Clatsop Community College’s effort to bring advanced maritime simulation training to Oregon is gaining momentum with major support from Saltchuk, one of North America’s leading families of transportation and maritime companies.
Saltchuk and its family of companies are stepping forward as foundational industry partners in CCC’s capital campaign to establish a state-of-the-art maritime simulator at the College’s Marine and Environmental Research and Training Station (MERTS) campus in Astoria. Support connected to the Saltchuk family of companies includes $150,000 from the Western Giving Fund through Saltchuk Resources and $100,000 through OSG/Alaska Tanker Company.
Now, Saltchuk is building on that commitment with a $50,000 matching challenge designed to inspire another major donor to join the effort. Under the challenge, if a corporation, organization or individual steps forward with a $50,000 contribution to the Maritime Simulator campaign, Saltchuk will match that gift with an additional $50,000.
For CCC, Saltchuk’s involvement represents more than financial support. It brings the backing of a company with deep roots and significant influence in the maritime industry and strengthens the College’s connections to the employers that depend on a highly trained maritime workforce.
Beth Van Elswyk, CCC’s Executive Director of Workforce Innovation and Partnerships,stated, “Clatsop Community College is Oregon’s designated Maritime College and a MARAD Center of Excellence, and that designation carries a responsibility to train the mariners the industry depends on. The Maritime Simulator is how we meet it. It lets students build seamanship and command skills safely, before they sail, and it lets experienced mariners train for real world situations safely. Saltchuk Resources and Alaska Tanker recognized that alignment early. Their joint gift of $250,000, with Saltchuk Resources contributing $150,000 and Alaska Tanker contributing $100,000, makes the simulator real. We are proud to recognize both companies as Foundational Partners in Maritime Education. Saltchuk Resources offering a 50K match challenge is an invitation to support a vital tool for our Oregon’s Maritime College.”
Saltchuk’s support also reflects the company’s broader commitment to education and the communities where its companies operate. Saltchuk and its family of companies regularly invest in youth development, post-secondary education and maritime organizations, viewing education and workforce development as important investments in the next generation.
Saltchuk is a privately owned family of freight transportation, marine service and energy distribution companies headquartered in Seattle. Its family includes more than 30 transportation-related businesses, including some of the most recognized names in the maritime industry, such as Foss Maritime, OSG, Alaska Tanker Company and TOTE. Saltchuk companies operate across the United States and beyond, providing marine services, shipping, logistics and other essential transportation services.
That industry connection makes Saltchuk an important partner as CCC works to expand maritime education and workforce training in the Pacific Northwest. The proposed maritime simulator will create an immersive training environment where students and professional mariners can practice vessel navigation and decision-making using realistic vessel controls, electronic navigation systems and simulated waterways, ports, weather and operating conditions.
Chief Operating Officer Chris Merten of Alaska Tanker Company stated, “We rely on our crews to deliver our cargo safely and reliably, voyage after voyage, and the safest time to learn a Columbia River bar crossing or an emergency maneuver is before it is faced at sea. Clatsop’s new full-mission simulation center will give mariners the opportunity to practice critical moments and prepare the next generation with the hands-on training our industry depends on. Overseas Shipholding Group and Alaska Tanker Company are proud to join fellow Saltchuk companies in helping make that opportunity possible for students in Astoria and across the Pacific Northwest.”
Rather than learning critical skills for the first time aboard an operating vessel, mariners can use simulation to experience challenging scenarios in a controlled environment where mistakes become learning opportunities. Training could include vessel maneuvering, navigation, bridge resource management, electronic navigation systems, restricted visibility, heavy weather, congested waterways, emergency situations and other scenarios that are difficult or costly to recreate safely on the water.
The simulator will expand opportunities not only for CCC students entering the maritime workforce, but also for working mariners, maritime employers and companies throughout the Pacific Northwest seeking advanced training, professional development and customized scenarios for their crews.
As Oregon’s only college offering comprehensive maritime education and training, CCC is uniquely positioned to make this technology a regional resource. Located at one of the most dynamic maritime environments on the West Coast, the MERTS campus already provides hands-on training for students and professional mariners. The simulator would add another level of advanced instruction while allowing the College to respond directly to the workforce and safety needs of the maritime industry.
Having Saltchuk stand behind CCC’s simulator project also helps open doors to relationships throughout its family of companies and sends a strong message to the broader maritime industry that the project is worthy of investment.
For CCC, the goal is to build a simulator that serves far beyond the College’s current students. It is an opportunity to create a Pacific Northwest training asset that strengthens the pipeline of new mariners, helps experienced professionals sharpen their skills and gives maritime companies access to sophisticated training closer to home.
The opportunity to make that vision a reality extends beyond Saltchuk’s investment. The State of Oregon has approved up to $8 million in capital matching funds for the Maritime Simulator project, but accessing those dollars depends on CCC raising the required matching funds. That means private, corporate and philanthropic support has the potential to leverage millions of dollars already committed by the state and significantly accelerate the project.
CCC President Jarrod Hogue said the state match creates an extraordinary opportunity for the College, the maritime industry and the region. “The state has given us an incredible opportunity, but now it is up to us to make sure we take full advantage of it,” Hogue said. “There is up to $8 million available to help make this project a reality, but we have to raise the matching funds to access it. We would hate to leave any of those dollars on the table when we know what this simulator could mean for our students, our maritime industry and the Pacific Northwest. We need our industry partners, businesses, foundations and community members to help us turn this opportunity into a reality.”
Saltchuk’s challenge provides an immediate opportunity to help build that momentum. The College is now looking for the donor who will answer the challenge. A $50,000 gift from one individual, business or organization will immediately become $100,000 for the Maritime Simulator campaign through Saltchuk’s matching commitment.
The need still extends beyond this single challenge. CCC is seeking contributions at all levels to help unlock the state’s capital matching funds and move the Maritime Simulator project forward. Every investment brings the College closer to accessing those state dollars and creating a regional training resource that will serve students, professional mariners and maritime employers for years to come.
Those interested in supporting the Maritime Simulator campaign or learning more about the $50,000 Saltchuk matching opportunity can contact Executive Director of Workforce Innovation and Partnerships Beth Van Elswyk at bvanelswyk@clatsopcc.edu.
