San Jacinto College adds maritime engineering courses

San Jacinto College recently added maritime engineering courses to its curriculum to help reduce the shortage of workers in the industry.

According to a press release, the courses will be open to any mariner interested in obtaining a license as a qualified member of the engine department. Topics featured will include motor propulsion, electricity, fire and safety, engineering fundamentals and miscellaneous piping systems.

"These are very broad courses that are unique to the maritime industry and, therefore, very valuable to the most experienced seaman," Cpt. Carol Curtiss, instructor of the new engineering courses, said in the release.

Maritime engineering involves below-deck operations such as maintaining and repairing electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, heating and air conditioning and electronic systems.

The new courses are intended to help supply workers to the maritime industry, as current employees are reaching retirement and ports are experiencing high traffic from international developments, according to the release.

For more information about maritime programs at San Jacinto College, visit cpd.sanjac.edu/maritime.