Program Description
The Peninsula College Marine Technology AAS degree prepares students for jobs in the marine repair and manufacturing industry as marine service technicians. Developed in collaboration with local employers, classes align with job skills and industry certifications. The program provides students with hands-on experiences through labs, aboard boats, workplace internships, and traditional classroom experiences. The customized training includes marine electronics and repair, marine mechanics and outboard motor repair, aluminum welding, boat fabrication and assembly, marine rigging, plumbing, and pumps, carpentry, cabinetmaking, and finishing for boats, first aid, boat safety, and marine spill response. General education competencies are embedded in the classes.
Program Length: 6 Quarters
Program Code: MMSMTAPT
Career Opportunities and Earnings
There is a growing demand for talented people with marine mechanic, electrical and repair skills; and an increasing number of employers on the Olympic Peninsula are seeking workers with boat fabrication skills. Graduates may find positions with a variety of companies and organizations in the public and private sectors. Potential positions include:
- Boat Mechanic
- Marine Mechanic
- Marine Propulsion Technician
- Marine Service Technician
- Motorboat Mechanic
- Outboard Motor Mechanic
Wages often begin around $24.29 per hour. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit and search for the relevant occupational term: bls.gov/oes.
Essential Functions and Requirements
Most marine technology jobs require standing for extended periods, as well as lifting, bending, climbing stairs, and performing repetitive hand movements to manipulate tools and materials.
Program Outcomes
When this program is completed, the student will be able to:
- Install, repair, and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines
- Demonstrate operation and maintenance of shipboard propulsion, hydraulic, electrical, and auxiliary systems
- Carry out the preventative maintenance program and repairs aboard a vessel
- Demonstrate basic DC electrical circuit theory, installation, and testing
- Repair and maintain marine plumbing systems
- Fabricate aluminum and fiberglass boats
- Prepares exterior surfaces of vessels for priming and painting
- Describe marine spill response principles and techniques
- Work effectively as a part of a team
Program Prerequisites
Students entering this program should have good familiarity with computer software and hardware in the Windows or MAC environment. College-level skills in English and math (eligibility for courses numbered 100 or higher) are required before registering for the English, math, or applied math courses in this program. Students may need to complete prerequisite coursework.
Approximate Additional Costs
- Books, supplies and miscellaneous fees (per quarter): $TBD
- Tools/Equipment: $TBD
Sample Schedule
This sample schedule is provided as a guide for a full-time student starting in fall quarter whose goal is to earn the AAS. The typical student schedule is based on entering the program during the fall quarter, however some programs allow students to enter in the winter or spring as well. Since not all do, please confirm with an advisor whether this program must be started during a specific quarter or not.
First Quarter (Fall)
Learn how to maintain and install outboard motors, rig new boats, select propellers, and repair two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Class includes hands-on routine maintenance and how to troubleshoot, diagnose, prepare estimates for outboard engine repair. Basic trailer repair and maintenance included. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 7
Introduction to basic electrical theory and marine electronics, repair, safety, rigging, and corrosion prevention. Learn how to read and interpret wiring diagrams. Includes Ohm’s law, cable installation, volt systems, and standards for wiring, battery installation and testing, inverters, AC and DC circuit installation and troubleshooting boat equipment and systems. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 8
Second Quarter (Winter)
College mathematics used in professional and technical programs. Content includes mathematical modeling and applications employing numerical operations; measurements; geometry; linear and nonlinear equations; exponent, radical, and polynomial operations; functions; formulas; plane analytical geometry with graphing; and an introduction to trigonometry. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 5
Marine systems safety, maintenance and repair of shipboard mechanical systems. Includes propulsion and motor power principles, engines, propellers, steering systems, controls, instruments, and accessories. Students will learn hands-on routine maintenance and how to troubleshoot and service marine mechanical systems, plumbing, pumps, and rigging. Includes the proper methods of installation, safety, testing, trouble shooting, diagnostics and repair of marine mechanical equipment. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 8
Oil spill responders protect marine ecosystems by minimizing the environmental impact of an oil spill. This class provides an introduction to marine oil spill response, risk management, chemical safety in clean-up, decontamination, and scientific discoveries and innovations that minimize damage to marine and coastal environments. Students will discuss the impact of oil spills on marine life, coastal preservation, and other issues that affect the wellbeing of oceans and waterways. Course aligns with International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response, and Cooperation conventions for first-line marine spill responders. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 4
Third Quarter (Spring)
Active reading, effective writing, and critical thinking, using subjective and objective approaches. Introduction to research techniques. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)
Credits: 5
Hands on class teaches students how to install interior components of an aluminum boat. Learn the causes of corrosion in the marine environment and methods of corrosion control and prevention. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 6
Prepare and use resin fiberglass panels and molds to produce and bond together marine components for vessel assembly. Class includes repair and finishing of resin surfaces. Prepare exterior surfaces of boats for priming and painting. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 6
Basic boating navigation, safety, emergency response, and legal requirements of boating in Washington State. Class includes overview of American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards and preparation for the Washington State boater’s card. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 1
Fourth Quarter (Fall)
First quarter of three-quarter series to produce trade welders qualified to enter the job market. Introduction to American Welding Standards (AWS) in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), oxy-acetylene flame cutting, welding symbols, joint design, and welding terminology. Learn to lay out, cut, prepare, fit- up, and weld together metal to repair parts and fabricate projects using SMAW. This class may include students from multiple sections.
This class has a $200 welding supplies course fee.
Credits: 15
Fifth Quarter (Winter)
Survey of workplace skills, including communication, team building, problem solving, and leadership. Emphasis on concepts of perception, attitude, motivation, and ethics.
Credits: 3
Complete 15 credits of advisor-approved Skilled Trades electives. WELD 120 recommended.
Sixth Quarter (Spring)
Prepares individuals to perform basic first aid procedures in cases of emergencies. Learn how to prevent accidents in the home and on the job. Adult CPR. Provides two-year certification. This class may include students from multiple sections.
This class has a $135.72 first aid course fee.
Credits: 1
This class will provide opportunities for students to participate in internships with local employers. This class may include students from multiple sections.
Credits: 1 - 5
Students must complete a minimum of 1 credit of MTEC 291: Marine Technology Internship to complete the internship requirement portion of this degree.
Complete a minimum of 5 credits of advisor-approved Skilled Trades electives. WELD 130 recommended.