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The Ballard Maritime Academy has had an exciting
2007 – 2008.
BMA is proud to announce we will graduate two
students into California Maritime Academy, one
student into Pacific Maritime Institute and
one student into U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
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All-Academy
events:
Ballard
Seafood Festival
This year’s events began even before the
school year. We had a booth at Ballard’s
growing Seafood Festival. The booth featured a
trough of water in which visitors could practice
driving student-built ROVs (remote-operated vehicles),
as well as information about our program and a
raffle for salmon.
SailSandpoint retreat
Once again, we began our year with our annual
retreat to SailSandpoint. It was a chance to welcome
the new sophomore class, go sailing together and
enjoy some grilled salmon. We had a great day,
and everyone was out on the water, and many practiced
survival suit techniques.
Fall Fisherman’s Festival
Keeping true to our roots, the BMA took part in
this year’s Fall Fisherman’s Festival,
honoring the brave men and women who bring us
the bounty of the seas. The academy had a booth
this year with an ROV tank, as well as a display
of different student projects. Two groups participated
in the survival suit races, narrowly missing first
place to our nemesis, the team from Trident Seafoods.
Schooner Zodiac
This year’s big annual trip was a sail aboard
the historic schooner Zodiac. The intrepid crew
left from Bellingham, and immediately took over
operation of the boat, heading north. We had a
beautiful sail up the sound, spotting many seals
and porpoises on our way to Sucia Island. Students
immediately set out and explored the island by
kayak, and landing parties were ferried ashore
to explore this beautiful island’s many
interesting geologic formations.
The next morning, the crew “turned to”
once again to raise anchor and set sail. With
sunny weather, and light winds, we took our time
cruising south to Spencer Spit on Lopez Island.
After setting anchor, students again set off to
explore. The landing party scoured the beaches
and discovered a variety of interesting creatures
in the area tide pools. That evening, students
explored under the surface with the ship’s
ROV, and recreated movie scenes using survival
suits in the cold water.
On the final day, the well-seasoned crew expertly
navigated the majestic schooner back to her berth
in Bellingham, and all agreed it had been a great
cruise.
Washington DC
As part of our partnership with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), a small group
of students represented BMA to our supporters
in Washington D.C. The group presented to a panel
of NOAA personnel our progress and achievements.
The group also traveled to Baltimore to tour the
harbor, the National Aquarium, and meet with local
students working at the aquarium. The students
had a great time touring Baltimore, and ended
the day at Camden yards, watching the Orioles
beat the Boston Red Sox. They also met with Senator
Patty Murray, and toured the capitol, memorials
and many of the Smithsonian museums. On the final
day, the students traveled to Annapolis, MD to
tour the US Naval Academy. We had the opportunity
to go aboard one of the academy’s vessels
and use the school’s oceanographic equipment.
Syttende
Mai Parade
BMA, once again, entered a float in the annual
Syttende Mai Parade (May 17) better know as Norwegian
Independence Day. We followed the school’s
band and demonstrated survival techniques with
a life raft and students in survival suits, despite
the unseasonably warm weather. |
BMA Maritime Training
BMA has begun Maritime Training Certification
programs after the school day to help the kids
turn their maritime education into a maritime
job. STCW (standards for training and certification
of watch standing) training will be offered in
mid-June. This is a fabulous opportunity for students
to receive training in basic first aid, fire fighting
and other skills necessary in a maritime environment.
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End-of-year
Fundraising Dinner
This year’s fundraising dinner was a grand
success. We had our largest turnout ever, with
many students and parents attending the events
as well as supporters from the various local maritime
industries and agencies. Dinner of beef tenderloin
and salmon, Pollock and crab was served. Monte
Crowley accepted the Maritime Educator of the
year award for Foss Maritime, a longtime supporter
of the program. Larry Hendrickson, star of the
surprise television hit Deadliest Catch, told
of his experience as a crab fisherman and encouraged
the students to continue their education. Both
the live and silent auctions were very successful,
with many items creating heated bidding wars in
the crowd. The outgoing seniors were honored with
a slide show presentation, and given their graduation
certificates. Many thanks to Jim McManus, Gary
Stauffer, and especially Charlie See and Doug
Dixon for all their work on the dinner.
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Seniors
Seniors in the academy this year had the opportunity
to take two new courses. One, taught in conjunction
with Zenith Maritime, was a Coast Guard-approved
course to receive their OUPV (operator of uninspected
passenger vessels) license, an entry-level Coast
Guard license. The other course was a capstone
marine science course, concentrating more on Oceanography.
