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...

Resumption of Services at the National Maritime Center and Regional Examination Centers Funding for the Department of Homeland Security and US Coast Guard has been restored, and the National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are resuming normal operations in a phased approach to prioritize the most critical functions and address the backlog of applications and examinations resulting from the lapse in appropriations. Application Procedures and Processing Timelines The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Applications for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs), medical certificates, and course approvals and related requests will be processed on a first-in/first-out basis. Only applications...

As reprinted from the National Maritime Center Notice dated April 23, 2026 Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #3 (corrected by NMC) Mitigation Efforts – Extensions This update supersedes the information in Update #2 dated March 19, 2026. While DHS and USCG remain without...

Reprinted from USCG NMC Notice  Upcoming Launch:  E-mail Delivery of Medical Certificates The National Maritime Center (NMC) will begin issuing medical certificates electronically via e-mail effective Wednesday, April 1, 2026. This enhancement improves delivery speed, reliability, and accessibility...

Information provided from: USCG National Mariitme Center Website on January 7, 2026 The National Maritime Center (NMC) will officially launch its new online Application Submission and Additional Information Portal (ASAP) and redesigned website on Monday January 26, 2026. The transition to the...

IMO Issues New Training Requirement on Violence and Harassment Prevention The new International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC.560(108) introduces a change to seafarer training that affects all entry-level safety instruction effective on January 1st, 2026. The resolution amends the International...

MPT Hosts Fort Lauderdale Sea Cadets for Hands-On Maritime Training On March 8, 2025, Maritime Professional Training (MPT) proudly welcomed the Fort Lauderdale Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) for an immersive day of hands-on training. The event provided young cadets with the opportunity...

Maritime Professional Training Welcomes Dr. Crystal Allen Craft as Vice Principal of Academic Affairs Maritime Professional Training (MPT) has been a cornerstone in the community, serving as an essential resource for mariners, yacht crew, and industry leaders to advance their careers on the water.It's...

In an abundance of caution due to Hurricane Milton's approach and the increase in the chance of tropical force winds in the Fort Lauderdale area, MPT will close today, Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 2pm. We plan to reopen tomorrow at noon. If you are scheduled for a class starting tomorrow, please check...

Maritime Professional Training Names John F. Flanagan As Academic Principal Maritime Professional Training (MPT) has appointed John F. Flanagan as the school’s Academic Principal, overseeing the overall academic management at MPT.   John brings his years of professional training and development knowledge to this new role. I am confident that he will be instrumental in future growth and innovation at MPT.” — Lisa Morley, Executive Vice President at MPT FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, July 9, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Maritime Professional Training (MPT) has appointed John F. Flanagan as the school’s Academic Principal, an expansive role that includes overseeing the overall academic management at MPT, including regulatory compliance, curriculum development,...

MPT's Captain Ted Morley is proud to be the Task Chair for the USCG’s alt-fuel safety advisory committee. Alternative Fuels: Many Possibilities But a Clear Path is Evasive As the world zeroes in on alternative energy sources and products that can deliver power and performance, there are advances...

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...

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 name, committed themselves to this country, and put their lives on the line. Every American is a beneficiary of our veterans’ vigilance, valor, and sacrifice.   In March of 1864, after almost 3 years of devastating fighting in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln reminded the nation of the sacrifices veterans make for us all … “All that a man hath he will give his life for his country … the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country’s...

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...

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 are receiving daily updates and will post additional changes to our schedule as they develop. Students will be rebooked into later classes and we will be adding additional dates to help clear the backlog of mariners needing to meet their regulatory compliance requirements. MPT will honor all program discounts that were previously scheduled and, in an effort to assist mariners affected by the global slowdown, will extend those program discounts through the summer. Everyone is making sacrificesand...

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...

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...