Program aims to help Delawareans get jobs in the maritime industry

Rosemary Carroll wanted to attend a maritime college, but she was not allowed.

At that time, there were restrictions on allowing women into such academies.

Many in Carroll's family have been involved in the maritime industry in one way or another. Her father attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy as part of its first class, and her children are all involved in the industry.

Carroll, a photographer, works with organizations such as the Maritime Exchange and the Seaman Center, and she knew she wanted to give back to Delaware.

"That's my passion," she said. "I just really love helping people that are in our state get ahead."

So Carroll and her husband Bill, who have lived in Bethany Beach for 25 years, took her passion for the industry in Delaware and formed the Delaware Maritime Education Task Force.

The purpose of the task force is to provide online training opportunities for Delawareans interested in joining the maritime industry and help students obtain their merchant mariner credential, allowing them to work on commercial vessels.

The maritime industry consists of jobs either working on boats or in ports. As part of the industry, people help load and offload containers from large ships, help navigate ships and, eventually, captain ships.

The training will take between 180 and 200 hours and allows students to take the test on their own time.

BACKGROUND: Program would turn students into able-bodied seamen

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After students are finished with the training, they will be involved in hands-on training when the students are able to practice skills such as firefighting and lifesaving.

"The cool part about this industry is, I can get them a job in Seattle, Washington," she said. "Say they have a three or four week on board. ... Then what happens? They get three or four weeks off. And the company flies them home, so they are still Delaware residents."

The Carrolls got inspiration for the organization from their son's friend who wanted to join the industry but did not have the proper training. This program gives participants the keys to progressing through the maritime industry, eventually making their way to a job that can pay six figures.

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So far, the task force has four people prepared to take classes. Many more have inquired about the program, and the Carrolls hope to add 15 more.

"So those guys still make good money when they start out; in the meantime they have to progress up the ladder, they have to get training, and what we discovered was in order for them to get that training they had to go out of state," Bill Carroll said. "There are maritime training centers all over the country, there are none here."

Delaware is a maritime state, said Jack Hearn, a member of the board of directors of the American Professional Mariners Association, a union representing workers.

A Lewes native, Hearn said the Carrolls are bringing good jobs to Delaware.

With an industry that is expected to expand greatly due to growing international shipping needs, Hearn said he will do what he can to help the Carrolls achieve their mission in Delaware. 

"I like what she is doing with this because some of this is to help underprivileged people," he said. "And her mission is widening. She will be busy with it in the future."

The maritime industry is small as far as the number of workers in it, he said, but the industry itself is quite large, making jobs in the future important.

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There is no easy path, however, Rosemary Carroll said.

The training, including studying videos and taking the corresponding tests, is hard work because of the amount of preparation required, she said, and participants need to be willing to put in the time in order to succeed.

But the potential career opportunities that come from it are worth it, she added.

"You have to have your wits about you, but it's a great industry," she said. "It really is. You can go anywhere."

The whole process takes a couple of months, making the length of the training perfect as students await to hear back about their merchant mariner credential.

And once they get that, they can get the maritime job for which they have been preparing.

"It's a really good plan," Hearn said. "Anything that helps people with workforce development and career opportunity is good. It’s a missed opportunity for Delaware if they don’t do this to help our residents and citizens get involved, including in my position, knowing we will need managers and leaders."

On Twitter @hughesg19