The Landing School has taught boatbuilding, marine systems, engines and composites since 1978. It’s a special place, something you could feel if you’ve ever been there. If you worked alongside any of their graduates, you also know that high-quality instruction was happening in this unassuming cow field in Arundel, Maine. 

I’m disappointed to report that the institution closed May 2, citing declining enrollment as a primary driver of the decision. 

Initially focusing exclusively on wooden boats, The Landing School morphed into an accredited, degree-granting institution that taught everything from yacht design to restoration to systems and more. Graduates went on to fill positions at boatbuilders, boatyards and design firms.

I got to know the ins and outs of higher education through one of the school’s past presidents, Robert DeColfmacker. I met the board of trustees. I saw how the school functioned and how the American Boat & Yacht Council’s standards could be used through the teaching process to help us achieve our mission of safe boating. A favorite moment was when I was asked to speak at a graduation ceremony. I have done hundreds of presentations in my career, but for some reason speaking to the future of the marine industry had me more nervous than I had ever been.

All went well, and then I had another first. I mingled in the crowd of parents and relatives for a bit, and a man walked up to me and shook my hand. He introduced himself and thanked me for my talk. He said, “My daughter is marrying one of these guys, and I now feel much better about their future in this industry.”

I won’t forget that. The Landing School was a school, but it was also a place that built lifelong passion and careers for our industry. The closing just hits hard.

DeColfmacker has had much more influence on the ABYC than he might know. Not only had I gained a mentor in the education space, but I had also found someone who would continuously take my calls and work through the ideas of the next phase of the ABYC’s school engagement. From the Marine League of Schools to its successor, the Marine Trades Accreditation Program, Bob and The Landing School community were there to help. 

More recently, the instructors continued the ABYC relationship with an amazing passion for the work they were doing and the industry they were serving. It’s not too much to say that the modern era of the ABYC’s higher-learning strategy was born with substantial help from The Landing School.

Certainly, there are other institutions with the bespoke qualities of The Landing School. There’s the Marine Trades Institute in Michigan, IYRS School of Technology & Trades in Rhode Island, Skagit Valley College in Washington and Fort Myers Technical College in Florida, to name a few. I consider the relationships the ABYC has with schools to be some of our most valuable assets. This is, after all, the future of our industry. 

The reality is that if we want to thrive as an industry, we need to make sure that places like The Landing School do not end. Solid, accredited institutions are a part of our future that is not getting enough attention. We as an industry have an incredible story to tell and incredible careers to offer. Our industry supports not only the economy, but also the individuals and families who choose to work in it. We can offer careers, not just jobs. We need The Landing School and all of the other schools to be training individuals for success in the boating business. 

If this is not the core definition of sustainability, I am not sure what is. 

I would like to thank president John Caron for his efforts to keep the school open. John spent a huge amount of time connecting with alumni of The Landing School all over the country and strategizing to keep the school going into the future. The board of trustees and others had to make a tough choice. 

I hope there is some way to keep teaching students how to make boats safe, reliable and enjoyable. And I hope this is not the last we hear of that little school in Arundel, Maine.

John Adey is president of the American Boat & Yacht Council.

This story originally appeared in the July 2026 issue of Soundings Trade Only.