Washington County Community College has announced the restart of its Marine Technology Center, better known as the Eastport Boat School. What the program will look like in terms of focus and curriculum is not yet clear.
Bret Blanchard, who chairs the Boat School program, said after a recent meeting with school administrator Darin McGaw, “The curriculum is still up in the air.”
The community college suspended the Boat School program in April 2004 citing a lack of resources and a drop in enrollment. The restart will take effect with the fall session.
Legendary master boatbuilder Ralph Stanley, the Boat School’s elder statesman, was succinct. “They’re talking, but they’re not saying anything,” he said of the WCTC administration.
“We heard loud and clear from Maine’s marine employers that there is an acute need for skilled boat builders and those working on marine systems,” said WCTC President Bill Cassidy. “We’re excited to bring the program back, more invigorated, and building a stronger alliance with industry – the marine industry is a vital part of Maine’s heritage and our economy, and we’re committed to working in partnership with them to help build a workforce for the future.”
A statement issued by Karen Hamilton, Publications & Marketing Coordinator for the Maine Community College System, said, “As a result of discussions with industry representatives, the college has broadened the program curriculum from its focus on traditional wooden boat building to encompass wooden, fiberglass and composite boat construction, and related marine systems. The college is also launching an aggressive recruitment drive, and a fundraising effort for scholarships and program equipment.”
Asked about the “broadened” program, McGaw, who also serves as WCCC Dean of Students, acknowledged that the school has offered courses in wood, fiberglass and composite construction. He added that the college is looking to expand its boatbuilding program to a sister campus in Rockland. “We’ll have the same program, same materials.” He also indicated the program might be expanded to other campuses but said he wasn’t ready to talk details at this point.
McGaw described his role at the Boat School as that of “team leader” with faculty members Blanchard and Dean Pike. “Basically, I’ll be signing forms and paying bills, but I’ll also be working with Bret on curriculum issues.” What we need to do is put together courses that are applicable to the industry.”
McGaw said his primary focus will be on enrollment. “I’d like to see us in double digits, and I’d love to see us at the maximum, 20 students. Consequently, we’ve been running a statewide advertising and marketing program. All in all, we’re looking forward to wonderful, magical things.”
In Southwest Harbor, veteran boatbuilder Ralph Stanley laid out what he’d like to see at the Boat School, although he allowed as how he hasn’t been asked by the WCCC administration.
Essentially, Stanley would like to see students “get down to the basic boat construction, including how to use your tools, how to take care of them, heap them sharp, and get and know good tools.”
He’d also like to see an apprenticeship program of sorts. “I’d have them go out into selected boatyards, spend a number of months in a yard and learn about wooden construction, then spend another few months in another yard and learn fiberglass, get a full taste of all aspects of the boatbuilding industry.”
Stanley added, “And you know I’d have them learn how to handle boats, how to row and get a knowledge of sailing.”
He also recommended going after students “who really have the incentive to learn,”
He paused. “You know there’s an attitude sometimes that you don’t have to be very bright to be a boatbuilder. Well, that’s wrong. Most of the boatbuilders I knew grew up building something, even as kids.”
Stanley also recommended that WCCC officials take a look at other boatbuilding schools, even as far away as the West Coast. “Study them, see how others are doing it.”
Finally, he said, “I’d really like to see is more of an emphasis on wooden boatbuilding. If you can build a wooden boat, you can build anything.”