gCaptain has just received the breaking news that the U.S. Department of Transportation will be shutting down the Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS). Sources tell us that representatives from the DOT came to the school today with the notice that as of July 2012, GMATS will be 100% shut down.
GMATS employs 30 full-time employees, including a number of single mothers, and 213 part-time employees, of which 60% are U.S. veterans, we are told. The employees were told that the Department will do everything they can to help the “transition” and said employees can start looking at USAjobs.gov website, the official job board of the U.S. government.
As a nonappropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI), it is, from what we have been told, entirely self-funded but operates on (and reimburses) the United States Merchant Marine Academy campus in Kings Point, N.Y., one of five federal service academies. Why they are shutting down the school is still unclear.
GMATS has been the official continuing education program of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy located in Kings Point, NY since 1994. Founded to meet the education and training needs of the transportation industry, the school witnessed a dramatic expansion in both size and scope of its courses and programs upon inception.
With the schools shutdown, USMMA will be the only maritime academy without a continuing education program.
UPDATE: The Deputy Director for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maureen Knightly, has sent gCaptain the following statement regarding the issue.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are committed to creating and serving a maritime transportation system that addresses 21st century challenges. As part of this commitment and in response to specific recommendations from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Academy is taking steps to wind down the Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) and determine the Academy’s role in continuing education.”
Knightly added that USMMA does offer an on-line MS degree program in Marine Engineering.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars.
We’ve started a discussion in the gCaptain forum regarding this story. Please visit to post updates and give your thoughts on this matter. Go: DOT Shuts Down GMATS! BREAKING NEWS
By Yimou Lee TAIPEI, March 7 (Reuters) – China has stepped up grey-zone warfare against Taiwan, aiming to make the areas around the democratic island “saturated” with balloons, drones and civilian boats,...
Austal USA has kicked off plans to construct a new manufacturing facility, marking a significant expansion of its shipyard capacity in Mobile, Alabama in support of U.S. Navy and Coast...
Oldendorff and Norsepower have announced an agreement to install three Norsepower Rotor Sails™ on board a modern bulk carrier to reduce its emissions. The vessel, Dietrich Oldendorff, will be equipped...
February 5, 2024
Total Views: 846
Why Join the gCaptain Club?
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.