San Jacinto Maritime Academy
Technology and Training Center
Salas O’Brien provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for San Jacinto College’s state-of-the-art Maritime Academy Technology and Training Center.
Our client
San Jacinto College has served the greater Houston area since 1961, and it was recently named one of the top five community colleges in the nation. Aligned with the local maritime industry—one of the strongest in the Gulf Coast region—its maritime program recently saw rapid growth due to a shortage of qualified workers in the industry. The new Maritime Technology and Training Center was a direct response to industry demand, and it reflects a true partnership between the college and Gulf Coast businesses looking for a local site to train skilled technicians. The center includes a training dock with lifeboats, davits, and fast rescue craft, as well as a separate industry dock for crew changes.
Project highlights
Their challenge
The leadership of this venture needed a trustworthy engineering partner to design systems that would support the main, 45,000-square-foot structure. This building comprises 15 classrooms and space for engineering simulators—interactive units that teach students how to handle hydraulic, electric, pump control, motor control, heating and air conditioning, and refrigeration tasks.
Our solution
Drawing on our broad experience with higher education technical facilities, our engineering team provided the project with cutting-edge mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering.
The results
The center was awarded the Landmark Award (Educational Facility category) by the Houston Business Journal. It is a superb synthesis of educational and commercial interests, and will serve its students and the maritime community for many years to come.


