LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md. [June 1, 2026] — MITAGS has launched the MITAGS Deck Study & Plotting Pack – Maryland No-Cost Gear Upgrade Initiative, a workforce development program designed to help Maryland mariners advance their U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) deck credentials by removing financial barriers to essential navigation tools and study materials.
The initiative will provide eligible Maryland residents with a professional-grade navigation and study kit at no cost. Each MITAGS Deck Study & Plotting Pack has an estimated retail value of more than $400 and is intended to support mariners throughout multiple stages of their careers, from Able Seaman (AB) to Master.
The kits include navigation plotting tools commonly used for USCG exam preparation and license advancement, including:
- Weems & Plath Basic Navigation Set (#317): parallel rule, Weems protractor, 6″ dividers, and navigation pencil in a protective case
- Additional divider
- Two navigational triangles (8″–10″)
- Three NOAA Nautical Training Charts:
- 12221TR Chesapeake Bay Entrance
- 12354TR Block Island Sound
- 13218TR or similar Long Island/New England coastal training chart
- The American Practical Navigator (Bowditch), Combined Volumes 1 & 2, 2017/2024 Hardcover Edition
- USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook/COLREGS
- Study supplies, including soft drafting pencils, a high-quality eraser, and plotting sheets
“This initiative is about giving Maryland mariners access to the professional tools they need to advance their careers,” said Catherine Gianelloni, Director of MITAGS East. “By reducing the financial burden associated with navigation gear and study materials, we hope to create more opportunities for mariners to pursue credential upgrades and strengthen the maritime workforce.”
Maryland residents who fully complete the survey are eligible for the grant. Materials must be picked up in person at the MITAGS campus (692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090) during designated pickup times.
The pickup schedule will be sent to approved applicants. Applicants must provide proof of TWIC and a valid ID showing Maryland residency.
Scan the QR code to access the application.
For more information about the MITAGS Deck Study & Plotting Pack – Maryland No-Cost Gear Upgrade Initiative, please reach out to [email protected]
Funding for this program comes from a joint effort between Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland Works for Wind, Baltimore County Department of Economic & Workforce Development, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Good Jobs Challenge grant program, administered by the Economic Development Administration.
About MITAGS
MITAGS is a maritime training institution providing advanced simulation, professional development, apprenticeship programs, and U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime education for mariners throughout the United States. With East and West Coast campuses in Baltimore, Maryland and Seattle, Washington, MITAGS supports workforce development across the maritime industry through hands-on training, credential advancement, and safety education.
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