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A Message from the Executive Director
The year is off to a strong start at Chapman. In January alone, we welcomed more than 50 students into our workforce development programs, a clear signal of the growing demand for hands-on maritime training and career pathways across the marine industry.
Behind the scenes, we continue to make significant investments in our campus and waterfront. Construction is well underway on over 500 feet of new seawall and approximately 800 feet of floating docks, improvements that will strengthen our infrastructure, expand on-water training capacity, and ensure our facilities serve students safely and effectively for decades to come.
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We are also proud to share an exciting new partnership with Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation. Together, we are launching the Perry J. Cohen Boating Safety & Ocean Stewardship Course, a free, two-day educational program for teens and young adults.
As we move through 2026, our focus remains clear: expanding access to high-quality training, investing in facilities that support real-world learning, and building partnerships that advance boating safety and environmental stewardship.
Thank you for being part of the Chapman community. Your support allows us to train the next generation of mariners, strengthen our campus, and make a lasting impact on the water.
Warm Regards,
Jim Allen
Executive Director
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A Message From The Director of Development
As we begin a new year, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported Chapman School of Seamanship in 2025. Your generosity made a direct impact—helping students gain real-world skills, supporting workforce training programs, and advancing our shared commitment to safer waterways.
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January is a time for fresh starts, and 2026 is already shaping up to be a year of growth and opportunity at Chapman. From expanded workforce programs and new technical courses to partnerships focused on boating safety and environmental stewardship, your support continues to fuel meaningful outcomes for students, veterans, and young people entering the maritime industry.
As we look ahead, I invite you to stay engaged and consider how you can be part of Chapman’s impact in the year to come—whether through scholarship support, monthly giving through the Chapman Burgee Society, or participation in our upcoming events. Every contribution, at every level, helps ensure access to high-quality training and keeps our mission moving forward.
With gratitude,
Renee Booth
Director of Development
📧 r.booth@chapman.org | 📞 772-210-4711
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Partnership Spotlight:
Loggerhead Marinelife Center & the Perry J. Cohen Foundation
Chapman is proud to partner with Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation to launch the Perry J. Cohen Boating Safety & Ocean Stewardship Course, a new educational initiative designed for teens and young adults.
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This free, two-day course blends boating fundamentals, maritime law, safety equipment, navigation, and on-water training at Chapman with conservation education led by Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Participants will learn how to operate vessels safely while gaining a deeper understanding of marine life, including how to avoid harmful interactions with wildlife and how to respond to on-water emergencies involving injured animals.
Upon completion, students will meet the requirements to obtain a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, required to operate most powerboats in the state. The inaugural course is scheduled for March 2026, with additional sessions planned throughout the year.
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From Professional Mariner Students to Business Owners
How Army Veterans Josh & Shelly Ronunardt Built a Cruisin Tikis Franchise
When Josh and Shelly Ronunardt, both U.S. Army veterans, enrolled in Chapman’s Professional Mariner Training (PMT) Class 08-21, they were preparing for more than a credential—they were building a second career grounded in professionalism, discipline, and service.
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Josh’s first captain position came as an on-the-water trainer with Carefree Boat Club. Soon after, Josh and Shelly stepped into leadership roles, managing the boat club together. Shelly focused on sales, marketing, payroll, and customer relations, while Josh handled operations, maintenance, personnel hiring, and crew training. They continue to assist Carefree Boat Club today.
Josh also worked part-time with Sea Tow from June 2022 through November 2024, gaining valuable experience in towing and salvage operations—work that demands calm decision-making, mechanical awareness, and sound judgment.
Throughout their journey, the Ronunardts consistently credit Chapman for instilling professionalism, attention to detail, and confidence—qualities that opened doors and created opportunities across the marine industry.
Today, they are the proud owners of Cruisin' Tikis Treasure Coast, operating a successful on-the-water business built on safety and exceptional customer experience.
Visit their website here.
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Benefits For Chapman Graduates:
West Marine
We’re excited to share that we have officially partnered with West Marine to support our student & alumni community!
From now through the end of the year, Chapman graduates are eligible for exclusive discounts on West Marine products, from safety gear and electronics, to dockside essentials and apparel.
This partnership is our way of giving back to those who continue their journey on the water. We appreciate your dedication to seamanship, and we’re proud to help you stay equipped for every adventure ahead.
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Program Highlight:
NMEA Basic Installer & NMEA 2000 ® Installer Courses
March 16 - 19, 2026
Chapman will host the NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer and NMEA 2000® Installer courses on March 16–19, 2026, delivering hands-on, industry-recognized training for technicians, surveyors, captains, and mariners working with today’s increasingly complex marine electronics.
