Nine-week professional course prepares students for careers as professional marine surveyors.
Skagit Valley College is launching a new marine surveying program this winter. The program, Marine Surveying: Yachts and Small Craft, is designed to prepare students for careers in the marine industry.
The program includes an intensive nine-week, in-person course that runs Feb. 23-April 24, 2026, at the SVC Marine Technology Center in Anacortes.
The program offers training in vessel inspection, valuation, and reporting, blending technical knowledge with hands-on experience. Students will gain the skills and industry certifications needed to conduct professional condition and valuation surveys for vessels up to 65 feet in length.
“Marine surveying is an essential function in the boating industry, requiring a mix of technical expertise, attention to detail, and professional integrity,” said Mike Reese, the course instructor and a 30-year marine industry veteran. “This course gives students both the knowledge and practical experience to take the next steps in becoming skilled surveyors.”
This full-time course will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes classroom instruction, lab exercises, and both instructor-led and independent vessel surveys.
The program is for individuals with prior experience in the marine industry, such as boat builders, mechanics, engineers, and professional mariners seeking to expand their expertise into a professional surveying role.
Students can expect interactive learning with hands-on training aboard vessels. They’ll cover both the technical and business aspects of marine surveying, including ethics and client relations.
Upon successful completion, graduates will earn an SVC Certificate of Completion along with three American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) certifications in Marine Standards, Marine Systems, and Marine Electrical — qualifying them for the ABYC Master Advisor designation.
Graduates will be prepared to join industry organizations and enter the workforce as independent marine surveyors. The program's tuition is $8,500. Students who pay in full by Dec. 31 will receive a $425 early payment discount.
To learn more, interested students are invited to attend an online information session on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Register for the session here. For more details about the program or to apply, visit the Marine Surveying webpage.
Media Contact Info
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
360.416.7957
marisa.pierce@skagit.edu