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The Northwest Maritime Academy NWMA - Professional Maritime Training Center

Able Seaman, Proficiency in Survival Craft Rescue Boat (PSCRB), Fast Rescue Boat (FRB), and Other USCG Approved Courses in Seattle, Gig Harbor & La Conner, WA

nwma gig harbor

Located in Washington WA, The Northwest Maritime Academy (NWMA) has three campuses in the state. First campus is on the historic waterfront of Gig Harbor Washington, and the second campus located on the Seattle waterfront, home to the NWMA motor lifeboat and rescue boat training facility and the third campus, at the La Connor serving the north end of Puget Sound in a picturesque waterfront community situated along the Swinomish Channel.

The Northwest Maritime Academy (NWMA) is one of the few United States Coast Guard (USCG) approved training school to use up-to-date equipment abreast of the latest SOLAS changes affecting vessels, launching appliances, and hook release systems.

The courses are designed to enhance confidence levels, strengthen skills, and foster a workforce of safer, more informed mariners.

NWMA training partners include the Bremerton International Emergency Services Training Center, WRG Fire Training Simulation Systems, Fire Command Training Structures, Pacific Maritime Institute and MITAGS-PMI. The Northwest Maritime Academy along with The Bremerton International Training Center, WRG and MTC International are in process of building a state of the art mission-specific training pool facility, the Maritime Safety Survival Training (MSST) Facility in the Pacific Northwest. The facility is scheduled to open in 2018.

nwma training

Training Programs

USCG & STCW Courses

  • Upgrade OUPV to Master 100-ton Course: This USCG approved course will satisfy the exam requirements for the upgrade of a valid OUPV Inland or Near Coastal to Master 100-ton or less with the same route.
  • Upgrade Master, Mate 200 Tons Inland to Near Coastal Course: The scope of this class is to provide instruction and assessment in the subjects of navigation general, deck general, safety, and environmental protection as appropriate for - OUPV, Mate or Master not more than 200 GRT from Inland and Great Lakes, or Inland Only to a Near Coastal route; OUPV to Mate or Master not more than 200 GRT, OR;Mate or Master not more than 100 GRT to Mate or Master not more than 200 GRT.
  • Upgrade OUPV Inland to OUPV Near Coastal Course: This sixteen (16) hour USCG Approved course will satisfy all the examinations for upgrade of a merchant mariner credential from OUPV Inland Waters to a credential of OUPV upon Near Coastal Waters
  • Master 200 Ton Upgrade Course: Upon successful completion of this upgrade class the trainee will have the knowledge of navigation, safety, seamanship, and federal regulations necessary to accept the responsibility for the safety of vessels less than 200 GRT on near coastal routes, including its Cargo and passengers; be aware of the obligations under federal regulations concerning safety and protection of the marine environment; and be able to take the practical measures necessary to meet those obligations.
  • Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) Training Course Seattle - La Conner: This three-day course is intended for personnel with previous small boat handling experience wishing to improve and adapt their skills for fast rescue boat operations. This course is a combination of classroom lecture and underway practical exercises.
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft Lifeboatman Limited PSC, Limited: This 2.5-day course provides the knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required to take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launching as outlined in the STCW code.
  • Able Seaman (AB) and PSC Limited Package Course: The first forty (40) hours of this course review the core topics of what it is to be an Able Body Seaman and includes assessments. The next 20 hours of the AB program is a focus on Proficiency in Survival Craft Limited.
  • Able Seaman Course AB Also Known as Able Bodied Seaman: The Able Seaman (AB) course is the starting point for all higher-level certificates. This Marine Training AB course meets all of the U. S. Coast Guard examination requirements, upon graduation the student may immediately transition to the next level course with no further U. S. Coast Guard examination requirements.
  • STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft Rescue Boat Lifeboatmen: This STCW course has been developed for seafarers who are responsible for the survival crafts and rescue boats during an emergency situation.

LAST UPDATED ON July 25, 2021