The Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies has the mission to train officers for the international shipping industry with the knowledge and doctrines inherent to the merchant marine profession. All programmes are aligned to standards of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended, which are promulgated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO); the Conduct and Administration of Maritime Training issued by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and the Policies and Procedures of the Quality Management System at the University.

Undergraduate taught programmes

The undergraduate programmes, Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation and Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Engineering typically take four (4) years to complete. These programmes are only offered in full-time modality. We also offer management level training for ship's officers who did not complete the four-year degree programme. This allows them to obtain higher qualification to serve as Master or Chief Mate and Chief Engineer or Second Engineer officer. These programmes are offered in a flexible part-time mode to allow officers to honour their contractual arrangements with shipping companies while enrolled in the programme.

The programmes involve a series of taught modules delivered through lectures and practical activities. All programmes are based on the requirements of the STCW Convention. Upon successful completion of programme of study within the faculty, this allows cadets to receive two awards: a Bachelor’s degree and a Certificate of Competency (CoC) as an officer in charge of a navigational watch or an officer in charge of an engineering watch to serve on board merchant trading ships. Before cadets can obtain a CoC, they are required to complete twelve (12) months at sea as an apprentice officer and take written and oral examinations at the national maritime Administration, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

The BSc in Marine Transportation is ideal if you want to study to become a ship's deck officer. It covers all the professional subjects as outlined in the STCW 1978 Convention, as amended. You will learn how to plan navigation passages, use a variety of navigation instruments and nautical publications; calculate stability conditions of ships; handle ships in varying conditions; make knots and splices using ropes and general safety while working on board a ship.

Bachelor of Engineering in Marine Engineering

The BEng in Marine Engineering programme is ideal if you want to study to become a ship's marine engineering officer. It covers all the professional subjects as outlined in the STCW 1978 Convention, as amended. This programme will provide you with in-depth knowledge of different types of main propulsion machinery and auxiliary systems used onboard ships. The operating systems supported by electrical, electronics and control systems are also included. Students will learn how to design and fabricate components using available engineering materials and complete marine engineering related projects during their course of study.

Specialised Professional Programmes

Master & Chief Mate

This programme is designed for deck officers who are desirous of upgrading their qualification to become a Chief Officer and then Captain on board merchant trading ships. The programme is offered part-time to facilitate officers who are already serving at sea and want to progress to a higher rank. Officers will focus on the responsibilities of a senior deck officer as it relates to three (3) main functions; navigation, cargo handling and controlling the operation of the ship and care of persons on board.

Chief Engineer Officer & Second Engineer Officer

This programme is designed for marine engineer officers who want to upgrade their qualification to become a Second Engineer Officer and then Chief Engineer Officer on board merchant trading ships. The programme is offered part-time to facilitate officers who are already serving at sea and want to progress to a higher rank. Officers will focus on the responsibilities of a senior marine engineering officer as it relates to four (4) main functions; marine engineering; electrical, electronics and control engineering; maintenance and repair and controlling the operation of the ship and care of persons on board.

Assessment profile

Cadets are placed on a Merit List according to their performance in academics, discipline and physical fitness as shown in the table below.

The ranking allows the faculty to place cadets onboard ships according to their position on the Merit List, therefore, a cadet who is first on the List would be placed first.

Department of Professional Training and Certification

The Department of Professional Training and Certification is a semi-autonomous unit of the Caribbean Maritime University, established in June 2017. This Centre is tasked with providing training and certification in accordance with the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) as amended, and supports a core statutory function of the University, which is to advance education, training, and research with particular focus on the certification of seafarers for the benefit of the people of Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider international community. Governed by the rules and regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the MTC is subject to the direct governance of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) as outlined in Section 111 and 113 of the Shipping Act of Jamaica to ensure that all seafarers are trained in accordance with the international conventions outlining the international standard.

A deliberate strategy of the University is to position itself as the Simulation Centre of the Caribbean. CMU offers several simulation courses specifically tailored for the maritime and the shipping industries which are high in demand. Simulation offers virtual training and allows for advanced scientific, cost effective and safe working environment. Additionally, it provides flexibility and expose trainees multiple elements, working conditions and situations that could not normally be done in a traditional laboratory. For several years, the simulation technique has been used to deliver real-life training experiences in many disciplines across the globe. Simulation amplifies experiences with guided ones, to replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion.

Customised Industry Focused Short Courses