We develop and sustain Washington’s maritime careers.

The NW Center of Excellence for Marine Manufacturing & Technology brings together industry and labor to provide input to the state’s community & technical colleges so that Washington’s workforce has access to high-quality education and family-wage jobs in maritime and related fields..

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Navigating New Waters: Culturally Relevant Sailing with Sea Potential
Navigating New Waters: Culturally Relevant Sailing with Sea Potential

At Sea Potential, we’ve designed and facilitated a variety of youth programs for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) ages 12-18, but the summer of 2024 marked a meaningful first: our inaugural culturally relevant sailing program! Partnering with the Center for Wooden Boats (CWB), we approached this opportunity as more than a chance to teach technical sailing skills—it became a way to align with our drive to empower BIPOC youth by designing heart-based programming that celebrates identity, representation, and connection to the water.

This blog reflects on the why behind culturally relevant programming, how we built this initiative, its impact on the youth and community, and the challenges and lessons we encountered along the way.

Decommissioned Elwha ferry to become floating offices at Everett Ship Repair
Decommissioned Elwha ferry to become floating offices at Everett Ship Repair

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. Everett Ship Repair has acquired the retired Washington State Ferries (WSF) vessel, Elwha, for $100,000, with plans to repurpose it into a floating office and warehouse space at its shipyard in Everett, Wash. The decommissioned ferry was towed from Bainbridge Island by the Western Towboat Co. tug Mariner on Jan. 30. Built in the mid-1960s as one of four Super-class ferries, WSF said the 144-car Elwha was a longtime fixture on the Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia route before being retired on April 8, 2020. The vessel, which served millions of passengers over its operational lifetime, is now being repurposed.

Brix Marine launches custom RHIB for Hawaiian tour operator
Brix Marine launches custom RHIB for Hawaiian tour operator

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. BRIX Marine recently launched a new 41’ rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) to commercial tour operator Hawaii Nautical, Kaneohe, Hawaii. A BRIX press release noted that the vessel, named Olohana, is designed to meet the demands of Hawaii’s marine environment with a focus on stability, speed, and operational efficiency.

Fourth U.S. Training Ship Floated at Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Fourth U.S. Training Ship Floated at Hanwha Philly Shipyard

As part of our Career Connect Washington Maritime Sector ongoing work, we actively track, document, and inform about emerging technologies and trends. MARAD’s program to build the first modern training ships for the U.S. merchant marine marked another milestone with the floating of the fourth vessel of the class. The future Lone Star State which has been assigned to Texas A&M Maritime College took to the water for the first time on Friday, January 24, and was towed to the outfitting berth.

“This is an exciting milestone because the vessel moves from production on land to water, and it is one of the last major moves before heading out for sea trials,” said Hanwha Philly Shipyard posting a video of the repositioning.