Port Townsend, WA—The Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) and Crawford Nautical School announced a new educational partnership today which will expand Crawford’s training and course offering to the NWMC campus in Port Townsend.
The first classes could begin as early as May 2013 with 15-30 students. Additional classes will be offered in the fall of 2013 and a full curriculum will begin in 2014, running from January through April, and October through December, which could accommodate upward of 50 participants per week. Students are drawn from an international client base and will be staying from one to six weeks. It’s anticipated that many will bring their families.
“This is an exciting opportunity because it realizes the vision of the NWMC as an educational center providing a spectrum of experiences, from kids building toy boats to the most sophisticated training for professional mariners,” said Jake Beattie, Executive Director for the NWMC. “It’s net new business for Port Townsend, adding vitality to the community’s enterprises during a time that’s traditionally slow.”
Crawford Nautical School is based in Seattle and is the oldest privately-owned maritime training school in the United States. They have been training mariners from all areas of sea-going life—deep sea, coastal and inland waters; Master, Mates, Pilots and Engineers—for over 90 years. They offer courses from celestial navigation, radar operation and engineering that can lead to certification and licensing a by the U.S. Coast Guard.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to expand our courses for professional mariners to Port Townsend—a community we’ve loved for decades, “ said Andrew Crawford. “The Northwest Maritime Center’s new Pilot House Navigation Simulator, additional state-of-the-art technical equipment and comfortable classroom space make it the ideal location for our expansion. We’re looking forward to helping Port Townsend build its maritime future.”
“This new partnership with Crawford Nautical is also a perfect complement to the vision of maritime-based education curriculum with the Port Townsend School District,” said Beattie.
The Northwest Maritime Center is accomplishing its mission through an expanding range of programs and services that support the community at large, youth of all ages, maritime enthusiasts, recreational boaters, and increasingly professional mariners as well as those who aspire to a career in the maritime trades. The NWMC is also home to the Wooden Boat Festival, going into its 37th year in 2013. www.nwmaritime.org
