Maritime Careers Exploration is a free Career and Technical Training Program offering hands on training and experience to jump start a career in a field with hundreds of jobs on the sea and ashore. (Deck, Engine, Steward, Shoreside Operations, Medical Professionals)

This course will provide

• *Classroom and hands on training in the areas of navigation, engineering, basic sailing, marlinspike, knots, power vessel handling, rules of the road, ship maintenance, and life at sea  (Virtual due to COVID)
• Career Portfolio- creating professional resumes and interviewing tips
• Financial Literacy
• Transportation Workers Identification Credential Card (TWIC)
• American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, AED certification
• ServSafe
• BoatUS
• *Industry field trips (Virtual due to COVID)
• *Guest Speakers-Industry Professionals (Virtual due to COVID)
• *5 or 7 day internship voyage aboard the SSV Makani Olu
• Career and job placement counseling after completing the program which may include funding for advanced certifications, trainings, and endorsements. (Merchant Mariner Credentials, STCW, VPDSD, Government Vessels, Advanced Fire Fighting, 50-100 Ton License, and more)

*Due to COVID-19 some portions of the course have been modified to comply with city and state guidelines and keep our staff and students safe.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the age requirement?

A: You must be at least 17 years of age with a high school diploma or GED. 18 years or older are not required to have a high school diploma or GED.  There is no age cut off for the program. 

Q: Why can’t I take the program if I was born in Hawaii but not Native Hawaiian?

A: Certain grants require the participants to be of Native Hawaiian ancestry due to their funding source.  If you do not qualify for the program because you are not Native Hawaiian, we suggest that you continue to check back as we are always looking for new grants that will allow us to open the program to residents of Hawaii.

Q: Will I become a Captain after completing your program?

A: In order to become a Captain, you will need to have enough sea time as well as take the USCG exam for the tonnage of license that you are wishing to obtain. If you complete the program and have the sea time needed to obtain your license, you will be able to talk with the Career Coach about obtaining your license. You can go to the USCG National Maritime Center website to see the requirements.

Q: I am a diesel mechanic, will I be able to take my experience and apply for an engineering position after completing your course?

A: Your knowledge and experience will be quite valuable but upon completion of our program you will only qualify for an entry level position within the engine department of a vessel.  You will need sea time and other USCG endorsements in order to move up to an Engineer.  You can go to the USCG National Maritime Center website to see the requirements.

Q: What happens after I complete your program?

A: Upon completion of the program you will  decide which area of the industry (deck, engine, steward, shoreside) you wish to enter and will put together a career plan with the Career Coach.  You will work together to achieve the goals that are within your career plan. 

Q: Why do you require vaccinations and TB tests?

A: The majority of the maritime employers we work with as well as Marimed Foundation require at minimum a TB test, COVID vaccination, and Tetanus Vaccination to sail with them as crew.  

All applicants must have the following documentation to be eligible:

• A valid TB Test (skin test within the last year)
• COVID Vaccination (First series-one or two shots depending on the vaccination manufacturer)
• Current tetanus vaccination 
• Proof of Native Hawaiian ancestry (Birth Certificate, OHA card, etc)
• Photo identification

2023-2024 Sessions:  

MCE 51A: January 22 to March 1, 2024 (Native Hawaiian Cohort)- CLOSED

Blended learning:

January 22 to January 25, 2024 (online) January 26, 2024 (In-person)

January 29 to February 1, 2024 (online) February 2, 2024 (In-person)

Mandatory Voyage:

February 5 to February 9, 2024

In-person learning days:

February 12 to February 16, 2024

February 19 to February 23, 2024

Online Learning:

February 26 to March 1, 2024

This course does not allow for any absences.  Please make sure your schedule will allow for you to attend all in-person learning days as well as the mandatory voyage.

If you are able to attend all in-person learning days, complete the online coursework, and provide the required documentation (TB test, COVID vaccination, etc) please sign up for an appointment below.  

MCE 52 Cohort March 11 to April 19, 2024 (Native Hawaiian Cohort)

March 11 to March 29 (Online Coursework)

April 1 to April 5 (In-person learning)

April 8 to April 12 (In-person learning)

April 15 to April 19 (5 day voyage within the Hawaiian Islands)

This course does not allow for any absences.  Please make sure your schedule will allow for you to attend all in-person learning days as well as the mandatory voyage.

If you are able to attend all in-person learning days, complete the online coursework, and provide the required documentation (TB test, COVID vaccination, etc) please sign up for an appointment below.  You must have all required documents at the time of your appointment.

FUTURE COHORTS (NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME) Class dates subject to change