From Classroom to Shipyard: USMMA Midshipmen Gain Hands-On Experience at Detyens

By VOICES Staff. 

At Detyens Shipyards in North Charleston, South Carolina, the future of America’s maritime industry is being built one midshipman at a time. Through a unique partnership with the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Detyens Shipyards hosts up to 20 midshipmen each year as part of the academy’s Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management (MESM) program. 

This collaboration is not just about ship repair and construction; it’s about securing the strength and sustainability of America’s maritime workforce.

“Hands-on experience at our repair yard is essential for acclimating interns to the fast-paced, demanding nature of commercial ship repair,” said Bradley J. Kerr, Director of Sales & Marketing at Detyens Shipyards. “We believe there’s no better way to prepare them than through direct training in our facilities. Over the years, we’ve cultivated a comprehensive program that offers a well-rounded learning experience throughout their 6-week internship.” 

The MESM program prepares midshipmen for a wide range of professional roles within the maritime sector. From serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine to leading efforts in ship systems design and marine equipment research, these students are equipped with the technical and managerial skills essential for success in the industry. 

Their time at Detyens Shipyards provides them with experience that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world application.

“The hands-on experience at Detyens has challenged me to think critically and assess the implications of safety, financial, and industrial decisions, rather than merely performing manual tasks,” said Haley Agin, a Junior at the academy. “Being exposed to different roles within the maritime industry has been eye-opening and has given me a new level of appreciation for these positions.”

With increasing global competition and growing national security concerns, America’s shipyard industrial base is more critical than ever. The partnership between Detyens and USMMA is a prime example of how industry and schools can work together to ensure that the next generation of maritime professionals is ready to meet these challenges head-on.

“The U.S. maritime industry must continually attract licensed mariners and a skilled workforce to sustain operations. Since Jones Act vessels require U.S. mariners to operate them, there is a critical need for a steady influx of qualified American professionals. Upon completing their commitment, USMMA midshipmen often transition to roles at new-build shipyards, ship repair yards, service contractors, or OEMs. Investing in the development of our young mariners is crucial for national security and the future of our maritime industry,” said Kerr.

The shipyard doesn’t just offer an internship; it provides a launching pad for future maritime leaders. 

“Even going to college I wanted to achieve a career in STEM and foresaw a career involved with engineering to be the best for a future career. Detyens Shipyards aligns with my career goals as it allows me to see how the shipyard business works from a management standpoint as potentially in the future, being a shipyard superintendent could be a career that I foresee,” said Sungwoo Bae, a marine engineering student interning this Summer.

By giving students direct exposure to ship repair, construction, and management, the program ensures that graduates are not only well-versed in the technical aspects of the job but also understand the broader implications of their work on the industry and national security.

Smaller shipyards like Detyens are leading the way in this industry, partly spurred by the U.S. Maritime Administration to invest in their facilities with programs like the Small Shipyard Grant Program. 

“The program has intensified competition among medium to large shipyards nationwide. Enhancing repair and new-build capacity in the shipyard industry will strengthen our commitment to maintaining a robust maritime sector,” said Kerr. These shipyards can have a massive positive effect on local communities. Making partnerships like these is essential not only to ensuring America has a shipyard industrial base it can rely on but also to creating billions of dollars in economic impact. 

In South Carolina alone, the Jones Act supports 5,800 jobs and $1.2 billion annually to the Palmetto State’s economy, including $306 million in worker income.

“To support this, we must continue to attract young people to the maritime industry from the early stages of their educational development,” said Kerr.