31 attend Monroe Boat Club Association’s Maritime Career Day

The Monroe News
·2 min read

The Monroe Boat Club Association’s sixth annual Maritime Career Day involved 31 area high school seniors, several volunteers, a field trip and a 1921 steam engine.

The day also was sponsored by the Monroe High School Career Pathways Center.

Mentor and Merchant Marine officer Greg Braunlich speaks with students during lunch at Maritime Career Day.
Mentor and Merchant Marine officer Greg Braunlich speaks with students during lunch at Maritime Career Day.

Students enrolled in trades and technical education courses got to learn about maritime-related careers that currently need workers, including ship and boat captains, marina operators, service technicians and mechanics for small and large boat engines.

“The importance of early career exposure cannot be overstated for the Monroe area,” program coordinator Charlotte Neuhauser said. “This is a non-traditional career exploration method designed to introduce area students to local job opportunities, which has produced documented success with a number of students in past years receiving jobs through this program.”

Taking part in this year's Maritime Career Day were Solomon’s Diving, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division (dive team), the Merchant Marines, Trout’s Service and Safe Harbor Toledo Beach Marina. Representatives shared career information with the students.

At lunchtime, Monroe Boat Club members/mentors from the DTE Volunteer program spoke with students. The mentors were Greg Braunlich, Nick Burson and Ken Nazradi.

Students watched a 1921 steam engine fire up at Trout’s Yacht Services during the recent Maritime Career Day.
Students watched a 1921 steam engine fire up at Trout’s Yacht Services during the recent Maritime Career Day.

“Sincere thanks go to Dan Thomas and Merchant Marine officer Braunlich for their presentations and mentoring,” Neuhauser said. “The students also experienced a working 1921 steam engine firing up and compared it with a highly efficient 4-stroke engine at Trout’s Yacht Services.”

Students and three teachers also traveled to Toledo Beach Marina for short presentations by the general manager and Chuck Hutchins. Students also got to tour the facilities.

Matt Stein operated engine testing equipment at the event.
Matt Stein operated engine testing equipment at the event.

The Maritime Career Day has been offered since 2017. Every year the Port of Monroe and the U.S. Coast Guard have also been included in the program, but neither could participate this year.

“This year within 24 hours of the event, both the Port and the Coast Guard had to pull out for various reasons. Our thanks to everyone who was involved for their flexibility and short notice of schedule changes. Even with the real-time adjustments, challenges were overcome, and the teachers assured us it was a great experience for the students as they were highly interested and engaged all day,” Neuhauser said.

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Neuhauser has coordinated the program since it began. Helping are board members John Kauffman, who organizes the DTE mentors, and Don Blouin and Maureen Kauffman, who help with food.

The event was partially funded by the DTE Volunteer Program.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: 31 attend Monroe Boat Club Association’s Maritime Career Day