MPT NEWS

The new 25,000-square-foot expansion of Maritime Professional Training's main Fort Lauderdale facility is now open for business. The roughly $6 million state-of-the-art project effectively doubled the size of the facility, now called the S.M.A.R.T. (Simulation for Maritime Assessment, Research and Training) campus, and added more classrooms and training labs as well as new maritime simulation technology. The private training school, founded in 1983, offers certification courses to people pursuing careers as commercial seamen and yachting professionals. "We train all segments of the industry, so we have cruise ship clients, we have mega yacht clients, deep-draft commercial clients, recreational boaters. We're particularly proud of our military mariner program, where we actually take retiring...

The importance of STCW Basic Training for all maritime crew cannot be overstated. STCW stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The STCW Convention is designed to ensure that all maritime personnel are properly trained and qualified to work on board ships. STCW Basics Training is a set of courses, both knowledge-based and practical, that focus on safety, security, marine environmental protection, emergency response and communications. The basic courses also cover the important topics of personal safety, social responsibility,  medical emergency response, and firefighting. From deckhands to bridge officers - Steward (ess) to engineers,  it is essential...

MPT will be closed for the safety of our students and staff on Wednesday, September 28th due to Tropical Storm warnings for Hurricane Ian in our area. All classes for Wednesday are postponed. We anticipate reopening on Thursday, September 29th at 8am if weather conditions have improved and warnings...

Maritime Professional Training (MPT) is open and all scheduled classes are currently running as we continue to monitor Hurricane Ian. As of this time, we do not anticipate having to close or pause operations for this storm. Hurricanes and their projected paths can change quickly and we advise everyone...

Some of the most popular licenses obtained by mariners in the US are the 100 Ton Master’s Licenses. This license is used on yachts, water taxis, excursion vessels, dive boats, and a host of other vessels. Also, we see many recreational boaters obtaining the license for decreased insurance requirements,...

The U.S. Coast Guard published the final rule titled “Amendments to the Marine Radar Observer Refresher Training Regulations.” The rule amends the requirements for renewal of a radar observer endorsement for mariners who have at least one year (360 days) of relevant service in the previous...

(CNN) — Earlier this week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that, as of Tuesday, January 26, all air passengers ages two and older must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test to enter the United States. The new rule includes US citizens and legal permanent residents....

Veterans Day Message Today is a day this country gives our heartfelt thanks to the men and women that have served to defend our freedom and uphold democracy at home and across the globe. No matter the conflict, whatever branch of service, and whatever rank they achieved… they all signed their...

In response to the overwhelming burden placed on the US mariner by COVID-19 and the myriad of travel and other restrictions currently in place, the USCG has implementing TEMPORARY guidelines, relaxing some of the requirements for revalidation training for mariners with Merchant Mariner Credentials expiring...

Training and Satisfying Regulations in a Covid-19 World  This year we were all dealt the most disruptive blow many of us have ever experienced. The effect on the yachting and shipping industry has long lasting ramifications as owners and crews look for solutions to curb the spread and make the vessels safer, whilst maintaining regulatory compliance. Shutdowns around the world affected our industry and many mariners were left rudderless as plans were put on hold. The various flag states worked to extend deadlines and keep the mariners working as many of the maritime schools worked to provide online training to help the mariners continue to meet the regulatory requirements.  With Covid-19 now part of the fabric of our society we now must determine a path forward to continue to progress...

MIAMI — Effective at 12 p.m., Thursday, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) set port condition X-ray for the Port of Miami due to the expectation of sustained tropical force winds of 39-73 mph generated from Tropical Storm Isaias that may arrive within 48...

Update Note: Expiration dates of mariner credentials and approvals have been updated to reflect an extension to December 31, 2020. Extension of Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsements and Medical Certificates The Coast Guard has published MSIB 08-20 (Change 2) to update guidance...

Happy National Maritime Day!  MPT would like to wish everyone a Happy National Maritime Day and express our thanks to all of the professional mariners that work incredibly long hours in often grueling conditions to support global logistics and move vital supplies around America and the world.Your...

COVID 19 – Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Operations The uninterrupted flow of commerce on our Marine Transportation System (MTS) is critical to both National Security and National economic well-being. During this National emergency for COVID-19 it is paramount that...

The Coast Guard has published MSIB 08-20 to provide guidance concerning mariner credentials and medical certificates and the action being taken by the Coast Guard due to the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19).

