Advanced Seamanship Class
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A CAPTAIN - or just improve your on deck game
September 2026
The advanced seamanship class is like a long conversation at the bar, picking the brain of those out in the maritime industry. It's 6 classroom sessions, and 4 underway sessions on our St Joseph charter boat.
This class seeks to answer questions around advancing your maritime life:
"I got a Captain's License. Now what?"
" Can I use my boat for a business?"
"How do become a top candidate for competitive crew opportunities?"
Every session has practical skills, hacks, and decision making practice.
Module - Ship Ops - The Secret Life of the Pro Mariner : What's really going on 'below deck'
Module - Emergency Preparedness: When the Drunk Guy Falls Off
Module - Delivering Boats: Quickly Sizing Up Seas, Systems and Sailors
Module - Navigation: Routes, Resources, and Radios
Module - Charters: Ins and Outs of Using Your Boat or License for Business
Module - Bad Ass Skills: Wires, Winches, Water-pumps, and What-knot
Mini Session - Don't Fear the Freighter
Mini Session - Making Your Ditch Kit!
Mini Session - Insurance
Mini Session - Embracing the "Oh Shit" Moments
Mini Session - Standing the Best Watch Ever
Mini Session - Everyone Needs a Kenny - Building your network
Classroom Sessions are held in South Haven, Michigan and are :
Tuesday and Wednesday - Sep 8th and 9th 6:00pm - 8:15pm
Tuesday and Wednesday - Sep 15th and 16th 6:00pm - 8:15pm
Tuesday and Wednesday - Sep 21st and 22nd 6:00pm - 8:15pm
4 Underway Sessions will be individually scheduled Thursdays through Mondays from September 10th - 27th. This will on MJ at our docks in St Joseph. Exact address to be announced with welcome packet.
We limit the underway portion to 2 students per trip in order to maximize hands on learning.
Sailing on the MJ
Beside the awesome network of mariners you'll meet, the best part of this class is you will build out your sailing resume with time as real crew on the Tall Ship MJ.
From here on out, you're "experienced crew."
While Sailing on MJ You'll:
- Perform all the roles of the station bill (emergency response team), something ever pro mariner needs to know
- Drive the ship - practice the hacks of figuring out a new ship quickly
- Crew on deck handling a schooner rig- the most popular style of tall ship
- Take command and run the daily operations of guest, crew, and ship management (We've got your back, but you got practice, right? )
4 Underway Sessions will be individually scheduled Thursdays through Mondays from September 10th - 27th. We limit the underway portion to 2 students per trip in order to maximize hands on learning.
We do understand that not everyone wants to go sail tall ships - But this practice is crucial to building confidence observing and running a deck, as well as handling other people's (smaller) boats.