“We are thrilled to offer our students another exciting path towards a bright future as well as strengthening our relationship with our component districts,” Director of CTE, Shawn McMahon said. “Within the 10 school districts FEH BOCES supports, the Tri-Lakes area presents distinct geographical features and communities that make a program such as Marine Tech a natural choice to foster at SLHS.”
The program, located at Saranac Lake High School, quickly reached full enrollment with students eager to gain hands-on experience and industry recognized credentials.
Students in the one-year, senior program will earn certifications from both Mercury and Honda and will gain experience working at local marinas. The program’s popularity and strong community support reflect the local need for marine technicians in the Tri-Lakes area, which includes Lake Placid, Long Lake, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake—home to a vibrant boating community and numerous marinas.
By partnering with FEH BOCES, the program is accessible to students from Lake Placid, Long Lake, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake.
Marine Technology Instructor Josh Marlow, an experienced marine mechanic and educator, saw firsthand the great need for marine mechanics in the area and proposed the joint FEH BOCES-Saranac Lake program.
“The course filled up almost immediately with seniors. Our capacity is 15 seniors and we currently have juniors planning to enroll in the program so it looks like we will be full again next year,” Marlow said. “Neighboring schools are also hearing about the CTE program asking how they can get into it.”
Marlow said local businesses and marinas loved the idea as they also recognized the need for marine technicians.
“The reception has been overwhelming,” Marlow said. It’s going to be a home run, and I think everyone knows it.”
The curriculum is hands-on from day one. Students earn their New York State Boater Safety Certification within the first week and dive into practical training using tools ranging from basic wrenches and ratchet sets to diagnostic software for fuel-injected engines. Other topics include 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine operation, outboard engine systems, outboard hull service, trailer lighting service, trailer wheel bearing/tire service, outboard winterization, shrink-wrapping and more.
“I didn’t know anything about engines before starting this program and I am already picking up a lot in just this past month,” student Mikkel Denkenberger said. “Going into real marinas, working there and seeing how it works outside the school program has been a highlight for me.”
According to Marlow, the expected outcome for students enrolled in the program is that graduates will have the knowledge and skills to be able to run their own business whether it is a marine business as a mechanic or in a different role. Marine Tech students earn a college credit for business through North Country Community College.
“A big aspect of the Marine Tech program is that students would conduct mock billings for all the work they do for me in class,” Marlow said. “They would keep track of the taxes, profit margins, sales tax, income tax, all of those aspects of ‘how would you build this job out.’ Additionally, they would invoice work completed and learn about liability insurance.”