The Birth and Evolution of the Caribbean Maritime Institute(CMI) The History The idea of establishing a merchant training school in Jamaica originated in no ordinary manner. It was born out of the Jamaica Merchant Marine (JMM) fleet of five ships. The intention was that Jamaican nationals should be trained to fill all positions on board these vessels. In 1979, a joint committee of Jamaica and Norway agreed to conduct a feasibility study of the establishment of a merchant marine training school in Jamaica. An evaluation by the Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD) resulted in the selection of the Ship Research Institute of Norway and Shipdeco A/S to conduct the initial study. Mr. Eric Solum, Chief Research Engineer in the Ship Research Institute of Norway spearheaded this venture. He visited Jamaica in November 1979 to meet with the relevant public and private sector interests. Mr. Solum presided over the feasibility study, the results of which were presented on February 15, 1980. Satisfied with the results, the government of Jamaica and the Kingdom of Norway proceeded to establish the school in September 1980. The Institute was temporarily harboured at 9 Norman Road, Kingston and operated with a full time Norwegian staff of five lecturers and other positions filled with available and qualified Jamaicans. At birth, the school was named Jamaica Maritime Training Institute (JMTI), a name that was felt to showcase the potential of the Institute in relation to Jamaica. From the outset, the JMTI taught two courses which resulted in the Merchant Certificate Class three (3) graduating as Deck and Engineering Officers. The training corresponded with the Norwegian and British Systems of training seafarers, and was well above the minimum requirements set out in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) Seafarers Training Certification Watchkeeping (STWC). To maintain the high standards, invigilators for IMCO (later IMO) were invited to monitor the exams. This was done to convince the Maritime World that JMTI was fully up to international standards and operated in accordance with international requirements. The feasibility studies envisaged further studies to Class 2 and 1 Certificates, which would qualify Jamaicans to fill all positions at JMTI. The cry went out for “able bodied seamen” for the Jamaica Merchant Marine (JMM) and several short courses were run for three months in conjunction with the cry. This was done to train personnel selected by the JMM. After sometime, the JMM broadened its horizons and allowed the firefighting and general safety training components to be made available to other organizations, notably the Air Jamaica Flight Crews. In the interim, a search for a new, convenient, suitable and more permanent location was in progress. Fortunately for the individuals involved in this venture, the search didn’t prove to be a futile one, and the location found was at the Palisadoes Park. Initially 20,000 square feet floor space in several buildings was allotted to the JMM, and by May 1984, the Jamaica Maritime Training Institute (JMTI), was fully housed. The institute was officially introduced to the world in June 1984 via the first graduation of the Class Four Officers. Representatives of Government were present to mark this auspicious occasion. Chief among these were The Governor General who at that time was His Excellency Sir Florizel Glasspole and also Mrs. Reidun Brusletten, the Honourable Minister for the Norwegian Agency for International Development. By November 1979, Mr. Eric Solum, who was instrumental in the establishment of the JMTI, handed over the management of the project to the then Director of the JMTI, Captain Ola Storruste. Jamaica Maritime Institute (JMI) By 1992, the Institute was fully Jamaicanized and was renamed the “Jamaica Maritime Institute” and was headed by LCdr. Michael Rodriguez, the first Jamaican born Director of the Institute. The Institute continued to progress and by January 1993, it became an autonomous body under the laws of Jamaica and within the Ministry of Water, Housing and Transport in accordance with the JMI Act of 1992. The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) came on stream and became legal partners of the Institute. The original trust of the Institute was to train professional seafarers mainly from Jamaica to man the now defunct Jamaica Merchant Marine fleet of five ships. The Expansion By 2001, the Institute had a craving for a more international menu, one with a more international flavour as well as content and stature. This mindset saw the Institute changing its name from the Jamaica Maritime Institute to the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI). To be consistent with the name change, the CMI has established satellites, in other Caribbean areas for the dissemination and delivery of its programmes. Today, the Institute remains and functions as a citadel of maritime education and training in the region. The Re-branding of the CMI The CMI’s new mandate, mission and vision consists in creating a “Blue Ocean Strategy” that challenges the Institute to break out of the prevailing Red Ocean of bloody competition by exploring and exploiting uncontested market space that makes the competition irrelevant. The CMI will henceforth focus on the growing demand for qualified seafarers, and break away from unnecessary competition with traditional tertiary institutions. The Institute will seek to expand beyond the maritime industry and cut across the multi-modal transportation and logistics chain. It is our objective to establish partnerships with other related tertiary institutions such as the Art Williams & Henry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School in Guyana from which we can launch into providing training for commercial airlines. After twenty six years of existence, the CMI redefines toe boundaries of tertiary education through innovation and global strategies. Vision Producing industry ready leaders through borderless strategic partnerships, research and application. Mission Our mission is to provide solutions through the application of the knowledge, talents and skills of our TEAM in continuously redefining the boundaries of tertiary education and training through innovation. Tag Line Re-defining Maritime excellence through innovation! First Steps ……To a new Career A serious question for anyone undertaking a course of study at the Institute is “Where will it take me?” “Will I be able to obtain a good job after graduation?” When one thinks of the Caribbean Maritime Institute, one need not worry about questions such as these. Here at the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), there is a strong emphasis on students being well equipped to enter a tough and dynamic job market. CMI students have successfully entered an exciting range of employment and training opportunities. The past ten years have been difficult ones in the economy; however our students continue to have a good record in gaining employment. Employers today are hungry for both relevant professional and technical skills. In keeping with this hunger, we believe that any student who undertakes a course at CMI will be in an advantageous position when it comes to applications or placement. Our belief resonates in the fact that the broad range of subjects as well as the practical experience leaves you well equipped for finding a suitable job after graduation. Further Steps…… Life after Graduation The CMI receives many success stories from time to time from alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions. Many of our graduates hold key positions in maritime education as Supervisors in organizations or as Lecturers. Others hold more senior positions such as Directors, General Managers, and Administrators in maritime authorities/ administration and port and shipping economies. What Makes CMI Unique The Caribbean Maritime Institute is the ONLY “white listed maritime centre of excellence in the English speaking Caribbean. We are the ONLY Institution offering industry ready programmes for the Shipping, Logistics and supply chain management sector. The market driven nature of our programmes, guarantee almost immediate employment. Our new mandate, mission and vision consist in the creation of a “Blue Ocean Strategy” that challenges us to break out of the prevailing Red Ocean of bloody competition by exploring and exploiting uncontested market space that makes the competition unique. One would prefer the CMI to other tertiary Institutions because: We focus on relevance as opposed to maintaining tradition. Our courses are not traditional and faculty based. We train industry graduates. We are a business that only happens to be a school. Further Steps…… Life after Graduation The CMI receives many success stories from time to time from alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions. Many of our graduates hold key positions in maritime education as Supervisors in organizations or as Lecturers. Others hold more senior positions such as Directors, General Managers, and Administrators in maritime authorities/ administration and port and shipping economies. Seafaring as a Career Seagoing is a career which holds enormous appeal. It offers opportunities for seeing the world and it pays well. The crews of modern ships are comfortably accommodating and well fed. They enjoy generous leave, and no longer have to wait until their vessel returns home before they can see their families again.