(Milwaukee, WI) — Captain Beth Caylor Fernandez, President, International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA) – Milwaukee Lodge 6, announced today that the ISMA and We Work the Waterways, along with Beulah Brinton Community Center and the University of Wisconsin School of Freshwater Sciences, will host Maritime Interaction Day for area high school students on Thurs., May 21, 2026 from 9 a.m. – Noon.
The event, organized by We Work the Waterways, a 501(c)(3) organization, aims to introduce students to maritime career opportunities.
“National Maritime Day is Friday, May 22, so in advance of that national recognition we organized this Maritime Interaction Day to help introduce students to the maritime industry,” said Capt. Fernandez. “Over two-hundred high school sophomores from throughout the area will get direct exposure to the maritime industry through hands-on activities and interaction with working professionals.”
Busloads of students will rotate between two Milwaukee locations — Beulah Brinton Community Center, 2555 S. Bay St., and University of Wisconsin School of Freshwater Sciences 600 E. Greenfield Ave.
”At Beulah Brinton Community Center students will experience hands-on activities such as radio communications, line throwing, simulated welding, and more, while at the University of Wisconsin School of Freshwater Sciences there will be presentations and discussions with active maritime professionals about their careers and industry opportunities,” said Errin Howard, Executive Director, We Work the Waterways.
Capt. Fernandez says at least six ISMA Milwaukee Lodge 6 members are volunteering to assist with the event.
For more information on the ISMA visit: www.shipmaster.org. For more information on We Work the Waterways and the Maritime Interaction Day visit: www.weworkthewaterways.com.
