OPINION | Charting a New Course: Nurturing Washington's Next Generation of Maritime Professionals

by Jake Beattie and Steve Nevey

If you've ridden the ferries in the past few years, you have experienced Washington's maritime workforce shortage firsthand. And ferries, if you pardon the maritime implications of the analogy, are just the tip of the iceberg.

Make no mistake — the maritime economy is a $45 billion powerhouse in Washington State that employs over 19,500 people in the Seattle—King County area alone, encompassing industries from shipping and transportation to boatbuilding, fishing, and logistics. These careers are not only abundant but also lucrative, offering an average annual salary of $112,000.

Yet, as nearly a third of Washington's water-transportation workers approach retirement as part of the "silver tsunami" of an aging workforce, we're facing a dire shortage of skilled professionals to fill these roles. While Washington State Ferries staffing levels are recovering despite this international maritime worker shortage, it's more crucial than ever that we take long-term proactive steps right now to nurture the next generation of maritime professionals.

WSF has already taken a bold step in this direction by partnering with Northwest Maritime and Maritime High School. We recognize that new problems aren't solved by old solutions and are charting a new course for Washington's maritime future by unlocking maritime opportunities for young people.

Based in Des Moines, Maritime High School opened its doors to students in 2021. Designed through a collaborative partnership between Northwest Maritime, the Highline School District, the Port of Seattle, and the Duwamish River Community Coalition, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the diverse needs of aspiring maritime professionals.

Students gain a deep understanding of marine ecosystems and their connection to the local maritime industry through pathways like the Marine Science program, and through the Vessel Operations, Design, and Maintenance curriculum, students learn practical skills and certifications essential for careers in marine engineering. In partnership with the Seattle Maritime Academy, students on this pathway also complete the Marine Engineering Technology Program and graduate with crucial credentials, such as the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), ensuring they are well-prepared for success in the maritime workforce.

Beyond the classroom, the school's partnerships with local maritime businesses and organizations like Washington State Ferries is providing students with valuable internship and job-placement opportunities. By bridging the gap between education and industry, Maritime High School is not only preparing students for successful careers but also ensuring that Washington's maritime industry has a skilled and diverse workforce for decades to come.

Careers in maritime are more than working on ferries, and the impacts of Maritime High School are more than the pathways of its graduates. In fact, only one-third of maritime careers involve working on the water. According to a recent study by the Washington Maritime Federation, the most common maritime occupation in 2022 was "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers." The next most common roles were "cargo and freight agents," "heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers," "laborers and freight, stock, and material movers," and "captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels."

Even so, partnerships between organizations like Washington State Ferries, Northwest Maritime, and Maritime High School are key to securing a prosperous maritime future for Washington — one that extends far beyond the ferry docks and touches every corner of our state's economy.

Now, more than ever, we must unite — private, nonprofit, and government entities — to champion the need for increased funding and resources for maritime education. Opportunities such as internships and maritime programming are essential for exposing youth to the maritime profession. Prioritizing and supporting educational programs that nurture the next generation of maritime professionals, like Maritime High School, is crucial.

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Jake Beattie is the CEO of Northwest Maritime, a nonprofit organization focused on engaging and educating people of all generations about maritime.

Steve Nevey is assistant secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Featured image via Mad Mountain Media/Shutterstock.com.