OUPV
Seniors have been working hard all semester learning
the basics of safely operating a vessel. Subjects
include:
· Piloting and Navigation (Charting, dead
reckoning, aids to navigation, cross bearing fixes,
tides and current, set and drift, weather)
· Navigation Rules (International vs. Inland
waters, right of way, sail vs. power vessels,
lights and signals, emergency situations)
· Deck General (Safety and environmental
regulations, USCG licensing, ropes and deck hardware,
ship handling and maneuvering, mooring and anchoring,
fire fighting and prevention)
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Ballard Maritime Academy 2008
Ballard
Maritime Academy has covered a lot of ground (and
water) this year. Our students have learned about
navigation, maritime history/geography/industry,
marine biology, oil spill response, biological
sampling, mapping, knot tying, vessel mechanical
systems, engineering systems, propulsion and engineering
theory, wood working, and hand tools. They have
learned valuable educational and life-skill lessons.
And, they’ve had fun doing so. At the end
of the day, we couldn’t ask for more from
BMA.
Thanks again to Ballard High School foundation
for their past, present and continued support
of BMA. Thanks to our maritime supporters for
their participation and continued support in making
this program a success. Special thanks to NOAA,
Trident Seafoods, Pacific Fisherman, Port of Seattle,
Holland American Lines, The Glosten Associates,
Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, United States
Coast Guard, Foss Maritime Co., Rich Haynie Insurance,
UW College of Oceans and Fishery Science, Zenith
Maritime, Sail Sandpoint, Ballard Oil, Schooner
Zodiac, North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association
and Youth Maritime Training Association.
A special big thanks to all our steering committee
members (spaces are available for next year)
And
thanks to all of you for your support.
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Sophomores
Sophomores in the academy take Maritime Survey,
Marine Biology and World History III together
as a cohort.
Port
of Seattle
One of the first units of study for the sophomore
students in the Maritime Survey course is World
Trade and shipping. The students built their own
“cargo” ships and tested the boats’
cargo-carrying capacity in our test tank. The
group also toured the Port of Seattle facilities,
with students acting as “tour guides,”
teaching the class about various aspects of the
port. The group also visited the Pacific Maritime
Institute, and were able to use the school’s
bridge simulator to “drive’ a variety
of ships on Puget Sound.
Fish Expo/USCG Ice Breaker Healy
The next field trip with the sophomore class was
to Pacific Marine Expo. PME is the commercial
fishing conference held every year on the West
Coast. Vendors and exhibitors from every aspect
of the maritime business are there to show the
latest and greatest in marine technology. The
kids were engaged and the Vendors loved talking
to what they hoped to be future customers. The
students also got to tour USCG ice breaker Healy
and to eat lunch with the crew in the mess hall.
Oil Spill simulation
For their final in both Martime Survey and Biology,
sophomore students took part in a mock oil spill
simulation. Students played the role of emergency
responders, using the resources and equipment
actual responders use.
Seattle Aquarium
Another group of students in the Marine Biology
course went for an extended two-day visit to Seattle
Aquarium. Day One gave us a behind-the-scenes
tour of the newly renovated aquarium and we had
a mini-job fair with Aquarium employees. On Day
Two, we had an in-depth educational session in
which we identified 30 local flora and fauna.
ORCA Bowl
BMA once again participated in the ORCA Bowl at
UW School of Oceanography. ORCA Bowl is a round
robin, double-elimination academic tournament.
Competition questions test students’ general
knowledge of the ocean sciences, with both multiple
choice and short answer questions. A good time
was had by all and we took 7th place, out highest
finish.
Citizen Science
In conjunction with the Seattle Aquarium, BMA
students monitor the ecosystems of two local waterfront
parks using selected flora and fauna as indicators
of change. The study includes habit characterization,
relative abundance transects and a biodiversity
survey. BMA was designated as ‘model school’
to mentor Rainer Beach HS this year. Our students
will work together at Carkeek and Discovery Parks.
Odyssey Career Day
Once again, sophomore students participated in
the Maritime Career Day at the Odyssey Maritime
Discovery Center on Pier 66. The students had
the opportunity to tour the Odyssey center, meet
representatives from local maritime businesses
and government agencies, and witness a tugboat
demonstration. The group also toured a number
of vessels including Sea Scout, Port of Seattle,
Divers Institute and Seattle Fire Department ships.
Salish Sea Expeditions Science/Sailing
Trip
In May, the sophomore students took part in a
sailing trip aboard the yawl Carlyn with the Salish
Sea Expeditions. The group left from Anacortes,
and immediately spotted seals and herons at the
mouth of the marina. Soon after entering Rosario
Strait, we spotted porpoises and a minke whale
cruising past. The students were quickly divided
into two groups, and immediately began their respective
operations. While one group took charge of operating
the boat, the other group used the ship’s
equipment to collect plankton from the Puget Sound
waters.
