MITAGS has launched a new workforce development program that will provide Maryland mariners with navigation tools and study materials at no cost as they work toward U.S. Coast Guard deck credentials.
The MITAGS Deck Study & Plotting Pack – Maryland No-Cost Gear Upgrade Initiative is open to eligible Maryland residents and is intended to support mariners pursuing credentials ranging from Able Seaman to Master.
Each kit has an estimated retail value of more than $400 and includes equipment and reference materials commonly used for Coast Guard exam preparation and license advancement.
The package includes a Weems & Plath Basic Navigation Set with a parallel rule, protractor, 6" dividers and navigation pencil, along with an additional divider and two 8"-10" navigational triangles.
Mariners will also receive three NOAA nautical training charts covering the Chesapeake Bay entrance, Block Island Sound and a Long Island/New England coastal area. Reference materials include The American Practical Navigator (Bowditch), combined Volumes 1 and 2, and the Coast Guard's Navigation Rules and Regulations Handbook/COLREGS. Drafting pencils, an eraser and plotting sheets are also included.
“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 program survey are eligible for the grant. Approved applicants must pick up the materials in person at the MITAGS campus in Linthicum Heights, Md., during designated pickup periods.
Applicants must provide proof of a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and a valid ID showing Maryland residency. MITAGS will provide pickup schedules to approved applicants.
