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Internship Merchant Marine Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Internship Merchant Marine information

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$11

$19

$29

How much do internship merchant marine jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship merchant marine in the United States is $19.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship merchant marine?

Internship Merchant Marine positions are training roles designed for students or recent graduates interested in a maritime career. These internships provide hands-on experience aboard ships or at ports, allowing interns to learn about navigation, cargo operations, safety procedures, and ship maintenance under the supervision of experienced professionals. The goal is to give interns practical knowledge and skills that can lead to future employment as a merchant mariner. Internships may vary in duration and specialization depending on the company or educational program. Completing such an internship is often a valuable step toward obtaining required maritime certifications.

What does an internship merchant marine do?

During a Merchant Marine internship, you can expect to assist with a variety of duties such as ship maintenance, navigation watchstanding, cargo operations, and safety drills. Interns often rotate through different departments, including deck, engineering, and sometimes the galley, to gain broad exposure. You'll work closely with experienced officers and crew, learning both practical seamanship and regulatory compliance. The environment is typically fast-paced and requires adaptability, teamwork, and a strong commitment to safety protocols.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship merchant marine?

To thrive as an Internship Merchant Marine, you need foundational maritime knowledge, basic seamanship, and often enrollment in a maritime academy or completion of relevant coursework. Familiarity with navigation systems, shipboard safety protocols, and sometimes STCW certification is typically required. Strong teamwork, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure safety, efficient vessel operations, and successful integration into the shipboard environment.

What is the difference between Internship Merchant Marine vs Deck Cadet?

AspectInternship Merchant MarineDeck Cadet
Required CredentialsBasic maritime training, STCW certificationSTCW certification, maritime academy attendance
Work EnvironmentOnboard ships, training vesselsOnboard ships, training ships
Employer & Industry UsageShipping companies, maritime training programsShipping companies, maritime academies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Internship Merchant Marine and Deck Cadet roles both involve maritime training and onboard experience. The main difference is that internships are often short-term training programs, while deck cadet positions are part of a formal maritime education pathway leading to certification. Both roles prepare individuals for careers in the merchant marine industry, with similar credentials and work environments.

How to become an internship merchant marine with no experience?

To become an internship merchant marine, applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and must pass physical and background checks. Basic safety training and obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) are often required before starting the internship, which provides on-the-job training in maritime operations.

How to get hired as an internship merchant marine?

To get hired as a merchant marine intern, applicants typically need to complete maritime training and obtain relevant certifications such as STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping). Relevant skills include navigation, safety procedures, and vessel operations, and candidates often apply through shipping companies, maritime academies, or government programs that facilitate internships in the maritime industry.

What cities are hiring for Internship Merchant Marine jobs?

Cities with the most Internship Merchant Marine job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Merchant Marine jobs?

The most popular types of Merchant Marine jobs are:

What states have the most Internship Merchant Marine jobs?

States with the most job openings for Internship Merchant Marine jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Internship Merchant Marine jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Merchant Marine jobs are:

Internship Merchant Marine jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Merchant Marine job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 63% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,174 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Maritime Education Assistant Manager

Northwest Maritime

Des Moines, WA

$30 - $33/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Maritime Education Assistant Manager
The Maritime Education Assistant Manager is part of the team of educators who provide audacious hands-on maritime education that ignites curiosity and cultivates belonging for our students. Northwest Maritime (NWM) is an innovative non-profit organization, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration, open communication, exchange of ideas, and teamwork help us connect communities, careers, and the sea through maritime learning. This position leads NWM’s everyday program operations at Maritime High School (MHS) and other activities throughout the greater Seattle area. You will work to ensure the quality and effectiveness of our maritime educational programs, with responsibilities spanning direct instruction, grant support, and industry partnership management.
Bring your experience in the maritime field to project-based learning, teaching, youth mentorship, and maritime workforce pipelines for students ages 5 to 18 in a variety of contexts. It’s an opportunity to engage with the scaling of our programs through our innovative Blue Schools Initiative.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Co-Design and implement our Career Connected Learning progression, which involves industry-engaged programmatic activities such as career exploration conversations, mentorships, workplace-based learning experiences, and internships
  • Deliver hands-on maritime education programs across our vessel operations and marine construction pathways as a lead instructor to students in: Maritime High school, youth development, and workforce development programs, using instructional techniques that accommodate diverse learning styles in safe and inclusive learning environments
  • Collaborate on the implementation and teaching of the vessel operations track at MHS and other Seattle based youth projects
  • Support the Merchant Mariner Credentialing process
  • Develop opportunities for youth to pursue employment and post secondary training opportunities in maritime
  • Track participant progress toward employment and training goals
  • Conduct program evaluations aligned with academic and grant reporting requirements
  • Help report on Seattle program grant funding, as necessary for fulfillment of grant deliverables
  • Contribute to a professional, collaborative, and enjoyable work environment by actively participating in staff training, team meetings, and shared planning
  • Facilitate maritime engagement activities at community outreach events
  • Coordinate with Program staff in Port Townsend for gear, vessel maintenance, and moorage needs
  • Other duties as assigned
GENERAL OPERATIONS
While the primary focus of this position is Seattle maritime programming, the Maritime Education Assistant Manager works as part of the entire NWM team, ensuring smooth operations. As a growing non-profit, we all pitch in for the heavy lifting, whether it's participating in all-hands projects and events or occasionally doing some literal heavy lifting.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience facilitating hands-on educational programs in one or more of the following areas: Vessel/ boat operations, design, or marine construction, engineering, design, and construction, marine sciences and resource management
  • Strong professional skills including organization, time management, and accountability
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills
  • Demonstrated experience building relationships with students, families, and community partners
  • Current CPR amp; First Aid certification or a willingness to enroll in classes upon hiring
  • Valid WA State Driver’s License
Work offers are contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check and drug test. Throughout employment with Northwest Maritime, certain boat-related program employees will be enrolled in a random drug testing program administered by the Maritime Consortium, in compliance with the Coast Guard mandatory drug testing regulation, as contained in 46 CFR part 16.
HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS
  • USCG Merchant Mariner Credential: 25T license and above
  • Experience or certification as a paddling instructor or guide
  • Experience teaching shop safety and woodworking
  • Experience working with English Language Learners. Spanish and/or ASL fluency a plus
  • Experience with Project Based Learning, Performance Assessment and/or Mastery-based Assessment
APPLICATION PROCESS
  • Submit your resume with the online application
  • Deadline for applications: Open until filled, applications reviewed upon submission
WORK LOCATION amp; SCHEDULE
  • Position will require onsite work primarily on the MHS Campus at 615 S 200th St, Des Moines, WA 98198 and in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood
  • Regular shift is 8 am to 4 pm, with occasional adjustments due to programming schedule
  • Occasional weekend work may be required
  • NWM main offices are located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
  • Position is full-time, 40 hours/week
  • Reports to: Maritime Education Manager
WAGE RANGE amp; BENEFITS
  • $30 - $33 per hour, non-exempt
  • 100% company paid Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance + contributions to HSA account
  • Matching contributions to a SIMPLE IRA retirement fund after 1 year of employment
  • Paid time off: accrues 2 weeks of vacation per year, 17 paid holidays in a calendar year, amp; 1 hour of sick time accrued per every 25 hours worked
  • Employee discounts
  • Full details on benefits
NWM is committed to equal employment opportunity. We value the diversity of our staff and the communities that we serve, which includes a spectrum of racial, cultural, religious, sexual and gender identities, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people who have not seen themselves represented in the industry.

Apply