b'Classroom on the Water students (left) from Maritime High School spent two weeks learning real skills they would use in future maritime jobs. This years career day (right) saw over 150 local students visit WSFs Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility.with Seattle Maritime Academy and Northwest Maritime,Hunter said. Talking to students, theyre like, We re-WSF has created Classroom on the Water. Through thisally got to actually do this job. So, we know what the program, ten seniors from Maritime High School in near- job is like.by Des Moines, Wash., who have expressed an interest in working for or learning more about the ferry system got toAt the end, a recruiter walked the students through the experience life on the vessels firsthand. For two weeks thisnext steps to get jobs with WSF after high school. They September, the students participated in this mini appren- gained skills that will serve them in the future, as well as ticeship where they got to learn real skills that they wouldanappreciationforthepeopleandjobsthatkeepWSF use in maritime jobs. They spent two days in the wheel- running. This was the second year of the program; the first house aboard the Chimacum with licensed deck officersyear was a trial version. Both were very successful, and the and two days in the engine room with the chief engineersprogram will continue moving forward. working alongside them on different tasks. The students touredtheEagleHarborMaintenanceFacilityandtheAt the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, WSF hosts a ferryCathlamet,whichwasdockedthere.Aclassroomcareer day for high school students as another way to grow PHOTOS: WASHINGTON STATE FERRIESportion included a project one day, and then the studentsan interest in maritime careers among youth. In March, spent a day on the vessels connecting with passengers totheir third annual career day welcomed nearly 150 students learn about the service side of the ferries.fromeightareahighschools.Studentstouredtheferry Chetzemoka and took part in demonstrations with WSF Theyre just passionate about it; its fun to watch. Ourstaff members to discover jobs available aboard ferries, at crew loved it, loved hosting them. It was a fun activity,terminals, and in the trades shop. With attendance grow-13 OCTOBER 2025'