Spring 2023 featured photo.

Spring 2023 ColPac Maritime School News

For Columbia Pacific (ColPac) Maritime school Spring 2023 is out with the old and in with the new. That is to say, there have been two major changes to our website. Firstly, our new logo recognizes our close partnership with have with Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC). And lastly, the new site makes it faster and easier to find the class and the schedule that you need. But, because we like to keep it personal, you still need to call Patty at 503-841-6066 to register for a class. Finally, the ColPac Maritime School calendar has been updated to include the class schedule for the rest of 2023. Therefore, we are now taking registration for classes thru the end of this calendar year.

Columbia Pacific (ColPac) Maritime
Columbia Pacific (ColPac) Maritime is your captain’s license headquarters.

ColPac Maritime School – We’re here to help!

Getting a USCG issued captain license is not for the faint of heart. That is to say, the application process alone is painful and time consuming. And after that, you can spend months self-studying online for the exams. Finally, testing at the Coast Guard is intimidating at best. But here are two things that can turn months of grueling work into a couple of not so bad weeks.

Firstly, use MM-SEAS professional license application help to streamline your application process. In short, they will turn the daunting task of applying for the license into an easy yellow brick road of step-by-step instructions.

And then take an approved class at Columbia Pacific (ColPac) Maritime school. In short, we will turn months of self-studying online into a much shorter and more enjoyable experience. To explain, there are no exams at the Coast Guard after passing the approved class. And as a bonus, you meet other like-minded mariners.

What Spring means to this old commercial fisherman (memories of Captain Dennis)

F/V Polaris
F/V Polaris. I worked on this boat all through my high school years. 1967 thru 1972.

As an old fisherman I always associate the seasons with a fishery. So, here are my thoughts on spring.

Firstly, in my teenage and younger years, spring was always getting out of school early to fish for King Salmon with my dad. In other words, I didn’t go to school if I needed to work in the family business.

And then in my 20’s spring was always fishing for Pink Shrimp. Likewise, I worked with my dad until I was in my mid 20’s. After that I took over as captain of the F/V Rhoda Alice.

Later, in my 30’s, spring was fishing for rockfish on the newly built F/V Patty A J. And then gearing up for fishing Pacific Whiting.

Spring classes 2023
Captain Dennis (center) teaching knots.
Spring fishing
Steelhead fishing with my son, John (right), and a very good friend, Seth (center).

After fishing, when I was in my 40’s, spring was getting the students ready for their summer intern jobs.

And then in my 50’s, when I semi-retired, spring was sport fishing for Steelhead.

Lastly, now at nearly 70, spring is the first sign of warmer weather for my old bones. Which also means getting the camping gear ready for summer! In conclusion, enjoy the spring 2023 and the coming summer, for fall will be here way to soon.

  • Captain Dennis Degner
  • Instructor ColPac Maritime School at SWOCC

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