MPT continues to closely monitor the situation; there remains a tremendous amount of concern with the COVID-19 virus spreading, therefore stay at home orders around the country are being extended. MPT will be extending its temporary closure through April 17th, 2020 and may make additional changes. We...

MPT has been working with local and federal health officials to maintain critical operations for as long as it has been safe to do so. Reducing class size, employing hospital grade disinfectants and electrostatic fogging technology, and enhanced personal hygiene protocols to help keep our staff andclients...

Maritime Professional Training is closely monitoring the developing global situation with the Coronavirus and remains in close contact with local and federal health officials. While no cases of the virus have been reported locally, we have implemented enhanced sanitizing protocols for all public areas of the campus. Our staff are using disinfectants and specific virucidal agents on hard surfaces and we are encouraging everyone to practice proper hygiene habits to help prevent the spread of illnesses.   The CDC recommends the following actions: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based...

Abaco Update September 1, 2019 saw one the most intense tropical cyclones in history make landfall in the Bahamas causing the worst natural disaster in the country’s history. Maximum sustained winds were 185 mph and gusts were well over 200 mph, the storm stalled over the Bahamas and the islands...

The wind was blowing a stiff 20+ kts and the rig groaned under tension as the sails propelled us, no engine and no exhaust- just the wind and our determination drove us forward, a test of our seamanship and skill as we worked to master the forces of nature… Sailing is regarded by some as the...

Hurricane Dorian Update, Tuesday, September 3rd.MPT will be OPEN tomorrow at 7:30 am. All Tropical Storm warnings and watches have been lifted for Broward County and the Fort Lauderdale Airport began to reopen at noon. We completely understand that many of our students live and work in areas that are...

Hurricane Dorian Update.... MPT will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, September 3rd. Fort Lauderdale International Airport also remains closed as of today. Tropical Storm winds are still possible for South Florida into the day tomorrow. Our info@MPTusa.com remains active for now to answer any questions...

MPT continues to closely monitor Hurricane Dorian. Hurricane preparations have already begun to secure our Fort Lauderdale campus, water side and fire fighting facilities.We currently are expecting some impact from the storm on Monday, Labor Day, September 2nd. The campus will be closed Saturday, August...

MPT is proud to be a founding member of this exciting new project.  Reprint from the Triton as published onJuly 23, 2019: With an eye to inspiring future generations, members of the marine industry businesses in South Florida have built “Sea the World,” a storefront that will be visited...

STCW for Beginners   With the steady increase in large yachts, and more crew required to man them, I wanted to discuss the STCW basics because we are seeing a significant increase in questions again. Guidance from the MCA is provided in MSN 1865 (M) and will go into detail on all the regulatory...

Just announced: The MCA will be conducting Engineering Oral Exams at the Maritime Professional Training (MPT) campus during the week of April 8 -12, 2019. Advance preparation courses are available the week of April 1-5th. Space is extremely limited and advance registration is required. Please call our student services office at 954-525-1014 to secure your placement.   

We’ve had a fair amountof focus lately on the larger yachts in our industry and the specific needs of the crew aboard. A segment we haven’t addressed in detail, and one that we have been fielding a lot of reader inquiries about, is the smaller yachts that are less than 500 GT with smaller...

Hurricane Irma Update, Monday, September 11 - 9:30am :MPT classes for today are postponed. We are currently assessing damage and contacting our staff and attempting to restore functionality to the campuses. We know that there is no major damage and power has been partially restored. The Fort Lauderdale...

Hurricane Irma update - Monday evening - September 11th.We are in the process of reopening classrooms and finalizing our damage assessments. Classes will begin tomorrow for: QMED, DDE, Captain's License (100T), OUPV, Deck Officer Upgrade /Terrestrial Coastal Navigation, GMDSS, Medical First Aid, Medical...

Hurricane Irma update - Sunday, September 10th.Thank you to everyone who has called, emailed and sent texts. So far, we are all weathering this storm as safely as possible. There is currently a curfew in Broward County that will not expire until Monday morning at 10am. We will assess damage at thattime...

A hurricane watch has been issued for Broward County, with mandatory evacuations for residents east of US1. MPT continues to monitor the progress of category 5 Hurricane Irma. We will cease all operations and classes this afternoon and be closed until at least Monday. We will continue to post updates...