Chapman School of Seamanship News

Instructors Needed- PST, PSSR, Crowd Management, & Crisis Control

2012-03-08T00:00:00-05:00

Maritime Instructors Needed Qualified and approved by NMC to teach PST and PSSR. In addition, we are also currently looking for someone to teach Crowd Control and Crisis Management. This candidate should also have NMC approval. These positions are available in Cocoa Beach. Please email resumes to t.danti@chapman.org or fax to 772-283-2019

Great News!!

2011-06-23T00:00:00-04:00

VA Educational Benefits - Post 9/11 GI Bill DID YOU KNOW! Beginning October 1, 2011 you can use your Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits for vocational training programs offered at the Chapman School of Seamanship. Contact the Registrar for full details.

Chapman Celebrates 40th Year Anniversary

2011-04-08T00:00:00-04:00

Chapman School of Seamanship celebrates 40 years of training skilled boaters By Ed Killer, Treasure Coast Newspapers Posted April 8, 2011 STUART - This week, Marc and Selena Samale took one step closer to realizing a lefelong dream of becoming boat owners. And thanks to the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, the Samales feel they can enjoy their future vessel with a level of confidence not experienced by many first-time buyers. The young couple traveled from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to receive accredited and approved sailboat training from Chapman. The reasons they selected the Stuart-based facility included competitive pricing and flexible schedule. "Plus when we called several schools, the people here were the nicest on the phone," Selena said. According to Chapman president Jennifer Castle Field, it's a recipe for business survival that has led to the school's 40 years of operation. Four decades after graduating its first class of just four students, more than 20,000 professional, recreational and youth boaters are its alumni. "We've lasted through some hard times and the marine industry right now is on hard times," Field said. But the need for training at all levels of boating is more important than ever, she said. What sets Chapman apart from training programs online or that take place solely in a classroom is that boaters actually "Learn at The Helm." The Samales agree. "We were able to spend a ton of our time out on the water," Selena said. "We were able to experience how to handle a small sailboat in various wind and current conditions. We feel much better prepared to get out on the water." That type of training can make a tremendous difference in one's safety and enjoyment while boating. Kathy Padula, Chapman's bookkeeper, wonders why at-the-helm training isn't mandatory for boaters. "It's like driving a car," Padula said. "We can learn online how to drive a car, but does it make sense to let people out onto roads without actually testing them first?" Chapman is well-known throughout the professional maritime community for providing skills training to captains and crewmen at even the highest level. On its eight-acre waterfront campus, the school regularly conducts specialized training for military special forces, international mariners and even crewmen for corporations such as Disney's cruise ships. The school was founded on April 9, 1971, in Fort Lauderdale by Capt. Glen Castle and Charles F. Chapman, author of the well-known Chapman Book of Piloting and Seamanship, now in its 66th edition. Like the book, the schools' training programs continuously are updated with ever-changing developments in electronics, navigation, mechanical operations and maritime law. "U.S. Coast Guard requirements for captains have changed so much that just the paperwork for the physical portion of the license has increased from three pages to nine," said Tom Danti, dean of instruction for the school for 24 years. "More and more is being regulated by the International Maritime Organization, which is complicated and has frequent changes." As for the Samales, their hope is to one day pilot their own small sailboat on waters near their home. As they sailed from the Manatee Pocket and into the St. Lucie River on Wednesday afternoon, their draw to the boating life easily could be seen in their smiles. CHAPMAN SCHOOL OF SEAMANSHIP: 40 YEARS OF TRAINING A THE HELM Founded: April 9, 1971 Founders: Capt. Glen Castle and Charles F. Chapman Former board members: Walter Cronkite, Hugh Downs, Adm. "Chick" Hayward Famous graduates: Gene Hackman, Lauren Hutton Learn At The Helm: Chapman has dozens of power and sailboats that have been donated that are used as "floating classrooms" for on the water, hands on instruction Campus: 8 waterfront acres with dormitory housing for 24 Courses: Offered one course from 1971 through 1984. Now offer 35 courses on all manner of boating-related subjects 40th anniversary Chapman Education Grant: $2,000 grant for anyone who signs up for the 360-hour, 12-week Professional Mariner Training Program that begins June 27. Youth programs: Beginning June 13, there will be three levels of week-long summer training programs available for boaters ages 11-17. Information: Call 772-283-8130 or 800-225-2841, visit http://www.chapman.org/ or stop by 4343 S.E. St. Lucie Blvd., Stuart.

Obituary - Shirley E. Wurz

2010-07-02T00:00:00-04:00

Shirley E. Wurz 1920 - 2010 Shirley Wurz died on June 16, 2010 at the Stuart Nursing and Restorative Care Center in Stuart, FL. Shirley was born in Utica, NY in 1920. From 1943 until her retirement in 1977, Shirley was deeply involved in education as a graduate student, teacher and, in her later years, college administration. She received her Bachelors' degree in English from New York State Teachers College in 1943; Masters from Syracuse University in 1946; and Masters' in College Administration from the University of Colorado. She taught English at the high school level; the college level at Syracuse and State University Agriculture & Technical College at Alfred, NY before moving into college administration as Dean of Women at Alfred. Shirley moved steadily up the ranks culminating as Vice President of Student Affairs at Utica/Rome in the State University of New York system. A strong proponent of women's rights, Shirley Wurz's elevation to VP at Utica/Rome marked the first time a woman had reached that level in the SUNY system. Following retirement from SUNY in 1977, Shirley turned her attention to volunteering in a number of areas close to her heart. Her volunteer activities included Save the River (St. Lawrence) from her summer home on Murray Isle in the 1000 Islands area in upstate NY; at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in her summer home of Stuart, FL; and various organizations associated with Shetland Sheepdogs which she and her sister Jane cared for deeply. In 1982, the Chapman School of Seamanship had need for someone versed in school accreditation to help it qualify for the Federal student loan program. An ad was placed in the local newspaper which was answered by Shirley Wurz who had worked in accreditation as part of one of her many assignments in the SUNY system. Through her dedication and close work with Chapman officials, the School received accreditation in 1983. Shirley continued her association with the Chapman School, mentoring its future President, Jennifer Castle Field and joining its Board of Trustees. Jennifer was Deputy Administrator to her husband Glen Castle. As fate would have it, Glen Castle developed terminal cancer and died in December 1983 and Jennifer was moved up to President of the Chapman School in January 1984. Shirley Wurz maintained an active interest in the School and made many important suggestions relating to its operation as it grew in prominence in maritime education. We shall miss Shirley Wurz very much.