The NMEA Basic Installer course focuses on core marine electrical fundamentals, including wiring best practices, proper terminations, grounding and bonding, circuit protection, and troubleshooting common installation issues. Students gain a solid foundation in how modern marine electronic systems are safely and reliably installed aboard vessels.
Building on that foundation, the NMEA 2000® Installer course dives into networked systems, covering NMEA 2000® architecture, cabling standards, connectors, power requirements, backbone and drop layouts, and fault diagnosis. Participants work hands-on with real equipment to understand how integrated electronics communicate and how to identify and resolve network problems.
Together, these courses provide practical, job-ready skills aligned with current industry standards and manufacturer expectations. Whether you are entering the marine service field, expanding your technical capabilities, or seeking to strengthen your professional credentials, NMEA certification remains a valuable asset across the marine industry.
Space is limited. Early registration is recommended.
Learn more and sign up here.
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Program Highlight:
ABYC Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology
April 6 - 24, 2026
We are excited to introduce a new, hands-on course designed to build real-world marine skills from the ground up.
From April 6 through April 24, 2026, Chapman will offer ABYC Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology, a three-week, in-person program created to provide a strong foundation in marine systems and boat operations. This immersive course follows ABYC’s nationally recognized standards and is taught by industry-respected instructors with extensive real-world experience.
Participants will gain practical, hands-on training in essential areas including:
• Shop safety and best practices
• Marine electrical fundamentals
• Engines and propulsion systems
• Plumbing and onboard systems
• Core boat systems and service procedures
In addition to technical training, students will complete the Florida Safe Boating Course, earning the Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, and will receive instruction through National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Modules 1–4, reinforcing critical safety principles and on-water decision-making.
This course is ideal for individuals starting a career in the marine trades, as well as boat owners who want to build real confidence and technical know-how when working on their own vessels.
Spots are limited. Join us this spring and start building your future on the water.
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New Online Course
Rules of the Road
Practice. Prepare. Pass.
Chapman is proud to offer a new online Rules of the Road course designed to help mariners build confidence and pass their exams.
For just $30, students gain access to structured lessons covering navigation rules, right-of-way, lights, shapes, sound signals, and collision avoidance—plus built-in practice exams that mirror the format and challenge of real license testing. These practice exams allow students to test their knowledge, identify weak areas, and improve performance before exam day.
This course is ideal for:
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Mariners preparing for USCG license exams
- Students currently enrolled in Chapman programs
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Boat operators looking to refresh critical navigation rules
- Anyone who wants to sharpen decision-making and avoid costly on-water mistakes
The course is self-paced, available online, and can be accessed anytime—making it easy to study on your schedule. Whether you’re preparing for your first exam or brushing up on rules you haven’t reviewed in years, this course provides practical repetition and exam-ready preparation.
Know the rules. Practice with confidence. Be ready when it counts.
Purchase The Course Here
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Tech Tips from Yamaha Master Technician Shane Bowlin
Cold-Weather Care for Yamaha Outboards
Cooler weather is a welcome change, but it can expose weak points in outboard systems—especially if your Yamaha hasn’t been run regularly. One of the most common cold-weather issues I see is hard starting, often caused by weak batteries, thicker oil, or fuel that has absorbed moisture. Yamaha engines rely on strong voltage for proper injector and ignition performance, and cold temperatures reduce available cranking power. Before heading out, make sure your battery is fully charged and that all electrical connections are clean and tight.
Cold weather also increases the risk of condensation forming inside fuel tanks, which can introduce water into the fuel system. I recommend keeping tanks topped off, using a quality marine fuel stabilizer, and checking or replacing your water-separating fuel filter more frequently during winter months. After running, allow the engine to warm up fully and trim it down to ensure all cooling water drains from the engine. A few extra minutes of cold-weather care will keep your Yamaha outboard reliable all season long.
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Safe Boating Tip:
Your Wake Matters - Especially in Cold Weather
In Florida, you are always responsible for the wake your vessel creates, not just your speed. Even outside posted idle or no-wake zones, state law requires operators to travel at a reasonable and prudent speed based on conditions. If your wake damages docks or vessels, causes another boat to lose control, endangers swimmers or paddlers, or impacts wildlife, you can be cited—even if no signs are posted.
Wake violations are typically non-criminal boating infractions, with civil fines commonly ranging from $50 to $250, plus court costs. Violations in posted no-wake or manatee protection zones often carry higher penalties, and serious or repeat offenses can escalate to reckless operation charges.
As colder weather arrives, manatees move into shallow, warmer waters near shorelines, canals, and power plant outflows—areas that often overlap with heavy boat traffic. Slowing down reduces wake damage and gives operators more time to spot manatees and other hazards. The rule of thumb is simple: if your wake is causing a problem, you’re going too fast. Slow early, stay alert, and help protect people, property, and Florida’s wildlife.
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