these students, with an interest in boats and maritime heritage will become Captains, Mates, Chief Engineers and Deckhands aboard the countless ships, tugboats, fishing boats, supply boats and watercraft of the future.  We look forward to the day when these students will fill the vacancies ashore, when our aging workforce retires, in just a few short years.  And to complete the cycle we look forward to the day our students become the adult volunteers and mentors of tomorrow.

This was a great day for the Youth Maritime Training Association and the Northwest Seaport and it was also a great day for the many students who will benefit from this partnership. To learn how you can become involved at Northwest Seaport as an adult or student volunteer call 206-447-9800.