Page 17: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2022)

Photo courtesy Schulkens Communications/CRPAA

SE Louisiana middle and high school students aspiring to learn more about the local maritime industry tour the docks and terminals along the Mississippi

River in St. Bernard Parish as part of the ? rst ever Maritime Field Trip organized by Crescent River Port Pilots Association (CRPAA), the New Orleans-Baton Rouge

Steamship Pilot Association (NOBRA), the

St. Bernard Port Harbor and Terminal Dis- trict and Associated Terminal. Pictured (L to R): Damien Lee, 10th grader; Kay- bre Cuhsenberry, 8th grader; Abrya

Royal, 10th grader; Ben Brockhoff, 10th grader; and Branson Vicks, 10th grader. “Getting young people interested in maritime careers now not only bene? ts the students, but it will signi? cantly as- sist our riverfront partners in future job recruiting efforts as we search for new, bright and aspiring mariners,” said Cap- tain Roy Vance, CRPPA, who organized the event.

Read the full story here: bit.ly/32XMQyb town to get it shoed.” While the design would be standardized, they would be out-

However, today this has devolved into “Dear 12-year-old, ? tted for local environmental conditions where some may be please put on your coat and shoes so I can take you to soccer all electric, while others may be hybrid. They would be de- practice.” signed to be modi? ed or out? tted to take advantage of emerg-

Remarkably, maritime education is the only remaining ing technologies. These vessels will provide high school setting where the path between showing and having the stu- students with the grit to apply to maritime academies for mari- dent do it themselves with manageable risk of harm still ex- time careers or any other university level STEM programs. ists and can be taught to students 12 years of age and even a A ? eet of 100 of these vessels will undoubtedly provide a little younger. This educational setting exists in the form of higher level of exposure and educational bang for its buck maritime high schools, and there are over 50 maritime high than one additional NSMMV. schools all over the United States. While the large new school Many years ago, my father and I took my 7-year-old son on ships can provide sophisticated professional training, it does a head boat ? shing trip. My son was the only kid aboard; and not inherently develop grit. Grit develops on small craft and when we got to the ? shing ground, the mate took a spot next is best introduced to younger students at the high school level to my son and said “Let’s see what we got here.” He put his or even earlier. Therefore, while the academies certainly de- rod out and a few minutes later he said to my son “Kid, take serve their new vessels, why not also provide the maritime my rod; I have to talk to the Captain.” The moment my son high schools with new training vessels? had the rod in his hands, the reel spun out and my son got to

For the cost of one additional National Security Multi Mis- reel in his ? rst ? sh. My father was delighted; and when we got sion Vessel ($300M), it should be possible to build about a back to the dock, he handed the mate a big tip. The mate said hundred 60-foot simple lower speed aluminum catamarans “Thanks, but I don’t need your money.” Then he pointed at my out? tted for light oceanographic, environmental, wildlife, and son, “I just want to get them when they are young.” ? sheries research work. These vessels would be assigned to I have been told drug dealers use the same approach; in- existing and newly formed maritime high schools to func- stead, let’s spend some money to get our kids some grit.

tion as ? oating classrooms where students can be trained in vessel operation and navigation and maritime research in all

For every column I write, MREN has agreed to make a its forms. And there is so much left to research on the water. small donation to an organization of my choice. For this (Some of which could be contracted research to local state and column I nominate the Maritime Primary and Secondary national entities, where student participation in real research

Education Coalition. www.mpsecoalition.org is a further grit driver.) www.marinelink.com 17

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