Small Vessel Fabrication and Repair
View Small Vessel Fabrication and Repair in the College Catalog [PDF]
Program Description
The Small Vessell Fabrication and Repair program is a two-year Associate in Applied Science program whose main goal is to prepare individuals for employment in the boat maintenance, repair, and manufacturing industries. Students work on a variety of "real world" repair, service and construction projects. Hands-on instruction is provided in composite boat construction and repair, marine woodworking and joinery, lofting, plug and mold construction and marine spray painting systems. Boat yard operation skills are practiced year round including marine straddle-lift operation, crane operation, forklift and hydraulic trailer operation. There are also courses that focus on the rigging, mechanical, plumbing, propulsion, and electrical systems of boats.
The majority of instruction for the program is held at the Marine Education and Training Center (METC) located on Sand Island, Keehi Lagoon, which is a state-of-the-art training facility. The METC ranks as one of the premier training facilities in the United States featuring four large work bays to allow work on vessels up to 45 feet, a concrete pier equipped with two cranes to allow work on vessels in the water, finger piers for removing vessels from the water employing a marine straddle-lift, as well as classroom, laboratory, and office space.
For enrollment in the program, students must be able to climb a twelve-foot ladder onto a vessel’s deck, get on the deck, walk around the cabin and descend to the ground in a time period of not more than twice the time it takes the instructor to perform these tasks. The students must be able to jump onto the deck of a boat that is 18 inches below pier level, work in a crouching or standing position for hours at a time, lift 40 pounds from the floor onto a 34 inch high table top, and be physically fit to wear an organic respirator. Each student will be required to obtain a note from a physician stating that the student is capable of wearing an organic respirator. There are many physical demands and hazards in the boat maintenance and repair industry and the program. These include, but are not limited to, occasional heavy lifting, bending, crouching, and working in a cramped position. There will be exposure to woodworking saw blades and cutters, rapidly moving parts, and live electrical circuits. There will also be exposure to resins, solvents, fuel, paints, exhaust fumes, and dust. Students may get cuts, abrasions, burns, aches, and pains.
Program Mission
The Small Vessel Fabrication & Repair
program’s mission is to serve the community as a learning-centered,
open door program providing technical training
to meet the demands of companies within the small
vessel fabrication and repair industry as well as the needs
of the individual. An open-exit option allows students to
identify their career objectives and participate in program
exploration.
Competencies of Graduates
Marine Technicians have a wide variety of skills. They can fabricate, repair, and modify composite boats according to blueprints and customer specifications using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments. They can build interior furniture and apply marine paints with specialized spray equipment. They can build composite boats and molds using a variety of construction techniques. Marine Technicians can survey, troubleshoot, repair, and install new components in DC electrical systems, mechanical, sailboat rigging, and plumbing systems. They can perform basic service, alignment, and installation of propulsion systems. The technician confers with customers and supervisory personnel to reach agreement on the work order, which outlines the scope of the work.
Employers
Marinas (general boat service and repair) and firms that specialize in marine electrical, rigging, plumbing and/or propulsion systems. Boat manufacturers and companies performing fabrication of fiberglass reinforced plastic and other composite materials, painting and re-finishing companies, companies fabricating custom wood products (furniture and cabinetry) and heavy equipment operators.
Career Ladder: Entry Level
- Assistant to Crew Chief
- Crew Chief
- Foreman
- Manager
- Plant Manager (also Marine Surveyor, Small Business Owner, and Broker).
Employment Opportunities
Openings available locally with boatbuilders, shipyards, marine service companies, rigging companies, painting firms, composite manufacturers, furniture and cabinetmakers. Many opportunities are available practically all over on the Mainland U.S. WAGES - Beginning wages average between $9 and $13 an hour. Highly skilled technicians may earn more.