WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
OCC Professional Mariner students advance from our program to careers on large private and charter yachts, cruise ships, passenger ferries, whale watch and dive boats, supply vessels, work boats, tugs, commercial shipping vessels and on-shore support positions.
Many students continue their education by transferring to attend four-year maritime academies.
Students who complete OCC's professional mariner program receive STCW Basic Training certificates and have the opportunity to apply for their Merchant Mariner Credential.
FALL SEMESTER
Maritime Industries
1 unit
MARA A151 - 16 weeks - Fall semester
Students will learn about marine industry careers, maritime terminology, types of vessels, and vessel protocol. Job skills and career paths for the marine industry are covered. Personal conduct, customer service skills, resume writing, and interviewing skills are included to improve employment opportunities. Transfer credit: CSU
Maritime Environment
2 unit
MARA A156 - 16 weeks - Fall semester
Students will learn about the systems that drive global weather patterns and conditions commonly found along major shipping routes as well as hubs of recreational yachting. Global and regional physical oceanography will be covered as it relates to navigational challenges to the mariner. Understanding oceanography and weather will aid the student in understanding pollution regulations and the responsibilities of the mariner to the environment in which they work. Transfer credit: CSU
SPRING SEMESTER
Coastal Navigation
2 unit
MARA A150 - 16 weeks - Spring Semester
Starting with the basics of navigation, students interpret charts, plot courses electronically and manually, utilize navigational publications, and determine the effects of tides and currents. Passage planning and boating safety legal requirements will be included. Transfer credit: CSU.
Yachtkeeping and Engine Maintenance
3 unit
MARA A154 - 16 weeks - Spring Semester
Students gain hands-on experience in Yachtkeeping; cleaning interior & exterior surfaces. Students will learn the practical operation and routine maintenance of mechanical systems aboard vessels, diesel inboard engines, and gasoline outboard engines. Skills practiced include painting, varnishing and routine engine maintenance. Transfer credit: CSU
SPRING AND FALL SEMESTER
Marine Basic Safety Training
3 unit
MARA A153 - 16 weeks - Spring semester
This course is the basic safety training (BST) as specified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Basic firefighting, personal survival, personal safety, social responsibility, and first aid in marine situations are covered in this hands-on program. Students with satisfactory level of completion will be qualified for First Aid and CPR cards and Certificates of Completion for STCW-95 compliance as well as a World Sailing Safety at Sea certificate. Transfer credit: CSU
Prerequisite: Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes. A certificate fee may apply.
Professional Mariner Internship
1 unit
MARA A200 - 16 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
A supervised internship related to classroom-based learning at a maritime related work site. This course is designed as a supervised internship course for the Professional Mariner student. The student will gain experience in a marine related position that bridges classroom based learning with career goals. This 120-hour unpaid or 150-hour paid work experience course is designed to assist students to acquire career awareness, work habits, attitudes and skills for the professional mariner program. Transfer credit: CSU
Prerequisite: Marine Activities A150, or A151, or A152, or A153.
Professional Mariner Internship Lecture
1 unit
MARA A201 - 16 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
This course provides instructor-guided preparation related to classroom-based learning at a maritime related work site. This course is designed as a supplement to the supervised internship course for the Professional Mariner student. Transfer Credit: CSU.
Co-requisite: Marine Activities A200.
Radar Observer
2 unit
MARA A157- 8 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
Students will learn fundamentals of marine Radar, its uses, limitations, and how to interpret data from a radar system. Primary focuses will be on Radar Navigation and Collision avoidance. Students with satisfactory level of completion will be qualified for a Certificate of Completion for U.S. Coast Guard Radar Observer license endorsement, establishing competency in the operation and utilization of marine radar equipment. This endorsement may be added to any U.S. Coast Guard Deck Officer License. Transfer credit: CSU
Prerequisite: Mariner Level 1 Certificate of Achievement or equivalent.
Introduction to Sailing
4 unit
MARA A136 - 8 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
Novice sailors are introduced to the fundamentals of sailing through dockside lectures and hands-on experience in Lido 14 dinghies. Points of sail, basic terminology, tacking, jibing, theory, and safety are emphasized. Transfer credit: CSU; UC
Prerequisite: Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 5 minutes.
Intermediate Sailing
2 unit
MARA A137 - 8 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
Introduces the intermediate sailor to the fundamentals of sailing through dockside lectures and hands-on experience in Shields 30 sloops. Points of sail, basic terminology, tacking, jibing, theory, and safety are emphasized. Transfer credit: CSU; UC
Prerequisite: Marine Activity A136 or Kinesiology A136, or basic sailing skills, and the ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 5 minutes.
Watchkeeping - Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch - RFPNW
2 unit
MARA A215 - 8 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
Students will be trained to stand watch as a competent member of a bridge team on commercial and private vessels. Steering, following helm commands, understanding the navigation rules for collision avoidance, and emergency procedures are included. Along with required sea time, this course is intended to qualify students for the international "Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping" (STCW) designation as "Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch" (RFPNW). It is designed to satisfy RFPNW training requirements as designated by the US. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization. Transfer credit: CSU
Prerequisite: MARA A152: Boat Handling and Seamanship with a minimum grade of C or better or sixty days of sea time as a deckhand, watchstander, or greater responsibility.
USCG Exam License Prep
2 unit
MARA A210 - 8 weeks - Fall or Spring semester
Students will learn the required material to take the USCG exams for an OUPV or 100 Ton Master/Mate endorsement. Topics include rules of the road, navigation and chart plotting, deck general, deck safety and environmental protection, and navigation general. ADVISORY: Due to the requirements to obtain a license from the US Coast Guard, students are expected to have 360 days of documented sea service. If a student has less than 360 days documented, then prior approval from the instructor is required. Transfer Credit: CSU