Crews in Action: Maritime High School Quarterly Update

Update from January 29–April 3 (Quarter 3)
By Nalani O’Brien, Maritime Education Instructor

This quarter has been filled with hands-on learning, real-world exploration, and meaningful milestones across all grade levels at Maritime High School. From building innovative environmental projects to exploring career pathways and advancing toward industry credentials, our students continue to embody curiosity, resilience, and a deep commitment to maritime learning.

9th Grade: Innovation in the shop

Our 9th graders completed their quarter in the shop with an exciting and impactful new project. While previous classes built boats, this year’s students created something entirely different: floating wetlands.

Over eight weeks, students worked tirelessly to design and construct these floating ecosystems, which we will install at Harbor Island Marina. Planted with native species, these wetlands aim to support habitat restoration and improve water quality in the Duwamish River. This project not only challenged students’ technical skills but also deepened their understanding of environmental stewardship and the maritime industry’s role in protecting our waterways.

Above, from left to right, are photos of our 9th-grade students moving one of their floating wetlands to the water to prepare for planting, as well as them creating the mattress that will hold the glavel to ensure the wetlands float.

10th Grade: Exploring Careers & Choosing Pathways

Our 10th graders spent the quarter out in the field, participating in a variety of Field Work Experiences (FWEs) to explore maritime careers throughout the greater Seattle area. Highlights included a career day with Washington State Ferries at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Terminal and a visit to the architecture firm Mithun.

In addition to these experiences, students made an important decision about their futures at Maritime High School by selecting their pathways for the next two years. Of our 26 sophomores:

• 15 students will enter the new blended Vessel Operations & Marine Science pathway
• 11 students will pursue the Marine Construction pathway, gaining hands-on welding experience at Vigor

We are excited to see the direction each student has chosen and look forward to the growth they will continue to make.

Above, from left to right, are 10th-grade students at Washington State Ferries Eagle Harbor Maintenance Terminal for Career Day and students at Mithun architecture creating and presenting their pier projects.

11th & 12th Grade: Advancing Toward Maritime Careers

Our upperclassmen have continued to make impressive strides within their chosen pathways.

Students in the Vessel Operations pathway have been hard at work in their classes at Seattle Maritime Academy. Our 11th graders reached a major milestone by submitting their applications for Merchant Mariner Credentials, an exciting step toward their professional maritime careers. Meanwhile, our 12th graders completed their most academically rigorous quarter yet, rising to the challenge and passing with flying colors. Both cohorts are now entering their final quarter of the year, ready to finish strong.

In the Marine Construction pathway, 11th graders have continued building their welding skills and are working diligently toward earning industry certifications. Students in the Marine Science pathway have been engaged in hands-on scientific learning with Dr. Rosalinda, complemented by enriching FWEs, including visits to the University of Washington Fish Collection and the Seattle Aquarium. These experiences continue to bring classroom learning to life and expose students to careers in marine research and conservation.

Above are our 11th and 12th-grade Marine Science students dissecting fish in the lab, and our 11th and 12th-grade Vessel Ops students at the Seattle Maritime Academy career fair speaking with industry professionals about what jobs are waiting for them.

Looking Ahead

Across all four grades, students at Maritime High School have been working hard to advance their maritime education. Whether in the shop, on the water, or out in the field, they are building skills and preparing for meaningful futures in maritime industries. As we head into the final quarter of the school year, we are excited to see our students continue to grow, lead, and make waves.