That evening, the group anchored
at Jones Island, with one group setting up camp
in the campground, and the other settling on the
boat. After exploring the island, the groups played
games around a smoky campfire and prepared for
another day on the water.
On the second day,
the two groups again worked together, navigating
the boat and collecting samples. In the end, the
groups shared the data they’d found and
collaborated on what conclusions they could draw
from their experience. The boat returned to Anacortes
and the students cleaned the ship and reluctantly
unloaded their bags for the long trek back to
Ballard.
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Juniors
Junior students in the academy take the year-long
Maritime Skills course, as well as LA 11 and American
History.
Maritime
Skills
The students in Maritime Skills complete a number
of hands-on projects through the year:
·
Marlinespike skills (Lines and ropes, knots, splicing,
rigging, sail/canvas construction and repair)
· Navigation (Chart reading, tides and
currents, dead reckoning, navigation tools, trip
planning)
· ROV competition (Electricity and electrical
circuits, ROV design, buoyancy and stability)
· Shipboard Technology (Marine technology,
GPS, RADAR, SONAR, communications)
· Ship Construction (Ship design, construction,
and repair, materials and methods)
Seattle
Boat Show
As part of the unit on shipboard technology, the
Maritime Skills students toured the Seattle Boat
Show this year. Students got to see what is new
in the recreational boating industry, and kick
a field goal on Qwest Field to try to win a new
boat.
BICNA
BMA Juniors completed the BICNA (Bainbridge Island
CircumNavigation Assignment), in which they act
as tour guide to chart a kayak circumnavigation
of Bainbridge Island.
ROVs
This spring, BMA students have been working on
ROV (remote operator vehicles) for school competition
while learning how ROVs are used in maritime industry.
Job Shadows/Internships
Twenty-six students participated in job shadowing
in number of different disciplines from hands-on
design, port management to onboard experience.
Of these, five students are planning to complete
internships with local maritime businesses over
the summer.
Engineer for a day
A big hit with the Junior class was our second
Engineer-for-a-Day field trip in which students
got a hands-on look at the historic tugboat Arthur
Foss, the lightship Swiftsure, the fireboat Duwamish
and the Mosquito Fleet steamship Virginia V.
Half hull models
For their final project, the juniors are creating
half-hull models of the R-class sloop Pirate.
The project allows the students to understand
the theories of ship design and construction |
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Ballard
Maritime Academy Students to Embark on College Journey
Students from the Ballard Maritime Academy class
of 2008 are preparing to embark on the next leg
of their journey into the maritime world. One senior,
Ian Andrewes, is planning to attend the Pacific
Maritime Institute in Seattle, as an intern with
Dunlap Towing. Earlier this year, Ian took part
in a two-week training cruise to Alaska aboard one
of the Dunlap Towing tugboats. After completing
the two-year program, Ian will have the certifications
to serve as a crew member on one of the tugboats.
Another Ballard Maritime senior, Michael Diaz, has
been accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis,
Maryland. He will be part of the 2009 pledge class
at the academy, and hopes to become a U.S. Marine
Corps officer upon graduation. Mike had the opportunity
to visit the school last spring as part of a group
of students from the Ballard Maritime Academy and
met with representatives from the school. Two Ballard
Maritime Academy seniors are headed to the California
Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA to join the six
BMA students already attending. Nevin Garcia and
Matt Barrett have been accepted at Cal Maritime,
the only four-year maritime academy on the West
Coast. Students at Cal Maritime combine classroom
instruction with professional development and experiential
learning, including a two-month cruise aboard the
school’s training vessel, The Golden Bear.
Upon completion, students receive a four-year degree
as well as an internationally-recognized Coast Guard
license from Cal Maritime.
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YMTA
Scholarship Presentations
On the morning of April 19th at 9:00 am the YMTA
scholarship presentations will take place at the
Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center 2205 Alaska Way,
Pier 66. This scholarship is open to students and
Sea Scout that are preparing to enter into a maritime
career path that will start with either a two or
four year college degree. If your student is thinking
about applying for the scholarship come on down
and watch the presentations. There is $10,000 worth
of scholarship monies available. For more information
about the scholarship the web site address is www.YMTA.net
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Syttende
Mai Parade
Once again the Ballard Maritime Academy will be
entering a float in the annual Syttende Mai parade
on Saturday May 17, this is the annual Ballard parade
and the celebration signifies the day, May 17, 1814
that Norway became an independent country. Last
year the Ballard Maritime Academy proudly took first
place and you can see our trophy on display in the
boat shop, it sure would be fun if we could do it
again this year!! If you have any ideas for a float
or want to participate in the parade, please contact
the BMA lead teacher John Foster at jffoster@seattleschools.org.
