Maritime License Center is becoming part of Training Resources Maritime Institute (TRLMI), one of the biggest privately held providers of maritime training in the Western U.S.
San Diego-based TRLMI on Thursday announced that it plans to acquire the Honolulu-based organization and begin training programs in Hawaii in January.
Acquiring the Maritime License Center facilities will allow TRLMI to serve the certified US Coast Guard training needs for the maritime community in Hawaii, TRLMI CEO Dave Abrams said.
“We hope to significantly expand the number of courses that are offered to mariners in Hawaii and the western Pacific,” Abrams said.
Abrams has hired Captain Harry Sprague, formerly with the local Marimed Foundation, to oversee the Hawaii operations.
“It is important for us to have local connections to the maritime community and we hope to hire more local mariners as we grow our business in Hawaii,” Abrams explained.
Maritime License Center, Inc. President Chuck Howard said the company is proud to join forces with TRLMI.
“Their facilities and instructors are first class and I know they will take great care of our students,” Howard said. “As I retire, I can’t think of a better company to fill that void.”
The transaction is expected to be finalized by Dec. 1. TRLMI has said that it plans to have a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony at the training facility before classes commence in January.
(Full disclosure: Dave Abrams is also the publisher of Pacific Maritime Magazine.)
