Northwest Maritime Center Programs
Sailing & Seamanship: One of only four Washington schools to be certified by US Sailing, our programs teach sailing skills to all ages on board Optimist dinghies, Vanguard 15’s, and Thunderbird sailboats. Graduates of programs then participate in the Thunderbird Sailing Club, Sea Scouts and our Port Townsend High School Sailing team.
School-based Programs: The Maritime Discovery Program brings 7th graders to the NWMC to take part in an integrated curriculum that ties hands-on maritime experiences to the students’ existing coursework and familiarizes them with experiences and the possibilities of their maritime world. High school students get engaged through a year-long program of maritime learning, culminating in a weeklong voyage on traditional 18th century longboats.
Pilothouse Training Center: Using state-of-the-art equipment, the NWMC offers training and education for professional and aspiring mariners in advanced navigation, communication, safety, and ship handling through an immersive marine simulator. Programs for recreational boaters and the visiting public are currently in development.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Thanks to community support, last year our campus was host to
- 6,502 Participants in maritime classes & programs
- 7,107 People attending community events
- 423 School program participants
NWMC also provided support for youth and school programs totaling over $165,000.