Was The World’s ‘Northern-Most Island’ Erased From Charts?
by Kevin Hamilton (University of Hawaii) In 2021, an expedition off the icy northern Greenland coast spotted what appeared to be a previously uncharted island. It was small and gravelly,...
Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy made the decision to close the Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS), based on a recommendation from an internal task force. We want to share with the maritime community why this step was necessary.
In 2009, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report summarizing the findings of an investigation into the operations of the Academy and its Non-Appropriated Fund Instrumentalities (NAFIs), such as GMATS. As a result of that report, the Maritime Administration established an internal task force to review the operations and continued viability of the Academy’s NAFIs. And although it provides innovative education and training programs, this task force found that GMATS does not meet established criteria to continue operating as a NAFI. The GMATS Board of Directors, the USMMA, and the Maritime Administration all agreed on this fact, for several reasons:
We explored several options to keep GMATS open. However, GMATS cannot maintain its NAFI status, the USMMA lacks appropriated funding for this activity, and Congressional authorization would be required to transition it to some other entity. As a result, we had to make the decision to discontinue GMATS.
We value and appreciate the service of GMATS employees and are committed to working with them during their transition.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is absolutely committed to supporting programs that enhance maritime education, but we must do so in a manner that is consistent with federal financial management practices. The role of continuing maritime education at the Academy will be considered as part of the Academy’s strategic planning process, which launched earlier this month.
–END–
Join the Discussion in the gCaptain Forum: DOT Shuts Down GMATS
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,934 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign UpMaritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,934 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up