Home › United States › California › You are here

Orange Coast College (OCC) - Commercial Seamanship Programs & Boating Courses

Professional Mariner Degree & Certificate Programs, USCG Captains Licensing Courses, Seamanship, Cruising Powerboat & Sailing classes at OCC College and OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship

orange coast college occ

Orange Coast College, located in Costa Mesa just minutes from Southern California’s beautiful beaches, was founded in 1948 with an opening day enrollment of 500 students. In the years since, it has grown into one of the nation’s largest - and finest - community colleges, enrolling more than 25,000 students each semester.

The campus currently consists of 164 acres used for instructional facilities, athletic fields and parking areas. Orange Coast College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Featuring exceptional facilities and the latest in computer and high-tech equipment, OCC offers more than 130 academic and career programs, including one of the nation’s largest and most acclaimed public nautical programs. Nearly half the students on campus are enrolled in one of OCC's career and technical programs.

Orange Coast College offers over 50 Career & Technical Education programs. As never before in its history, America needs people who are trained in artistic, scientific, professional and technical fields. OCC offers a variety of programs combining theory, practical training and experience.

OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship, located at Newport Harbor, provides various recreational courses for professional and novice boaters. The school also provides various career oriented commercial programs for those interested in the boating industry including USCG approved training.

occ sailing school campus

Training Programs

Commercial Seamanship Career Programs

  • AS Degree Program (Professional Mariner) - 60 Credits: The Professional Mariner Program prepares students for careers in the maritime industry in Southern California and around the world in private or commercial vessel operations: Large private yachts, Charter yachts, Cruise ships, Passenger ferries, Sport fishing, Commercial fishing, Whale watching, Dive boats, Supply vessels, Work boats, Tug boats, and Commercial shipping. These vessels must operate with qualified crew so the curriculum for the Orange Coast College Professional Mariner program was developed with guidance from an Advisory Council of maritime industry professionals who ranked skills and knowledge that they require in their deck crew. Upon completion of the program, there are employment opportunities with competitive salary. The program may be completed in two semesters. Courses may be taken individually and may be repeated. Upon completion of the Professional Mariner Level 1 Certificate, the student will have the information, training and practical skills to qualify for work as deckhand on private yachts or commercial vessels, with the capability to advance in a marine industry career. The student will have earned their STCW certificate for US Coast Guard Basic Safety Training.
  • Certificate Program (Professional Mariner) - 19 to 21 Credits: Curriculum includes career path identification and job search preparation in the maritime industry, maritime environment, seamanship, marine safety, boat handling, navigation, and boat maintenance. In addition to lecture, most courses include hands-on practical exercises. Students must be able to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes. Previous boating experience is advantageous but not required. Program Outcomes include - Communicate verbally and in writing in a clear manner and with correct nautical protocol, Identify maritime career paths along with required U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements, Demonstrate safe operation and maintenance of vessels, &  Demonstrate prevention and safety response in First Aid, Personal Survival and Social Responsibility at sea, as well as fire prevention and response.

USCG Approved Courses

Seamanship Classes (OCC Sailing)

  • Cruising Catalina & Santa Barbara Island
  • Cruising the Channel Islands
  • Diesel Mechanic in a Day
  • Fiberglass Repair & Maintenance
  • Marine Electrical Systems
  • Marlinspike
  • Outboard Maintenance & Trouble Shooting
  • Paint & Varnish Your Boat Like a Pro
  • Coastal Navigation 1
  • Coastal Navigation 2
  • Coastal Navigation Certification
  • Celestial Navigation
  • Exploring Electronic Navigation
  • Introduction to Marine Radar
  • Marine Radar for Cruising
  • Marine Radio Operator’s Course
  • Standard First Aid with CPR/AED – Adult
  • Weather for Sailors

OCC Sailing USCG Prep Classes

Sailing & Cruising Courses (OCC Sailing)

  • Beginning Sailing – Lido 1
  • Intermediate Lido – Lido 2
  • Harbor 20 – Level 1
  • Harbor 20 – Level 2
  • Harbor 20 Level 2- Extra
  • Lido Fun Sail
  • Lido Racing Clinic
  • Private Lessons
  • Shields 1
  • Shields 2
  • US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification
  • Private Lessons
  • Marina Park Keelboat Classes
  • Basic Cruising
  • Bareboat Cruising
  • All About Anchoring & Navigation on a Weekend Catalina Cruise
  • Northern Channel Island Cruising
  • California Cruising
  • US Sailing Basic Cruising Certification
  • US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification
  • OCC SA Lido Skipper Certification (2 hour practical)
  • OCC SA Harbor 20 Certification  (2 hour practical)
  • OCC SA Lido 14/Harbor 20 Re-Certification (1-hour review)
  • US SAILING Basic Keelboat Challenge (3 hour practical)
  • US SAILING Basic Cruising Challenge (4 hour practical)

Powerboat Training

  • Safe Powerboat Handling Certification
  • Intro to Twinscrew Powerboats
  • US Powerboating Basic Powerboat & Cruising Certification
  • US Powerboating Inshore Power Cruising Certification and Night Operation Endorsement