A Message from our Executive Director

May closed with the kind of student momentum that reminds us why Chapman continues to serve a vital role in South Florida’s marine community.

We wrapped up the month by celebrating graduates from our Professional Mariner Training and Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification programs. Each graduation represents more than the completion of a course. It marks a student’s next step toward opportunity, confidence, and professional growth in the marine industry.

A Message from our Director of Development

May was a powerful reminder that Chapman’s mission is not limited to one classroom, one dock, or one generation of boaters. This month, we celebrated career-track graduates, welcomed new Marine Survey students, and prepared for a summer that will introduce our youth to safe boating and seamanship.

Program Milestone:
Congratulations to Professional Mariner Training & Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification Class 03-26



Chapman wrapped up May with the graduation of students from our Professional Mariner Training and Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification programs.

These programs represent two important pathways into the marine industry: professional vessel operation and technical service. Students leave with hands-on experience, stronger decision-making skills, and a practical foundation they can carry into the workplace.

The Yamaha graduating class also included three female students, marking another important milestone for the marine industry. Joined by Chapman’s first female Yamaha program graduate, who now works full-time at the school, these graduates are helping pave the way for greater opportunities and representation in the marine service profession. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to future technicians considering a career in the industry.

We are proud of the commitment these graduates showed throughout their training and look forward to seeing the mark they make across South Florida’s marine community and beyond.

Congratulations to our newest Chapman graduates.



Yacht & Small Craft Surveying:

Chapman welcomed nine new Marine Survey students in May as they began a focused training experience designed to strengthen their understanding of vessel condition, systems, documentation, and inspection practices.

Marine surveying requires technical knowledge, professionalism, and careful attention to detail. Students in this program learn to look at vessels with a disciplined eye and to communicate findings clearly and responsibly.

We look forward to following this class as they complete the program this month and continue developing their place in the marine industry.

Recreational Boating:

Summer Training for Safer Days on the Water

With summer boating season underway, recreational boating education remains one of the most important ways Chapman serves the community. Last year, Florida recorded 51 boating-related fatalities and 694 reportable boating accidents. This could be prevented with the right training.

Chapman’s recreational courses help boaters build practical confidence through instruction in safe boat handling, docking, line handling, situational awareness, navigation basics, rules of the road, and emergency response.

Whether someone is new to boating or wants to sharpen existing skills, training before a busy summer on the water can make every outing safer and more enjoyable.

Tech Tips from Yamaha Master Technician, Shane Bowlin

Inspect Your Raw-Water Cooling System

Before longer summer runs, give your engine’s cooling system a careful look. Heat, growth, debris, and worn parts can quickly turn a good boating day into a tow back to the dock.

Quick Maintenance Checklist:

• Water Intake: Make sure intake screens are clear of weeds, shells, and debris.
• Tell-Tale Stream: Confirm steady water flow after start-up.
• Impeller: Replace at the recommended service interval or sooner if flow is weak.
• Hoses and Clamps: Check for cracks, swelling, corrosion, or loose fittings.
• Temperature Alarms: Do not ignore warning lights, buzzers, or reduced power.

A cooling-system issue can damage an engine quickly. When in doubt, have a qualified marine technician inspect the system before heavy summer use.

Stay safe and enjoy your time on the water!

Safe Boating Tip:

File a Float Plan Before You Leave the Dock

A float plan is one of the simplest safety tools a boater can use. Before leaving the dock, make sure someone on shore knows where you are going, who is on board, what boat you are using, and when you expect to return.

Your float plan does not have to be complicated. Share your route, destination, departure time, return time, boat description, registration information, and emergency contact details with a trusted person, not the US Coast Guard.

If your plans change, send an update. If you are delayed, let someone know before they begin to worry. A clear float plan can save valuable time if help is ever needed.

Before departure, also check the weather, fuel level, life jackets, communication equipment, navigation lights, and required safety gear. Active your tracking function on year cell phone. A few minutes of preparation can make a major difference on the water.

The best boating days begin before the boat leaves the dock.

Leave Your Legacy on the Water

For Chapman alumni looking for a meaningful way to give back, Chapman’s Donate-to-Lease Program offers a way to turn vessel ownership into lasting impact. Rather than letting a boat sit idle or become a burden, alumni and supporters can donate a qualifying vessel to Chapman, where it can help support maritime education, workforce development, scholarships, or hands-on training for the next generation of mariners and marine technicians.

This is more than a boat donation. It is a way to strengthen the marine industry, expand Chapman’s “Learn at the Helm” training curriculum, and support boating safety programs for years to come. For graduates who want to leave a lasting legacy to help shape the journey for future students, this program creates a direct and meaningful way to invest in Chapman’s future.

Exclusive New Benefit for Chapman Students & Graduates

Chapman School of Seamanship is proud to announce a new partnership with West Marine, designed specifically to benefit our student and alumni community.

Through this exclusive Chapman Program, eligible students and graduates can now access special discounts on a wide range of West Marine products, including boating safety equipment, marine electronics, maintenance supplies, apparel, dock lines, and other on-the-water essentials.

These savings go beyond standard retail promotions and are even greater than the discounts offered through West Marine’s Pro customer program, giving Chapman graduates a valuable advantage as they continue their boating careers and adventures.

Whether you're outfitting your vessel, replacing worn gear, purchasing tools for the job, or simply stocking up on boating necessities, this is a benefit worth taking full advantage of.

Enrollment is free, quick, and available now through the end of the year.

Don’t leave money on the table. Sign up now and start saving on the gear you need most.

Stay Connected With Chapman!



Chapman School of Seamanship continues to grow because of the students, alumni, families, donors, employers, and community partners who believe in practical maritime education.

Thank you for helping us prepare safer boaters, stronger technicians, more confident youth, and the next generation of marine professionals.