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Maritime Careers

The Great Lakes/oceans maritime industry offers challenging and rewarding opportunities for ship officers. Based on annual employment reports filed by the largest Great Lakes and oceans operators, there is a demand for new officers each year to fill positions aboard their vessels. Industry demand is based on vacancies resulting from officer retirements, shoreside opportunities, fleet expansion and the increasing demand for unlimited tonnage U.S. Flag Officers internationally. Shoreside opportunities such as transportation management, port management, ship surveying, import/export industries, federal government and ship brokerage positions are just a few of the shoreside opportunities that ship officers transition to. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy helps feed the the maritime industry by graduating highly qualified, highly credentialed and experienced cadets each year. One need not have experience to attend as we teach everything from the ground up. The Academy focuses on those interested in working as officers aboard commercial vessels and seeks prospective students year round. To find out more, contact the Admissions Office or schedule an official visit.

Ship officers typically work eight hours a day, usually following a schedule of hours on duty and off. A deck officer is responsible for the management of the deck department. This includes the navigation/piloting of the ship, loading and unloading of cargo, ship's business, discipline and well being of crew, vessel safety and security. An engineering officer's duties include the management of the engineering department aboard ship. This involves engine room business, operation and preventative maintenance of machinery and equipment aboard ship, discipline and well being of crew, vessel safety and security.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy was formed to prepare deck and engineering officers for highly skilled positions aboard ship in addition to teaching the essential business skills needed to be successful in the world of commercial shipping. Graduation from our maritime college requires determination and dedication, yet the rewards are well worth the effort.