San Diego-based training provider Maritime Institute announced Nov. 4 that it’s acquiring Edmonds, Wash.-based based Compass Courses. The acquisition is expected to close by Dec. 1, and training programs are anticipated to begin in Edmonds next month.
Compass Courses provides training to mariners throughout the Pacific Northwest, providing service to the commercial fishing, cargo and passenger transportation industries that drive the regional economy.
“Compass Courses has an outstanding reputation as a training provider that really cares about their mariners,” Maritime Institute CEO Dave Abrams said. “Adding Compass Courses facilities, staff and great instructional team to our organization will allow us to expand training opportunities for mariners in the Pacific Northwest region.”
“We are thrilled to have the Compass Courses team onboard, and I am honored that Julie (Keim, the owner and founder of Compass Courses) has entrusted me with carrying on the Compass Courses legacy,” he added.
Keim remarked that the professional maritime industry is transforming at a rapid pace and that maritime training needs to transform along with it.
“Compass Courses has been a respected leader in the maritime training industry since 2001,” she said. “I am pleased to announce that I have found a company that shares my passion for putting the mariner first, while taking care of the instructors that are so dedicated to sharing their knowledge with new mariners.”
“This acquisition will allow Compass Courses to continue to be a leader that drives value in our region and helps tackle the mariner shortage across the globe,” she added. “We are very proud to be joining forces with Maritime Institute. Their facilities and instructors are first class, and I know they will take great care of our students. As I retire, I can’t think of a better company to fill that void. We welcome Maritime Institute to Edmonds, and I look forward to watching Maritime Institute continue to expand their mariner training opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.”
Terms of this asset based transaction were not disclosed. The December class schedule is expected to be available soon on the Compass Courses website.
(Disclosure: Maritime Institute is the parent of Maritime Publishing, which produces Pacific Maritime Magazine.