Scholarship at Texas A & M

Rigorous training, thorough expertise and a deep affection for the challenge of safely and efficiently controlling ships on the Mississippi River creates a successful Crescent River Port Pilot.

At the Texas A&M University at Galveston Maritime Program, cadets are trained and prepared to address the challenges of these ocean-going vessels. The Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association is helping under-represented populations attend the university and providing the opportunity to enter the piloting program.

The Board of Directors of the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association voted to fund up to three scholarships at $16,000 per year for four years to the university.

“We’re very excited to receive these impressive scholarships. We’ve been working with the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association for several years, and we are so excited to be a part of their philanthropic efforts,” Radm. Richard Lukens of Texas A&M University at Galveston said.

The Texas Maritime Academy is one of six seacoast maritime academies in the U.S. that prepares students for licensing as an officer in the American Merchant Marine. Students attending the university and wishing to become river pilots can choose to major in marine transportation, marine biology or marine science.

Along with four years of coursework and field training, students take a ten-week cruise on the academy’s training ship, Texas Clipper II, each summer to gain practical experience in seamanship, navigation and engineering operations.

At the conclusion of the program, graduates will be examined by the U.S. Coast Guard to become licensed as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine and will pursue a U.S. Coast Guard Third Mate Unlimited Tonnage license for navigating ocean-going vessels.
Texas A&M University at Galveston Vice-President and CEO Dr. Mike Kemp was greatly thankful for the donation from the association.

“We’ve trained many of the River, Tug and Port Pilots working in our nation. We are most excited and appreciative of the partnership and the incredible support we’re receiving from the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association,” Kemp said.

After graduation from a maritime college, candidates to be Crescent River Pilots must spend at least 18 months working on the Mississippi River to earn a First Class Pilot’s license and a Limited Master’s license from the Coast Guard. Those without a degree from a maritime college must work on the Mississippi for at least six years to obtain these licenses.

Once these requirements have been completed, then applicants are eligible to train in an apprenticeship of 12 to 18 months with licensed Crescent River Port Pilots. An apprentice must make no fewer than 18 trips per month on the Mississippi between Pilottown and New Orleans. Once the program is finished, apprentices must pass an examination, be certified by the Board of Commissioners and appointed by the governor to become a Crescent River Pilot. They would then serve a year of limited pilotage before being certified to pilot larger vessels.

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