Professional Mariners Program

Maritime careers offer excellent wages, benefits, travel opportunities, and career advancement without a four-year college degree. Delaware Sea Grant is looking to provide step-by-step assistance throughout the application process, including individual assessment, career orientation, vessel tours and training videos, introductions to industry partners, and employment support. 

In addition, applicants can also share ANY maritime experience, including fishing, recreational boating, waterfront employment, and military service.  No experience is necessary for entry-level maritime employment, and each individual will receive a personalized plan to obtain the necessary credentialing and employment recommendations within the maritime industry.

The Professional Mariner Training Program hosted by Delaware Sea Grant will guide participants through the process of earning their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). With an MMC, an individual is eligible to work aboard tugboats, ferries, cargo ships, research vessels, commercial fishing vessels, and offshore vessels such as oil drilling ships.  

The Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) is the document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard that authorizes mariners to work aboard ships in the United States. Maritime careers offer excellent wages, benefits, travel opportunities, and career advancements without a four-year college degree. With additional training combined with earned sea time, a mariner can advance from a deckhand or wiper to a licensed officer within a few years, earning a six-figure income. Delaware Sea Grant is looking to provide step-by-step assistance throughout the application process, including individual assessment, career orientation, vessel tours and training videos, introductions to industry partners, and employment support. 

Maritime Sea Grant provides individualized guidance to help participants successfully obtain their Merchant Mariner Credential as well as their TWIC, occupational physical, and drug test. They will receive step-by-step assistance throughout the application process, including individual assessment, career orientation, vessel tours and training videos, introductions to industry partners, and employment support. 

Participants will work closely with the maritime workforce specialist through each stage of the credential and employment program.  The step-by-step process includes obtaining a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card), completing an occupational physical and CG 719k medical certificate form, working with MM-SEAS or Diamond Marine Services for credential processing, submitting the MMC (Merchant Mariner Credential) applications as well as instructional video viewing, on-site vessel tours, ferry and tugboat visits, and employer introductions.