Obituary - PMT Student Geoffrey Robbins II

2010-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

Geoffrey H. Robbins II 1982 – 2010 Geoffrey H. Robbins II, 28, died on January 23, 2010 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident here in Florida. Geoffrey was a graduate of Fishburne Military School in Waynesburg, Virginia. He completed several Chapman School of Seamanship courses, among them American Sailing Association 101 – 106; Professional Mariner Training (4-99); and USCG License/100-ton Master. Geoffrey was in command of a 157-ton motor yacht “GLORY” when he died.

Obituary - Gilbert A. Miller

2010-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

Gilbert A. Miller 1925 – 2010 Gilbert Miller passed away on January 20, 2010 at Treasure Coast Hospice in Stuart. A past Chairman of the Chapman School Board of Trustees and member of that Board from 1978 to 2007, Gilbert did much to help the School gain recognition that today extends around the world. A lifelong educator in Martin County, he went from the classroom at Dunbar Elementary in Hobe Sound to Deputy Superintendant of the Martin County Public School District. Gilbert was a veteran of World War II, landing on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was awarded three Bronze Stars. He was an active member of the Men’s Club at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Stuart and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He received a bachelor of science degree from Bethune Cookman College; elementary education certification from Florida A&M University; a master’s degree from Indiana University; and education specialist’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. Survivors include Gilbert’s wife of 63 years, Dollie Miller of Hobe Sound; a daughter; a son; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Obituary - Pricilla Heirs Buy

2010-01-28T00:00:00-05:00

Priscilla Hiers Buy 1933 – 2009 Priscilla passed away on December 19, 2009 after a long illness. A lifetime “snowbird”, she was a regular speaker at the Chapman School Library & Museum during its annual winter season Tiki Talk series much to the delight of its audiences. Priscilla was a close friend and collaborator with the late Marjorie Pratt in programs at the Library and will be missed by all who knew her. In 1953, Priscilla circumnavigated the globe as a member of the crew aboard Irving and Exy Johnson’s Yankee Brigantine. In later years, she continued to travel widely filming for National Geographic while touring India and Europe. She spent many years lecturing about her experiences in places throughout the Northeastern USA and here in the Stuart, her winter home for many years. Priscilla leaves behind her husband John, many family members and friends around the world.

Paul & Aleta Shirley - Charitable Gifts

2009-09-29T00:00:00-04:00

Paul and Aleta Shirley have been more than generous in their financial support of the Chapman School. Paul Shirley first became acquainted with the Chapman School as a student in its Professional Mariner Training Course in 1999. He completed the course with one of the highest grade averages in the School's history and, in the process, embraced its mission. Paul's financial support of the School began when he prevailed upon his parents, Edward and Triss Shirley, to support the School with major cash donations through the Shirley family foundation. Since the passage of Paul's parents, he and Aleta have continued to bless the School. Their most recent donation of $180,000 is being used to upgrade the School's computer network; the installation of a new campus ecology-friendly lighting system; and student dormitory upgrades such as Wi-Fi capability and other improvements. Needless to say, we are most grateful to the Shirleys.

Walter Cronkite, 1916 - 2009

2009-09-15T00:00:00-04:00

Walter Cronkite was a valued member of the Chapman School of Seamanship Board of Trustees during the period 1977 – 1984. He thoroughly enjoyed sailing, spending many hours aboard his yacht Wyntje on the waters off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Walter visited the Stuart, Florida area while gathering material for his excellent coffee table book, South By Southeast, which he co-authored with Ray Ellis. While here he visited with my late husband Glen Castle and me over lunch at Frances Langford's Outrigger restaurant. We were very impressed by his warm, friendly manner and interest in all things nautical. Notified of Glen's losing battle with cancer in 1983, Walter phoned him at our home in Palm City to offer his encouragement and blessing which pleased Glen very much. Glen died less than two weeks later. The following year, Walter stepped down from his Trustee position to more fully enjoy his retirement from CBS. In honor of his service, my new husband Roger Field and I presented Walter a plaque at his CBS office in New York City accompanied by another Trustee at the time, Hugh Downs. Hugh was also a sailor and close friend of Cronkite. After the plaque presentation Walter treated us to lunch at the Russian Tea Room, a former landmark New York restaurant. On our way there in a CBS limousine, the two famed journalists discussed what the U.S. should do about a Soviet freighter carrying ICBM missiles off the coast of Central America. Walter showed obvious concern but was uncertain as to any action we might take. Hugh simply said: “Don't worry, Walter. The 101st Airborne can take them out in less than an hour!” Although said in jest, it seemed to reflect a difference of view between the respected rival news anchors. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were ushered immediately to a table on the right just inside the dining room which was permanently reserved for Cronkite. Many celebrities passed by the table after we arrived. One was the comic actress Ruth Gordon, who looked at Roger and me and said: “Who are these people, Walter?” As so many people have said in the days since his passing, Walter Cronkite was a highly regarded journalist and will long be remembered by all who knew him. Jennifer Castle Field, President