Continuing Education & Non-Credit Classes

SMA provides training in a non-degree format under the aegis of continuing education. Instruction is offered in boating; fisheries' skills; marine affairs; marine engineering; marine safety; navigation and, seamanship.

Course format and duration ranges from half-day lectures to one-day seminars to two- or three-day workshops to quarterly programs. The nature of the training runs the gamut from vocational education to professional-technical training to licensure preparation to public safety campaigns.

Students receive certificates in all courses successfully completed and they may opt to take select courses for academic credit and/or sea-time credit.

SMA also provides training under contract to private sector companies, government agencies, military units and unions. The format and scope of instruction is customized to meet specialized training needs on the part of external clients.

General Marine Courses

BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR SMALL BOATS AND RECREATIONAL BOATERS - 7251 CSS 122 1A
MW 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
An electrical class designed for the recreational boater and for the small boat owner. A class that will take the mystery out of how electrical systems work. Topics to be covered will include batteries, alternators, solar and wind generators and related charging systems. Small A/C generator and power inverter systems will be investigated. Methods for determining load requirements, wire sizing and wiring techniques will be discussed. Electrical system troubleshooting, meter reading and hands-on training will be offered to the small boat owner or operation in a six week course. Course requires a minimum of 10 students.

MARINE DIESEL ENGINE MAINTENANCE & OPERATION FOR BOATERS - 7306 CSS 122 3D
TTh 6-8 pm
A course in marine diesel engines that includes theory, operation, troubleshooting and repair. The student will learn fundamental operating procedures for marine diesel engines. Instructional format combines classroom lectures with applied training in diesel engine labs. For the small boat owner. Course requires a minimum of 15 students.

BASIC VESSEL HANDLING - 7276 CSS and 7277 CSS
(11 hours)
The class meets on Thursday evening for 3 hours 5pm to 8pm then again on Saturday morning at 0900. The Saturday class is 8 hours.

Course covers the fundamentals of boat handling for small vessels based on single-screw theory. Applied instruction in the following boat handling techniques is included: backing and filling, emergency stopping, docking and undocking. Students are first shown and then given opportunity to experience the aforementioned maneuvers for themselves using a small training vessel.