Elliot D Rappaport

Elliot D Rappaport is an Associate Professor in the Department of Marine Transportation at Maine Maritime Academy, where he has been a faculty member since 2020. His expertise stems from over 30 years of international maritime experience aboard sail training and oceanographic research vessels.

Education:

• B.A., Oberlin College
• MST, The UMaine Center for Research in STEM Education
• Master of Steam, Motor, or Auxiliary Sail Vessels, 1600 Tons

His teaching and research focus on maritime education, with particular emphasis on meteorology, small craft construction, casualty analysis, and watchkeeping. He is deeply interested in how teams and leaders function in challenging maritime field environments. His interdisciplinary approach bridges practical seamanship with scientific understanding, especially in weather interpretation and vessel operations.

His first book, Reading the Glass (2023), is a narrative exploration of seafaring and meteorology, reflecting his unique integration of storytelling and technical knowledge. Though no peer-reviewed articles are listed, his scholarly contributions appear through experiential education and narrative nonfiction.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

As an educator and mentor, Capt. Rappaport advises students in maritime operations and safety. He is involved in hands-on education programs such as the TSSOM Training Cruise and the Bowdoin Training Cruise. His work supports the development of professional mariners through practical, field-based learning experiences. He is also associated with the Center for Professional Mariner Development.

Labs and Teams: Capt. Rappaport is actively involved in field education initiatives including the Training Ship State of Maine, the Tug Pentagoet, and the Schooner Bowdoin programs, which serve as floating classrooms for experiential learning in maritime operations.