Continuing Education for Recreational Boaters

Learn skills that will allow you to sail the seas with greater ease!

Continuing Education at Seattle Central College offers affordable, non-credit classes. Offered nights and weekends, classes are taught by local experts. They are designed for recreational boaters as well as maritime professionals. The following classes are offered throughout the year, though not all of them are offered each quarter. Learn more.

  • Outboard Motor Maintenance Basics
  • Marine Electric Basics for the Recreational Boater
  • Introduction to Marine Diesel Engines for the Recreational Boater
  • Knots and Brews
  • Essential Knots and Line Handling
  • Intro to Navigation with the Navionics App
  • Salish Sea Weather
  • Marine Radio Basics

New 2025

In January 2025 SMA will be rolling out three new Continuing Education courses aimed at professional mariners, or recreational mariners interested in getting professional endorsements in order to join the maritime workforce or start their own maritime business. Continuing Education courses are open to all – you do not need to be enrolled at Seattle Central College to sign up. The three courses are a lecture about “How to Get Your Merchant Mariner Credential” and two Quarter-long programs of “Able Seaman Test Prep” and “100 Ton Test Prep.” These classes will begin at 6:00 pm and be held at the Seattle Maritime Academy campus in Ballard. Contact SMA if you have any questions about eligibility for these courses.

  • How to Get Your Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Able Seaman Test Prep (Must have 180 days of sea time)
  • 100 Ton Test Prep (Must have 360 days of sea time)

Learn More & Register

Want to stay up to date on new classes or when registration opens?

Sign up for the Continuing Education email list and select the Recreational Boating topic of interest.

Interested in developing a customized professional development training for your organization?

Contact us to learn how we can meet your needs.