Starboard Deck

Mike has been a Seamanship / IBU Instructor since 2015.

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. 

A friend and Alumni of TPJJC Seamanship Program, Captain Allen Hovden - Sause Brothers Ocean Towing, had just signed up and told me about this Program, saying it was great way to get my AB Ticket.  

It was a no-brainer and I enrolled!  

I came through this very Seamanship Program back in September 1993 through June 1995.  It was hands down, one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made in my life!  

I chose a Career in the Maritime Industry because I witnessed many of my friends succeed in the industry. It provided security and stability and the means for a very comfortable life. It’s an industry that is never going away, simply because it is the best, safest and most efficient way to move large volumes of cargo from Point A to Point B with Credentialed Merchant Mariners.  

The Tongue Point Seamanship Program taught and trained me to be a Professional Mariner and set the pathway to success.  I have never had more opportunity to succeed in life than from working in this field!  Opportunities come from opportunities and they just kept coming, non-stop; with good old-fashioned hard work!  I love this Industry that gave so much to me and my Family. 

Working here now, teaching Students all about it, is my way of giving back.  The best part of being a Seamanship Instructor is getting that phone call from a Graduate and hearing about their Success!   

Starboard Deck

I started working at TPJCC in July 2019. I  grew up in Seaside, Oregon and graduated from Seaside High. I am married to Barbi England and I have six kids and three granddaughters and three grandsons.

My work history started in the mechanics shop while in High School, the forestry wildland fire while in college, and then 25 years in the US Coast Guard. I then attended and graduated from MERTS with a Vessel Operations Degree. 

One day I walked into a Coast Guard Recruiting Office and was promised travel and adventure and that’s what happened.

Gordon Treber found out I was bored being retired and Mike Sasso hounded me till I finally interviewed. Looked like a good mission to help out some good people.

My favorite part of the job and working with students is seeing the students get solid skills “when the bulb comes on”  and be productive citizens with a focus. 

The most important thing students can or should learn from me is the drive to keep moving up in the world. Continuously learning.

The best advice to students heading out into the real world and trade environment is to stay safe and be a good shipmate.

For completing students or for those who have done anything in an extraordinary manner I just give them good verbal recognition and to remind them to stay in touch so we can share in all their victories and accomplishments in the real world so that we can share with current students what is attainable if you try hard and work harder.

Engineering

Galley Instructor