Captain James R. Zatwarnicki Jr.

CAPT Zatwarnicki was born in Rahway, NJ and raised in Clark, NJ.  He currently resides in Hoboken, NJ.  CAPT Zatwarnicki graduated SUNY Maritime College in June, 2002 with a degree in Marine Transportation Management and actively sailed on his license from June of 2002 until April 2018. CAPT Zatwarnicki completed his Master of Science in International Transportation Management with SUNY Maritime College in 2017.  He also holds a license as Master Unlimited Tonnage Upon Oceans and Master of Towing Vessels. 

His first job after graduation was aboard the oil spill recovery vessel “M/V New Jersey Responder”, operated by the Marine Spill Response Corporation.  He joined the International Organization of Masters, Mates, & Pilots union in 2004 and was first employed aboard T-AGS oceanographic survey vessels; he also worked for Lamont-Dougherty Earth Observatory aboard the seismic research vessel “R/V Marcus Langseth”.  CAPT Zatwarnicki sailed off-the-board with the MM&P aboard container ships for several years with Maersk Line Limited, Horizon Lines, and APL.  He also worked aboard tugs in and around New York Harbor between 2007 and 2010.  In 2010

CAPT Zatwarnicki spent several months working as a Marine Operations Logistics Manager for the Marine Spill Response Corporation on the MC 252 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.  Most recently CAPT Zatwarnicki was employed with Patriot Contract Services where he served as Chief Mate and Relief Master aboard LMSRs. 

CAPT Zatwarnicki began working at the US Merchant Marine Academy as an Assistant Professor of Nautical Science in April, 2018.  He has taught courses in Introduction to Nautical Science, Terrestrial Navigation, Ship Stability & Construction, ECDIS, and Bridge Resource Management since then.  He served as Assistant Dean for Support Programs from October 2020 through February 2023, at which time he assumed the role of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs.