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Photo: Orange County Commissioner checks out the view from the helm of a ship simulator at Lamar State College Orange during the school’s recent Maritime Day.

Photo: Destiny Johnson of Orange tries her hand at guiding a ship through the intracoastal waterway during a Maritime Day hands-on demonstration of the new ship simulator at Lamar State College Orange.

The maritime industry is expected to be one of the fastest growing careers in Texas and Lamar State College Orange is ready to say “Anchors, Aweigh!”

LSCO is the only program between Houston and New Orleans that can provide the training for the growing maritime industry. And at much lower cost alternatives.

Orange’s workforce trainer, LSCO, offers Coast Guard-approved continuing education and certification renewal courses. Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard approved it to offer the 100 Ton Master and Upgrade to 200 Ton Master courses.

The training facility includes state-of-the-art Transas Simulators that allow new and seasoned mariners to train in safe operation of all types of vessels through Texas, Louisiana and other U.S. waterways.

The Texas Workforce Commission expects maritime industry careers to go 14% across the state in coming years. The Department of Labor estimates similar growth across the country.

Beginning in the fall semester, LSCO will offer an Ordinary Seaman/BST certificate.

One full load of classes, 15 hours worth, is all that’s required to land the certificate needed to land a deckhand job and hit the high seas.

LSCO is also affiliated with Yamaha Marine University. The outboard motor company has partnered with the local school to offer technical and service management training.

“This program works with 28 dealers in the local area to create new outboard motor technicians.

“This is absolutely a job we need more people in,” Yamaha’s Bruce Addison, a district service manager, said during an appearance at LSCO’s Maritime Day, July 17.

“The only place we can recruit for that is high schools and young adults.

“We stepped up with this program because we saw the need for it.”

Captain Chris Horner, who runs the LSCO Maritime Program, holds an Unlimited Master Captain license and has traveled the world on the sea.

For more information about available training, call Capt. Horner at 409-882-3032, or email [email protected]