ARPA funds pay for Merchant Marine Credential application

Jason Palacios from the Office of the Governor and Capt. David Johansen award Jason Tenorio, second from left, with payment and a certificate for completing his Merchant Marine Credential application process. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Western Pacific Maritime Academy announced over the weekend that Jason Tenorio is the first candidate to received payment for his Merchant Marine Credential application using American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grant funds.

Jason Palacios from the Office of the Governor and Capt. David Johansen awarded Tenorio with payment and a certificate for completing his MMC application process.

“Thanks to the governor for awarding Western Pacific Maritime Academy some ARPA funds so that I can get my MMC to work on ships and support my family,” said Tenorio.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres awarded WPMA a $10,000 grant using ARPA funds, for workforce development. WPMA assists men and women from the CNMI with 100% of the costs for their MMC application using APRA grant funds.

The MMC application process consists of getting a Transportation Workers Identification Card, a U.S. Coast Guard Medical Examination, a U.S. Department of Transportation drug test, and other documentation for processing the application. The costs of applying for an MMC is approximately $600. The ARPA grant funds will pay for about 20 MMC applications.

WPMA is a non-profit corporation located right here on Saipan with its maritime offices and classrooms located at Northern Marianas Technical Institute in Lower Base. The academy will be offering a full suite of USCG-approved maritime courses and services to the seafaring public. Included in its offerings are free seminars to the public on how to obtain an MMC.

WPMA’s workforce development program steers candidates into high-paying jobs in the maritime sector as entry level credentialed professional mariners as deck seamen, engineers or members of the catering department. An entry-level seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine can earn upwards of $5,000 per month through one of a number of Maritime Unions or Military Sealift Command. In the wake of COVID-19, the maritime sector is experiencing a huge demand for credentialed mariners.

WPMA offers several programs to the CNMI public: An approved Public School System high school maritime vocational track offered at Kagman High School as a pilot program, The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, a youth program offering regimented seamanship experiences to kids ages 10 to 18, Saipan Sailing School offering American Sailing Association certified courses and sailing experiences and charters, its maritime education program offering USCG-accredited courses to the public, and free boating safety consultation and inspections to CNMI boat owners and operators.

For further information on our programs, or information on how to apply for an MMC, contact Selina Taitano at staitano@wpma.net. (PR)