Huntington, W.Va. — Mountwest Community & Technical College is offering deckhand basic training Nov. 16-22 through its Maritime Academy. At the completion of this seven-day training, participants will be equipped with the skills and certification needed to join the rapidly-growing maritime industry.

Deckhands build, maintain, and deliver barge tows. They assist wheelhouse personnel in navigating locks while in transit. They also maintain the boat that they work and live on. Boats run 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. A typical day would consist of building a barge tow, passing locks, maintaining the tow, pumping barges, and cleaning/painting the boat. The work is physically demanding and requires exposure to the elements in all conditions at all hours throughout the year.

The maritime industry offers good pay, benefits, and more time off than most other industries. For more information in participating in this training opportunity, please contact Sherri Sowards at 304-697-5616 or sowardss@mctc.edu.