Maritime Training, Career Advancement, and Simulation Excellence

MITAGS provides U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime training, apprenticeship programs, license upgrade courses, and advanced simulation services for mariners, employers, government agencies, and maritime organizations nationwide.

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MITAGS Maritime Training

Start Your Next Step With Confidence

Find the right MITAGS training path based on your career stage, credential goals, or organizational training needs.

50+ Years of Maritime Training USCG-Approved Courses East & West Coast Training Advanced Simulation Facilities

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New to Maritime or Planning Your Career?

Compare MITAGS programs and structured pathways for long-term maritime career growth.

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Need a Specific Course?

Search upcoming MITAGS courses, dates, locations, and training options.

Find a Course → STCW Training

Need STCW Certification?

View STCW courses for safety, compliance, credentialing, and professional maritime requirements.

View STCW Courses → Apprenticeship

Want to Build a Maritime Career?

Learn about apprenticeship pathways combining classroom training, sea time, and career development.

Explore Apprenticeship → Simulation & Research

Training a Crew or Testing Operations?

Explore simulation services for assessment, research, operational planning, and crew training.

Explore Simulation → Maritime Resources

Need Guidance Before Choosing?

Read maritime career articles, credential guides, training updates, and MITAGS news.

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Career Opportunities

Where Can a Maritime Career Take You?

Maritime professionals work across commercial shipping, government fleets, ferries, offshore energy operations, towing vessels, research vessels, and port operations.

Deck Officer

Lead navigation, vessel operations, watchstanding, and crew coordination aboard commercial vessels.

Master / Captain

Command vessels, oversee safety, manage crews, and hold responsibility for vessel operations.

Pilot

Guide vessels through ports, waterways, channels, and other complex operating environments.

Tug & Towboat Operations

Support harbor, inland, coastal, and offshore towing operations across the maritime industry.

Government Fleets

Pursue opportunities with government, military, research, training, and public-service vessels.

Port Operations

Move into shoreside roles supporting vessel traffic, terminal operations, logistics, and safety.

Safety & Compliance

Apply maritime experience to inspection, training, regulatory compliance, and safety management.

Maritime Management

Advance into leadership roles in operations, training, workforce development, and maritime administration.

Maritime careers offer opportunities in commercial shipping, towing operations, government fleets, ferries, offshore energy, research vessels, port operations,
safety management, and maritime leadership positions.

Ready to Start or Advance Your Maritime Career?

Explore maritime training programs, career pathways, apprenticeship opportunities, and credential advancement options designed to help you achieve your professional goals.

Explore Maritime Career Pathways →

Testimonials

Robert R.

Stabbert Maritime (ADVSTB-CMM Course)

The instructor and the wide variety of practice problems made this course extremely effective. The training thoroughly prepared me for the test, and the hands-on approach — especially using the simulator — was a valuable part of the learning experience.

Kevin O’Connor

Staten Island Ferries / NYCDOT

The BRM-SIF course at MITAGS delivered a strong, hands-on learning experience. The structure was especially effective—lessons covered in the morning were immediately applied in practical exercises, reinforcing real-world skills. The course was well-organized, highly valuable, and absolutely worth the time.

Moussa Dabo

Chief Pilot

MITAGS' Chief Mate Master Program focused on the essential materials and practical knowledge needed to succeed and advance my career. Your experienced instructors are valuable resources, as they all had a long careers at sea prior to being in the classroom. Sharing their experiences and other case studies with us was truly insightful and helped with my success.

Christopher Aiello

APL Maritime, Ltd.

Jerry Hasselbach, David and Olav were great instructors. Jerry, especially. He stuck by me when I did not pass the course previously and made me go out and get better – and I did. To pass the course now has been great, and I will forever be grateful and learn from this experience.

Elizabeth Kretovic

Mid-Atlantic Marine Affairs Manager, Ørsted Offshore North America

As a developer, stakeholder engagement is paramount to the successful development of projects. MITAGS has made our vision a reality through its navigation simulator, which allows the user to conceptualize the magnitude and layout of the wind farm resulting in a clearer understanding of the project rather than simply looking over charts and drawings on paper...MITAGS’ innovation in developing both simulated wind farms and realistic vessel models will significantly contribute to navigation safety and familiarity as the new industry is making its way into the U.S. market.

Read the full recommendation letter here.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a licensed deck officer?

The timeline depends on the training pathway and sea experience. Some structured programs, such as maritime apprenticeship programs, allow students to progress from entry-level training to a Mate’s license in just over two years, combining classroom instruction, simulator training, and required sea time.

What certifications do I need to work on a ship?

Most professional mariners need several credentials, including:

Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
STCW Basic Training certification
A valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Additional endorsements depending on the role and vessel type

MITAGS training programs help mariners complete many of these required certifications.

What industries hire MITAGS graduates?

MITAGS graduates work across many maritime sectors, including:

Commercial shipping
Tug and towing operations
Offshore energy and wind farms
Passenger vessels and ferries
Government and military support fleets
Port operations and maritime logistics

These sectors rely on skilled maritime professionals to safely operate vessels and support global trade.

Can veterans use the GI Bill to pay for maritime training at MITAGS?

Yes. Many MITAGS training programs are approved for VA education benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Eligible veterans may use these benefits to help pay for training programs including the Maritime Apprenticeship Program and license advancement courses.

What maritime training programs at MITAGS are GI Bill approved?

Several MITAGS programs are approved for GI Bill benefits, including:

Maritime Apprenticeship Programs (MAP)
AB to Mate license upgrade programs
Mate to Master license advancement programs
Certain professional maritime training courses

These programs allow veterans to transition into maritime careers while using their education benefits.

Can I start a maritime career with no experience?

Yes. Many people enter the maritime industry with little or no previous experience. Entry-level training such as STCW Basic Training or structured programs like the Maritime Apprenticeship Program provide the foundational skills needed to begin working at sea.