Many boat owners require help managing and maintaining the systems that are installed on their boats, and this need is increasing as the technology involved becomes more complex. That’s where professionals with marine systems training come into play.
Many are drawn to this work due to the sheer range of technical disciplines involved, from electrical to mechanical and everything in between. There are so many variations that each situation requires thoughtful problem-solving. In some cases, these technicians design and install new systems, and in other cases, they repair and improve existing systems. Regardless of the specific system on a particular boat, a marine technician works to ensure a safe and trouble-free experience for the boat owner.
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If you’re interested in this type of work, formal education as a marine technician provides foundational understanding and skills for the wide range of systems found on today’s boats – whether recreational or commercial. You’ll want to choose a program that builds the skills needed for hands-on practice and develops a systematic approach to real-life challenges, including referencing technical information and testing results. The nine-month Marine Systems Diploma program offered at Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) develops knowledgeable marine systems professionals who have competency across a range of disciplines and are familiar with industry standards.
If you’re passionate about marine systems and see yourself working in this unique field, then you’re in the right place. Let’s discuss where a Marine Systems Diploma will take you.
There are a range of careers open to graduates of a respected Marine Systems program. From roles focused on electrical engineering, mechanics, or overall systems management, professionals in the field experience a wide variety of marine-focused occupations: career opportunities are varied and include jobs in boat shops, ship yards, vessel manufacturing, and educational institutions. The skills learned are also transferable to service of RVs, emergency vehicles, and tiny homes.
Here are two of the most common careers in marine systems:
As a marine systems technician, you could be involved in the design, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of most marine systems found on a modern vessel. This could include performing routine inspections, diagnosing system faults, and conducting necessary repairs or replacing faulty components.
Some marine systems techs specialize in one area within the broad spectrum of marine systems management, such as electronics and navigation, electrical systems, marine mechanics, marine corrosion technicians, or marine HVAC technicians.
As a project manager specializing in marine systems, you would oversee the planning, execution, and completion of marine system projects. This could involve coordinating different teams, managing project timelines and budgets, and ensuring that project objectives are met. You would be responsible for overseeing the integration and installation of marine systems on new vessels or retrofitting systems on existing vessels.
You would serve as the person or be part of the team aboard the vessel that is responsible for the service and maintenance of all the systems on a boat – fixing anything that breaks and keeping the boat operating safely through systematic maintenance, service, and repair.
The same skills a marine technician learns are applicable to emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances, RVs and van conversions, and remote cabins or tiny houses living off the grid.
As a sales representative or support technician, you would work closely with clients to understand their needs, provide technical expertise, and offer solutions related to marine systems. Your role would involve promoting products, providing technical assistance, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Pro Tip: As technology develops and becomes more complex, there is a need for greater specialization. A formal education enables students to work with the latest cutting-edge technology and collaborate directly with manufacturers about new products. For example, it’s currently critical for students to learn how to use the latest technology in power systems (battery systems), which is a field that is changing rapidly.
A marine systems diploma signals to employers that you have the tools needed to make an actionable difference in a marine-focused field. In other words, a marine systems diploma serves as a pathway into the marine industry.
Here are some of the ways in which a marine systems education will bolster your professional resume:
Gain specialized knowledge – There is a wide range of marine systems found on today’s vessels, and there are even more iterations of those systems to maintain and repair. Technology is changing rapidly, and for this reason, it’s important that you choose a program that will expose you to developments and ground-breaking products (while also learning from experienced technicians about the commonalities of legacy systems). It’s also helpful to learn about the range of systems found on today’s vessels to identify whether there is a particular niche or discipline that you may want to specialize in.
Earn a more competitive salary – Employers are concerned with hiring professionals who demonstrate that they will work to industry standards and who show the ability to competently perform key tasks. Marine systems graduates can share with employers the competencies completed during coursework as well as any industry certifications they received.
Increased career opportunities – Marine systems professionals are qualified to work in a variety of roles, and those who complete a respected, hands-on program open themselves up to a range of occupations – either as generalists or specialists.
Networking opportunities – Students gain a network of peers and industry experts to consult with once they’re on the job. Educational opportunities include representatives from manufacturers who provide lectures and question/answer sessions as well as potential employer interaction during field trips and/or job fairs.
In 2017, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding piloted several week-long, hands-on marine systems classes, and the success of those classes launched the development of the full Marine Systems program in 2018.
