Hawai‘i residents could soon take advantage of a new maritime training scholarship fund to attend the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, Calif. The money will come from local maritime firms and organizations supported by Hawai‘i’s Jones Act. “Cal Maritime is
Hawai‘i residents could soon take advantage of a new maritime training scholarship fund to attend the California Maritime Academy in Vallejo, Calif.
The money will come from local maritime firms and organizations supported by Hawai‘i’s Jones Act.
“Cal Maritime is a prime resource for the quality personnel we seek to run our vessels and company,” said Glenn Hong, chief executive officer for Hawaiian Tug & Barge and Young Brothers, a local marine operator specializing in moving cargo to and from the Neighbor Islands.
“Just this month a CMA graduate joined us as an engineer. We also have several undergrads that are going through various intern programs this summer,” Hong said. “We view CMA as an important conduit of qualified personnel for our maritime and cargo operations, and look forward to contributing to the scholarship fund,” Hong said.
The Jones Act refers to a series of laws enacted in the 1920s which among other things require that American-owned ships transport goods between American ports.
These laws, called cabotage laws, have been enacted by 45 countries.
The fund could be over $50,000 as an initial installment for the Maritime Cabotage Task Force, Hawaii Chapter scholarship fund.
The academy is renowned for providing students with a four-year degree that focuses on applied technology and hands-on learning.
Students graduate with a third-mate’s license; a third-assistant engineer’s license; or a license as a certified plant engineer in training for land-based jobs. They also may earn bachelor’s degrees in business administration, facilities engineering technology, marine transportation, marine engineering technology and mechanical engineering.
Many remain in the naval reserves or pursue careers as Navy jet pilots, and a high percentage land jobs in the U.S. maritime sector.
“This effort is a natural extension of our work to secure more local job opportunities in support of the U.S.-flag merchant marine,” said Neil Dietz, chairman of the Maritime Cabotage Task Force’s Hawaii Chapter, a coalition of pro-U.S.-flag maritime sector vessel operators, unions and other organizations.
To learn more about the California Maritime Academy, please see the Web site, www.csum.edu. For those interested in supporting the scholarship fund, write “MCTF-HI Scholarship Fund” and Neil Dietz care of MCTF-Hawaii Chapter, 606 Kalihi St., Honolulu, HI 96819.