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Graduation
Celebration & Fundraising dinner
June 6th is this year’s annual graduation
celebration and fundraising dinner auction for the
Ballard Maritime Academy. We get to hear from our
graduating seniors and once more Holland American
Lines will be donating a fabulous cruise for the
auction. The fundraising dinner will be at the Leif
Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, with the
social hour starting at 6:00pm. |
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Next
Steering Commitee Meeting
The next Steering Committee meeting for the
Ballard Maritime Academy is Monday April 7th
in the boat shop room NW211 from 4:00 to 5:30
pm where you can hear the report on activites
in your student’s classroom from John
Foster and Megan Vogel, the Marine Sciences
teacher. The Steering Committee meets on the
first Monday of the month and is open to all
parents and students. |
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Calendar
So be sure to mark your calendars for
April 7th meeting - 4:00pm BHS Boat Shop NW211
April 19th scholarships - 9:00am Odyssey Center
May 5th meeting - 4:00pm BHS Boat Shop NW211
May 17th parade
June 2nd meeting 4:00 pm BHS Boat Shop NW211
June 6th graduation and fundraising dinner
6:00 pm |
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Thanks
You's
We thank the Ballard High School Foundation for
their past, present and continued support of BMA.
We also thank our maritime supporters for their
participation and continued support in making this
a great and successful program - NOAA, Trident Seafoods,
Pacific Fishermen, Port of Seattle, Holland American
Lines, The Glosten Associates, Odyssey Maritime
Discovery Center, United States Coast Guard, Foss
Maritime Co, Rich Haynie Insurance, University of
Washington College of Oceans and Fishery Science,
Zenith Maritime, North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners
Association, and Youth Maritime Training Association.
Sincerely,
Ballard Maritime Steering Committee |
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| We
would like to welcome back our junior and senior
students and a big welcome to all the new sophomore
students!
John
Foster is the lead teacher for the BMA and has
an extensive maritime related background as well
as having served in the Navy.
The goal of the BMA is
to introduce students to the job opportunities
available to them in the many different maritime
related industries from marine biologist, fisherman,
shipyards to boat designer, or maritime attorney
or working on a Cruise Ship.
Megan Vogel heads
the marine science part of the program and has
a wide range of experiences in biology and marine
science. She is very creative and dedicated at
providing the students with many opportunities
to experience marine science in the lab and at
sea. The program is very hands on with many field
trips to a variety of marine related locations
around Seattle and the country.
We would like to
welcome John Nygaard who will be teaching a maritime
history class. John is a former BHS grad and a
former fisherman and Greg Feise will be teaching
a Maritime history class again this year.
The
teachers have filled up there calendar with field
trips and events for the students again this year.
BMA has already participated at the Fisherman’s
Fall Festival by having a booth and coming in
third in the survival suit races, going against
such teams as the USCG and Trident Seafoods. The
annual event at Sail Sandpoint is coming up October
12 and parents are welcome to come and join the
fun! Also coming up is Pacific Maritime Expo in
November, Odyssey Maritime Career Day, Citizen
Science with Ms Vogel, boarding a Holland American
Cruise ship, the NOAA ships and touring NOAA’s
campus. The students will visit the Port of Seattle,
Kvichak Boats, Western Towboat, and UW School
of Oceanography, Applied Physics, Fisheries annual
open house. In the spring there is the annual
trip to Washington DC, the Ballard parade which
BMA took 1st place last year and our annual fund
raising dinner in June where we honor our graduating
seniors. During the summer between junior and
senior year the BMA students can participate in
a paid internship program with supporting maritime
companies.
Last
year two of our seniors won scholarships from
the Youth Maritime Training Association’s
(YMTA) scholarship program. E.T. Ehler received
a scholarship for $5,000. and Alvin Garica received
a $1,000. scholarship, both students are attending
California Maritime Academy this fall and have
also received scholarships from Cal Maritime.
For further information about the YMTA scholarships
go to www.YMTA.net.
If
you wish to contact one of your children teachers
with any questions please email John Foster at
jffoster@seattleschools.org or Megan Vogel at
mevogel@seattleschools.org.
The
BMA Steering Committee meets the first Monday
of every month between 4:00 and 5:30 pm in the
boat shop, next meeting is November 5, 2007. We
welcome parents to participate and volunteer.
Once
again the Ballard Maritime Academy looks forward
to another very exciting year!
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