[B]Port of Houston Authority Partners With U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Harris County and Others to Host Maritime Youth Expo on Saturday, April 9, at Sylvan Beach[/B]
[B]Activities to Include Man Overboard Demos and Real-Time Firefighting[/B]
HOUSTON, April 6, 2011 – Hundreds of area high school maritime students and Sea Scouts are expected at a Maritime Youth Expo on Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., at Sylvan Beach in La Porte. The youth will have the opportunity to view a variety of exhibits – from man overboard demonstrations to U.S. Coast Guard helicopter operations to real-time firefighting. Career path information associated with the maritime industry and military service will also be available.
The event is being hosted by the Port of Houston Authority in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Harris County Pct. 2 Commissioner Jack Morman, Houston Pilots Association, Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, San Jacinto College, Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife, Texas Southern University and the West Gulf Maritime Association.
Among other planned activities are a safety on the beach exhibit, including information on CPR/911; line heaving training; boat/vessel examinations and training; U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hoist rescue and landing; and displays of U.S. Coast Guard RB-S patrol boat and damage control tank. In addition, students may take part in the beer goggle experience, wearing a series of goggles that simulate degrees of intoxication.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; U.S. Coast Guard recruiters and Port of Houston Authority will have booths at the event.
Participants include students enrolled in maritime academies at Jack Yates, Stephen F. Austin and La Porte high schools and in maritime programs in other local Independent School Districts, as well as youth from Sea Scout Ship 1926, Sea Scout Ship 77–S.S.S. Raggety, Sea Scout Ship 17–S.S.S. Gilded Lady, Sea Scout Ship 31–S.S.S. Perla Negra and Sea Scout Ship 306 (Houston Gateway Academy). Lunch will be provided for participants.
The Port of Houston Authority collaborated with Houston ISD on the Port of Houston Maritime Academy, which debuted in fall 2009 at Stephen F. Austin and Jack Yates high schools and now has nearly 400 students enrolled. Maritime programs are also being offered by La Porte ISD, Pasadena ISD, Galena Park ISD and Houston Gateway Academy. At the university level, the Port Authority partners with Texas Southern University on an academic degree program in Maritime Transportation Management and Security.
The maritime industry offers many opportunities for fulfilling and well-paying careers, including such jobs as U.S. Coast Guard officer, U.S. Customs & Border Patrol officer, vessel pilot, engineer, harbor tugboat operator or inland push boat operator.