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The Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College is located on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The academy was established in 1969 to train men and women to be licensed mariners on ships of unlimited tonnage or horsepower; including research vessels, cruise ships, freighters, tankers and more. One of only seven maritime academies in the United States, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is unique in that it is the only freshwater maritime academy. In addition, it is the only maritime academy in the United States that offers graduates the opportunity to obtain licensing on both the Great Lakes and the oceans along with an additional credential of First Class Great Lakes Pilot.
The academy is located in Traverse City, Michigan, on Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan.
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy was established in 1969 to provide education and training to those wanting a career in the merchant marine. The academy trains mates (pilots), and maritime engineers. The summer of 2002 brought the arrival of the 224-foot (68Â m) training ship, a former Navy vessel, now named the T/S State of Michigan. The academy moved into the new facility late fall of 2003.