Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO) is expanding its maritime program with the addition of a 39-foot training vessel. The new vessel, T.V. Margie, will provide students with enhanced hands-on learning experiences and serve as a key resource for maritime operations training, reinforcing LSCO’s commitment to workforce development in the growing maritime industry.
Funded through the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling Through Education Grant, the T.V. Margie includes a barge for on-the-water training, allowing students to develop essential skills in safe maritime operations. The vessel is named in honor of President Thomas Johnson’s mother, reflecting LSCO’s dedication to both educational excellence and community heritage.
LSCO’s maritime program offers U.S. Coast Guard and Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping-approved courses, catering to individuals entering the industry as well as those seeking recertification. As maritime job demand rises—with the Texas Workforce Commission projecting a 14% increase statewide and similar national growth, according to the Department of Labor—LSCO’s program ensures students are well-prepared for careers in the field.
The college’s maritime training facility features Transas Simulators, allowing mariners to practice vessel operations across Texas, Louisiana, and beyond. Positioned between Houston and New Orleans, LSCO provides a cost-effective alternative to other maritime training centers while maintaining high-quality education and industry-aligned certifications.
For more information about LSCO’s maritime program, visit www.lsco.edu.
