Interim Captain
Mike has been a Seamanship / IBU Instructor since 2015 and is currently serving as the Interim Captain.
After transitioning from the Coast Guard, with 23 years of honorable service as a Bosin Mate Chief. He worked in the Maritime and Oil Spill Response industries as a Master Mariner, Project Manager and General Manager.
A native of Croydon, Pennsylvania, Mike grew up in Manchester, Connecticut and honorably served for 4 years in the US Army.
Mike is married to Kathy, they have been married for 28 awesome years. They are the proud parents of 3 daughters, Ericka, Angela and Nikki, and a son Jason. They have 6 grandchildren and 1 on the way. Mike loves to work on his tree farm, hang out with Kathy, and take out the boat. He still races Enduro Motorcycles.
Students in training
T/V IRONWOOD
T/V COLUMBIA
JOB CORPS’ SEAMANSHIP PROGRAM IS A MARITIME TRAINING PROGRAM OFFERED BY INLAND BOATMEN'S UNION (IBU)
OVERVIEW
The Job Corps Seamanship Training Center is located on the campus of Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, Oregon, near the mouth of the Columbia River. Founded in 1980, it’s administered by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Job Corps as it’s only maritime training facility, and is operated by the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific in conjunction with Management & Training Corporation. The Director of Seamanship is Captain Len R. Tumbarello, USCG (retired). He served in the U. S. Coast Guard for 28 years and began his tenure as Director in June 2013.
:
1. IRONWOOD (80 Years Old)—Retired Coast Guard ‘C’ class buoy tender. A 180 ft X 37 ft, 743 gross ton, seagoing training ship. Completely maintained and operated to the same standards previously held by the U. S. Coast Guard.
2. COLUMBIA (43 Years Old)---Retired Columbia River Bar Pilot vessel, 82 ft X 23 ft.
3. TP EAGLE---a 110 ft X 32 ft training barge. Equipped with engineering classrooms, staff offices, and engineering work shops.
4. Rigid hull inflatable rescue boat—ex-U. S. Coast Guard 24 ft, 175 hp rescue boat.
The Department of Labor and U. S. Coast Guard policies for instructors require assessment and approval of instructor qualifications, approval of course curriculum, instruction procedures, and the establishment of quality standards to ensure oversight and ongoing assessment of the training. Frequent audits of the training center by the Department of Labor and U. S. Coast Guard ensure continuous compliance.
In addition to the training curriculum, each cadet is required to participate in an internship with a maritime organization as part of a ship’s crew. These internships are typically 30 days in length and allow cadets to experience “real world” on-the-job training. Currently, the Seamanship program has over 30 internship agreements with various maritime industry entities. Our vision is to have internships in every segment of the Maritime Industry throughout the U.S.
We recognize that in addition to learning essential Deck and Engineering hard-skills, our cadets need to be held to very high performance/behavior standards to develop and hone their soft-skills. These skills include:
Communications
Attention to Detail
Timeliness
Self-Discipline
Information Management
Career & Personal Planning
Independent Living
Continuous Learning
Workplace Relationships & Ethics
Problem/Solving
Critical Thinking
Personal Growth & Development
Interpersonal Skills
Career Readiness
Attendance & Dress
Personal/Crew Safety
Multicultural Awareness
Risk Management
The Seamanship Training Program at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center is a popular and successful program which currently places 95.5% of our graduates in the maritime industry. These cadets are expected to adhere to the Seamanship Program’s “watch words” of Proficiency in craft, taking care of People, Professionalism at all times and Passion for the job. As this program is fully funded by the U. S. Department of Labor, cadets are able to attend the training program at no cost while living on campus. This includes complete residential living, health and wellness facilities, recreational and physical fitness programs, and academic educational programs, as well as the Seamanship Training Program.
The Seamanship Training Program at Tongue Point offers an exceptional opportunity for young men and women to prepare and ultimately begin their successful careers working as U. S. Coast Guard credentialed Merchant Mariners.
SEAMANSHIP NUMBERS TO KNOW
$60,000 National average Earning potential for this career
Average Entry Wage: Apprentice Entry level $22.00 to $35.00 per hour.
Credentials - These are the credentials students have the opportunity to earn.
Merchant Mariner Credential - Able Seaman Limited
Merchant Mariner Credential - Ordinary Seaman
Proficiency in Survival Craft - 100 Hr - Lifeboatman
QMED - Qualified Member of Engine Department - Junior Engineer
Deck Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (Helm/Lookout)
QMED Rating - Forming Part of an Engine Watch
STCW-BT Basic Shipboard Fire Fighting, Survival at Sea & Personal Safety
Tankerman Certification (PIC)
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
CPR/1st Aid
Lockout/Tagout - Hazardous Energy
Seamanship Program’s Expectations
“Vision” Through strong partnerships with Maritime organizations, continue to gain greater & positive program exposure to develop internships/job placement opportunities in locations throughout the United States and in every segment of the Maritime Industry.
“Mission” Through solid mentorship, develop proficient, professional, passionate credentialed Merchant Mariners towards a successful career in the Maritime Industry.
“Core Values”
Proficiency- Continually strive to attain knowledge and skills necessary to do the job at a high-level of performance.
People- Treat everyone with dignity/respect & take care of yourself, so you can take care of your Shipmates!
Professionalism-Be a squared away Sailor that does the right things at all times even when no one is looking.
Passion- Pour all energy & thought into doing the job well, but take time to enjoy life.
“Student Goals”
• 100% Completion of AB, QMED, Steward in 18-24 months.
• 100% Completion of a 30-day WBL.
• 70% of students on Gold or Platinum Privilege Level.
• 5% or less of students on Performance Probation.
• 100% Mishap free & Safe Work environment.
• 5% of Graduates attending Advance Education at MERTs.
• 100% Job Match Placement at 90-day post-graduation date.
Work Force Council Assessment Form
The assessment form that you fill out will greatly aid us in keeping our training programs relevant for your industries. Please take a few more minutes of your time at the end of today's meeting to complete this form.
Hover over the image to the left and then click the upper left corner in the box with the arrow in it, the form will open in a new tab. When you are done with the form just click the submit button.
Instructor Wish List
New/updated Training Vessel
New/updated 30 person gravity davit lifeboat
New/updated Rigid hull inflatable rescue boat
Typical Tools & Equipment
The Seamanship program has on 1,000 foot pier dedicated for the mooring of vessels and for the classrooms, rigging loft, and office space. Our training vessels include the following:
1. Training Vessel IRONWOOD
WLB 297 180’ x 37’ - 743 gross tons, Seagoing buoy tender, 80 years old
2. M/V COLUMBIA, Retired Columbia River Bar Pilot Boat
3. Barge TP Eagle, 110’ x 32’
4. 30 person gravity davit lifeboat, 60 years old
5. 24’ Rigid hull inflatable rescue boat
Ironwood & Columbia
WEBSITES:
TSA web site for requirements and instructions on how & where to apply for a TWIC card: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm
Video Tour
https://tour.panoee.com/ironwood/64bffae8eda25e50d94948a4
Direct link: https://www.opb.org/news/article/seamanship-training-job-corps-astoria/?outputType=amp