Great Lakes Maritime Academy
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| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 |
| Location | Traverse City, Michigan, United States |
| Website | http://www.nmc.edu/maritime |
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College is located on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The academy was established in 1969 to train men and women to be licensed mariners on ships of unlimited tonnage or horsepower; including research vessels, cruise ships, freighters, tankers and more. One of only seven maritime academies in the United States, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is unique in that it is the only freshwater maritime academy. In addition, it is the only maritime academy in the United States that offers graduates the opportunity to obtain licensing on both the Great Lakes and the oceans along with an additional credential of First Class Great Lakes Pilot.
The academy is located in Traverse City, Michigan, on Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan.
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy was established in 1969 to provide education and training to those wanting a career in the merchant marine. The academy trains mates (pilots), and maritime engineers. The summer of 2002 brought the arrival of the 224-foot (68 m) training ship, a former Navy vessel, now named the T/S State of Michigan. The academy moved into the new facility late fall of 2003.
Originally dedicated on October 23, 1972, the academy harbor was next on the list for improvements and reconstruction began in 2004. The harbor was completely rebuilt and expanded to better accommodate the T/S State of Michigan and the academy’s three smaller vessels. Appropriately named the “Alumni Light”, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy Alumni Association provided funding to place a large green harbor light atop the 40-foot-tall (12 m) former aftermast of the T/S State of Michigan at the northwest corner of the academy’s harbor. The harbor was completed in 2005, and concluded the construction of the modern campus now home to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy where the T/S State of Michigan is moored only 150 feet (46 m) from the buildings rear.
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy cadets earn their required maritime credentials, "write" for their United States Coast Guard license and earn a bachelor's degree in Maritime Technology. This program prepares graduates for management level positions aboard the largest ships of any type on the Great Lakes and oceans.
Individuals who are admitted to the academy follow a four-year curriculum with a condensed curriculum offered to those who have already earned a Bachelor's (or higher) degree. The maritime curriculum includes classroom instruction, labs, simulation and three semesters at sea . Upon completion of course work and sea projects, deck cadets write the U.S. Coast Guard examinations for licensing as a Third Mate Great Lakes and Oceans Unlimited Tonnage and First Class Great Lakes Pilot. Engineering cadets write the U.S. Coast Guard examination for licensing as a Third Assistant Engineer, Steam and Motor Vessels of any Horsepower. Graduates are fully compliant with STCW '95 (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping).
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