NWSWB hired Kevin Ritz, a nationally recognized authority on Marine Electrical Systems, to develop the curriculum, which he did through consultation with industry experts. In 2020, the school broke ground on the construction of a 4,800-square-foot building dedicated to the Marine Systems Program, and in 2002, NWSWB was awarded grant funding to acquire over $500,000 of state-of-the-art equipment for the program. In October 2024, NWSWB will launch the ninth cohort of students in the program.
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NWSWB’s 9-month, accelerated Marine Systems Diploma program revolves around a full-time Monday through Friday daily schedule. The program starts once annually in October and graduates mid-June. All topics are covered using classroom teaching methods, reinforced with extensive competency-based hands-on learning, and include learning about the broad scope of applicable marine industry accepted standards.
During the first quarter, students start by learning boat nomenclature, hand-tool use, and shop safety before launching into main coursework, which focuses on marine electrical systems.
In the second quarter, students build upon fundamental knowledge and move onto topics including marine plumbing, propane on boats, hydraulics, outboard engines, diesel engines, steering and controls, and marine propulsion.
During the third (and last) quarter, students will continue to master, study, and practice skills and competencies from prior quarters, but will focus primarily on additional marine electrical skills and knowledge. This quarter covers more technically-advanced systems such as inverters, isolation transformers, and solar technologies. It also touches on marine heating and refrigeration, marine corrosion, marine environmental stewardship, and fundamental business operations.
At NWSWB, we are proud to produce qualified graduates who go on to experience meaningful careers in the marine industry. Here are just a few noteworthy alumni from the Marine Systems Diploma program:
Misha Bogart
Misha graduated from the boatbuilding program and was part of the inaugural Marine Systems program class. Shortly after completing the Marine Systems program, Misha was hired by the State of Alaska to maintain their fleet of Fish and Wildlife law enforcement vessels and to captain one of their 85′ boats.
“Hands down, the most educational thing I’ve done in my life. It’s led to great things. It definitely made me competitive in the workforce.”
Damian Hill
“I grew up in a fishing town in Bristol Bay in Alaska, so I came in very much aware of the need for competent marine technicians to maintain these very high horsepower boats with thrusters, all these complex electrical systems, and RSW to chill the catch down. When I found out there was a program to teach me everything I needed to get an entry-level job working on boats, I signed up right away. The strength of the program is having experts right there, learning from people with deep knowledge. You can’t get that from a book. It’s hands on.”
Within weeks of graduation, Damian Hill began working as a marine technician in his hometown of Naknek, Alaska.
Angi Lungu
Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Angi had spent the past 10 years on the water — five years cruising single-handedly on her 31’ fiberglass ketch — before dropping anchor in front of the Boat School in 2020. She hadn’t planned to take the Marine Systems class, but it proved to be a good way to refine the skills she’d acquired when repairs were needed in the middle of nowhere.
Since graduation, she has served as Chief Engineer aboard many vessels around the world.
Megan Hahn
Megan grew up in Nome, Alaska, where her first paying job was doing paperwork for commercial fishermen in town. She studied music in college before realizing she wanted to learn a trade. She went on to study Marine Systems at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and discovered a special affinity for marine engines and marine electrical work.
After graduation, Megan worked locally as a marine systems technician and then found her interest in marine electrical work increasing. She joined AC/DC in Homer, Alaska, which had traditionally worked on land-based electrical projects. With her skills, the company started branching out into marine electrical projects, and Megan has been cross-training to learn land-based electrical work as well. She finds the work interesting and satisfying.
At Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, you will join a community of other driven, curious, and talented professionals who are all seeking a lifelong career in the field of marine systems. Through hands-on coursework and a network of industry experts, you will emerge from the Marine Systems Diploma program ready to make a name for yourself in the marine industry.
We invite you to explore our program, request more information, or review our admissions process.
Note: Applications are open for the 2024-2025 School Year with programs beginning October 1, 2024. The admissions process can be completed entirely online, from submitting your application to uploading supporting documents and paying tuition and fees. To apply, you’ll complete an online application then email, pay the $100 registration fee (non-refundable) and the $200 tuition deposit (refundable), and mail or upload a copy of your high school diploma/transcript, GED certificate, or official college transcript. You can click here to access the online application.
To stay in touch with all that’s happening at NWSWB, you can sign up for our free e-newsletter. We also invite you to contact us by email (admissions@nwswb.edu) if you have any additional questions.