Western Pacific Maritime Academy (WPMA) is pleased to announce that it has offered its first US Coast Guard (USCG) approved course on the CNMI. On Saturday, 17 September, WPMA offered its inaugural maritime course to the public of the Northern Mariana Island. The vessel security course (Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties) was given to a full house of twelve (12) candidates who are sea farers’ holding a Merchant Marine Credential (MMC) or men and women who wish to become professional mariners.

WPMA is a Non-Profit Corporation located right here on Saipan with its maritime offices and classrooms located at Northern Marianas Technical Institute (NMTech) in lower base. The Academy will be offering a full curriculum of USCG approved maritime courses and services to the seafaring public. Included in its offerings are free seminars to the public on how to obtain an MMC.

WPMA’s workforce development program steers candidates into high paying jobs in the maritime sector. Entry level credentialed professional mariners may work as deck seamen, engineers or members of the catering department. An entry level seaman in the US Merchant Marine can earn upwards of $5000 per month through one of a number of Maritime Unions or Military Sealift Command. In the wake of COVID-19, the maritime sector is experiencing a huge demand for credentialed mariners.

(PSS) Commissioner Alfred Ada has approved a four-year high school vocational maritime track at Kagman High School, and has signaled his intent to expand the program CNMI wide in the very near future. The PSS Maritime Vocational Track will graduate students ready to enter the maritime workforce as fully credentialed unlicensed mariners or work in the lagoon supporting tourism and trade. Within the vocational tack, are college bound STEM courses that will prime students to further their education in one of several Maritime Academies. Maritime colleges graduate Deck and Engineering Merchant Officers who may also serve on active duty or reserve officer in the US Navy or US Coast Guard.

For further information on our programs, please contact Selina Taitano at staitano@wpma.net or Capt. Michael Bacher 670-789-1636, mbacher@wpma.net

“SEAFARING IS NOBLE WORK”