Ship's Log: Port Townsend Maritime Academy

PTMA students using the Pilothouse simulator

PTMA: Stars, Charts and Digital Navigation

“I can plot courses on paper charts, identify latitude and longitude on a chart and explain the difference. I know the vessel rights of way hierarchy relating to the rules of the road, and can calculate tides and currents ...

Port Townsend Maritime Academy’s Largest Class Ever Begins Their Maritime Journey

Port Townsend Maritime Academy’s (PTMA) Class of 2025 have taken to the stage in style, being the largest class size in PTMA history. Our students come from across the western shores of Puget Sound, and meet together every morning at ...

Port Townsend Maritime Academy Students Earn Drill Conductor Card

This year’s Port Townsend Maritime Academy (PTMA) students recently completed six weeks of training to earn their Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) Drill Conductor Card. This US Coast Guard-approved course provides practical knowledge of marine survival equipment and ...

Port Townsend Maritime Academy Students Dive into Outboard Operations

This month Port Townsend Maritime Academy students have been working through their Outboard Operations Unit. Students pair up as helm and crew in Kachemak 10ft inflatable aluminum hulled boats to develop and practice their vessel operation skills. "The vessel operation ...

Port Townsend Maritime Academy Kicks Off the 2023-2024 School Year

Port Townsend Maritime Academy is kicking off the 2023-2024 school year with a whole host of fresh new faces, and a few familiar ones. Our students come from as far away as Bremerton to meet together each morning at the ...

From Classroom to Coastline: A Look at the Achievements of PTMA Graduates

This week, twelve students became the most recent graduates of our Port Townsend Maritime Academy (PTMA) program, run in partnership with West Sound Tech and the Port Townsend School District. Since its inception in the Fall of 2019, PTMA has enrolled ...

Maritime Opportunities for High Schoolers

Do you know a high schooler who is interested in the sea or a maritime career? Check out these exciting opportunities that are accepting applicants now! Dock Attendant We are in our third year partnering with the Port of Port ...

From Messing About in Boats to Cal Maritime Cadet

Speech by Matthew Rothschild, NWMC Program Alumnus & Cal Maritime Academy Student, from Navigator Night Out 2022 I graduated in 2020 from Port Townsend High School and the Port Townsend Maritime Academy in its inaugural year. I will be going into my ...

Back to School, Maritime-Style

The smell of fall is in the air, which means students in Northwest Maritime Center’s (NWMC’s) partner programs are back in the classroom and in the field. In both Port Townsend and Des Moines, NWMC provides access to ...

The Port Townsend Maritime Academy is Back in Session

By Colleen O’Brien (NWMC Instructor for the PTMA) You know that moment when perspective happens? When enough time has passed to inform your opinion, your success (or failure)? That’s where we are with the Port Townsend Maritime Academy (...