Open Waters Louisiana

Open Waters Louisiana Open Waters is a statewide initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in Louisiana's maritime industry.

09/21/2026

Partnerships open doors.

Adonis first learned about OpenWaters Louisiana through our partnership with NORD, where he works as a lifeguard. That connection helped introduce him to an industry he did not know much about before the internship — and the experience changed how he sees his future.

Through OpenWaters, Adonis visited maritime companies, met industry professionals, and saw firsthand how many different jobs are connected to Louisiana’s working waterfront. What started as exposure became possibility.

This is the power of partnership: when community organizations, schools, industry partners, and employers work together, young people gain access to opportunities they may never have known existed.

Thank you to NORD and all of our OpenWaters partners for helping create pathways for students like Adonis — and good luck to Adonis as he prepares for upcoming interviews for jobs in the industry. NORD Commission

08/10/2026

OpenWaters Louisiana is proud of our role in Louisiana’s workforce development pipeline—and grateful to the partners who help build the maritime industry’s next generation of professionals.
As we wrap our 2026 internship program, we’re highlighting stories that show the power of that collaboration.
One of this year’s Jefferson Parish Schools interns first learned about OpenWaters through a We Work the Waterways Maritime Interaction Day at Port of New Orleans before ultimately joining us for this summer’s internship.
We Work The Waterways is one of our longest-standing partners, and this is exactly the kind of connected workforce pipeline we hope to continue building across Louisiana.
Thank you to Jefferson Parish Schools and all of our industry partners who help make these opportunities possible.
Together, we’re building the next generation of Louisiana’s maritime workforce.

Cohort 2 of our 2026 Summer Internship is underway! The Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association and the New Orleans-Bato...
07/21/2026

Cohort 2 of our 2026 Summer Internship is underway! The Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association are excited to kick off our second cohort of the 2026 OpenWaters Summer Internship—now in partnership with Jefferson Parish Schools , offering students a work-based learning opportunity that combines hands-on maritime industry experience with school credit.

Thank you to the partners who welcomed our interns during the first two days:
📍 Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association: River Port Pilots’ Association: program orientation, covering how pilots are dispatched to vessels and how the piloting process works.
📍 Associated Terminals : toured their Convent headquarters, seeing how new technology is shaping day-to-day maritime operations.
📍 The Kearney Companies Inc: container transloading and the evolution of modern warehousing.
📍 Port of New Orleans : behind-the-scenes look at port operations through staff presentations across multiple departments.
📍 NOLA Terminal LLC: a firsthand look at terminal operations capable of handling Capesize vessels and dozens of barges a week.

This is exactly why OpenWaters exists: connecting students to the people and companies keeping Louisiana’s maritime industry moving, while giving them real-world career exposure that extends beyond the classroom. Thank you to every industry leader who continues to open your doors to these young people.

Congratulations to Max Morrell on graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.We are incred...
07/08/2026

Congratulations to Max Morrell on graduating from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.
We are incredibly proud of Max’s dedication to his country and to the maritime industry. OpenWaters has been honored to mentor Max from the beginning of his journey in the industry, and we look forward to continuing to support him as he advances in his career.
Wishing Max continued success as he begins his work deep sea on tankers and serves in the Navy Reserve as part of his post-graduation commitment from Kings Point.
Congratulations, Max!

OpenWaters Louisiana is proud to kick off the first cohort of our 2026 internship program.This year, we are excited to w...
06/30/2026

OpenWaters Louisiana is proud to kick off the first cohort of our 2026 internship program.

This year, we are excited to welcome two internship cohorts, expanding opportunities for young people to gain direct exposure to Louisiana’s maritime industry and the many career pathways connected to it.

Our internship is designed to serve as a broad introduction to the maritime industry as a whole — giving students access to the people, companies, facilities, and experiences that help power Louisiana’s working waterfront.

We are grateful to all of our partners for opening their doors and creating meaningful opportunities for these young people. Special thanks to YouthForce NOLA NOLA for partnering with us this year on the first cohort, Jefferson Parish Schools for partnering with us on the second cohort, and all of our industry partners for helping make this experience possible.

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes industry experiences and action from their visits throughout the program.

Here’s to the start of a great first cohort.

Welcome aboard, Cohort 1!We’re excited to kick off the 2026 OpenWaters Louisiana Summer Internship Program with our firs...
06/30/2026

Welcome aboard, Cohort 1!

We’re excited to kick off the 2026 OpenWaters Louisiana Summer Internship Program with our first group of interns and the captains and maritime professionals who will guide them over the next two weeks.

What began as a single summer experience has grown to two internship sessions this year, creating even more opportunities for students to explore Louisiana’s dynamic maritime industry through hands-on learning and mentorship.

We’re proud to be recognized as a finalist for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 2026 Morial Awards Co...
05/15/2026

We’re proud to be recognized as a finalist for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 2026 Morial Awards Corporation of the Year.
At OpenWaters Louisiana, we are committed to expanding opportunity, strengthening the maritime workforce and building a more sustainable future for our industry. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission!

03/19/2026

We are proud to have once again partnered with , alongside fellow industry leaders from top maritime companies, for an impactful day of maritime workforce awareness in Baton Rouge, engaging more than 200 high school students.
We are grateful to all who joined us—especially legislative and government stakeholders—who recognize the strength of Louisiana’s maritime ecosystem and share a collective commitment to broadening access to career opportunities. Together, we are working to ensure the next generation is prepared to sustain and strengthen Louisiana’s position as a global leader in the maritime and logistics industry.

OpenWaters Louisiana is proud to continue our outreach to young people of New Orleans through our partnership with , int...
02/23/2026

OpenWaters Louisiana is proud to continue our outreach to young people of New Orleans through our partnership with , introducing them to the many opportunities within Louisiana’s maritime industry and cultivating the relationships that can set them up for success.

Last Saturday, OpenWaters Chairman Captain Lee Jackson, alongside New Orleans (District E), spoke with members of NORD’s Teen Council at the Milne Recreation Center, sharing insight into maritime career pathways and encouraging students to apply for our 2026 Summer Internship Program.

We look forward to continuing our work with NORD and to new opportunities to connect with young people throughout Greater New Orleans and across the great State of Louisiana. If you have a young person in mind for our internship program, encourage them to apply today: Link in Bio

🚨NORD x OpenWaters Sanchez Pool Update 🚨🏊‍♀️February Level 1 & 2 Swim Lessons — Spots Still Open!Presented by the OpenWa...
02/04/2026

🚨NORD x OpenWaters Sanchez Pool Update 🚨
🏊‍♀️February Level 1 & 2 Swim Lessons — Spots Still Open!
Presented by the OpenWaters Maritime Career Development Program the Sanchez Indoor Pool (1616 Fats Domino Avenue).
📍 Register in person at Sanchez Pool, or
🖥️Online at OpenWatersLouisiana.com
📆 Class Dates: February 9–27
🗓️ Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
🕔 Time: 5:00–5:45 PM
These beginner swim lessons build essential water skills while introducing families to the many opportunities connected to Louisiana’s maritime industry.

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