In August 2024, the Center for Maritime Education welcomed the Sabine Pilots Organization, Pilot Boat Operators, from Port Arthur, Texas. At CME, they engaged in an Advanced Radar course designed to update their radar proficiency through simulator exercises and classroom instruction. The course covered critical areas such as radar interpretation, collision avoidance, speed and course detection, plotting, and understanding true and relative vectors, all to enhance safety on the water. CME also customized the training to reflect the Sabine-Neches Waterway’s unique maritime environment—including factors like current direction, speed, and bathymetry—and situational awareness needed for the location.

In an email to the Center for Maritime Education Director, Capt. Stephen Polk, Sabine Pilots Boat Supervisor, Capt. Michael Haight wrote, “I heard lots of positive feedback from our pilot boat captains and witnessed them putting some of the subject matter to work the other day. I greatly appreciate you all putting the course together for us and running our guys through it.”

Capt. Haight’s note highlights an essential aspect of CME’s mission. While we take pride in training mariners, it’s even more fulfilling when we hear their new skills are being put to work on the water. For CME, safer operations mean safer mariners.