ARTICLE
TOLEDO, Ohio, July 12, 2017— The Maritime Academy of Toledo (TMAT), and Sea School, the premier maritime training school in the country, have announced a partnership that will make a significant economic impact on the City of Toledo. “We are proud to host Sea School, and excited to offer our high-tech virtual reality simulator to make their education as immersive as possible,” said Tom Shafer, superintendent, TMAT. “The funds will be used by the foundation for future college scholarships, to help with building expansion, to purchase supplies and equipment for students and teachers and will allow our CTE students to gain some insight by mariners in the field and to keep our foundation thriving.” Sea School educates over 10,000 mariners each year. With this partnership, mariners from across the country will come to Toledo for continuing education courses throughout the next year. TMAT will be hosting some mariners within the school dormitories, and others will stay at local hotels. TMAT was chosen because of its prime location on the Maumee River and its accessibility to the Great Lakes. In addition, Greg Kelly, Sea School’s chief executive officer, feels deeply connected to the school’s mission “I am passionate about what TMAT does for many of their students, which is getting them jobs, in the water, upon graduation. They have has offered us key tools and accommodations that will be of great use to our mariners in continuing their education,” Kelly said. Some of the classes that the mariners will be taking include Able Seaman, Assistance Towing, CPR/First Aid, Auxiliary Sail and Personal Survival Techniques. “The purpose of Sea School and its value to mariners are many. Charter Boat captains can upgrade licenses, mariners can take classes to upgrade their credentials and move up in pay-grade,” said Kelly. “Mariners have to take these classes to advance to different jobs on a vessel.” About The Maritime Academy of Toledo TMAT helps students in grades 5-12 develop the skills they need for the next stage of their lives. The school’s hands-on curriculum blends traditional courses with specialized maritime courses, giving students a diverse education that prepares them for enrollment in a traditional or maritime college and opens a unique variety of maritime career opportunities. The school’s career tech programs also prepare students for jobs in marine environmental science and the culinary arts. The school is dedicated to educating the whole child – nurturing the affective, social, creative, cognitive, language and physical areas of the child’s development. About Sea School Headquartered in Tampa, Florida and in business for over 37 years with locations along the eastern seaboard, Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, Sea School educates and trains members of the United States Coast Guard, offering the most up-to-date and rigorous training and ongoing education courses.