Background Information

❖Mission:

To focus on all aspects of the maritime environment including research, protection and utilisation, with our initial priority being the facilitation of resources and pathways for Bermudians seeking to pursue maritime careers – from high performance sailing to commercial opportunities.

❖Vision:

To facilitate the promotion, economic appreciation, conservation and protection of Bermuda’s marine environment by; (1) fostering new and advancement of marine careers, and (2) revitalising the appreciation, learning and opportunities within Bermuda’s maritime industry and activity.

1)Develop pathways for Bermudians seeking and advancing their Maritime careers;

2)Identify and develop strategic partnerships, both locally and internationally, to coordinate existing and future resources and opportunities;

3)Develop pathways for Bermudians seeking to pursue international high performance sailing careers;

4)Promote coordination, protection, knowledge, research and conservation of Bermuda’s Marine environment;

5)Facilitate improved efficiency and donor fund efficiency of Maritime charitable organisations.

Develop pathways for Bermudians seeking and advancing their maritime careers

The first part of BMA’s strategy focuses on broadening the delivery of specific maritime training courses, built on international standards and requirements. Some of these courses will be a legal requirement for commercial boat owners within the current year and yet, currently there is no facility for attending such courses in Bermuda.

The education element of the Maritime Academy is our first priority, and one of five core areas of focus.

The courses are designed for:

  –  new entrants seeking professional careers in maritime services,

  –  existing maritime professionals (Marine & Ports staff), and

  –  Commercial leisure boat owners and operators

The Hon. Michael J. Winfield, MBE, JP, served as the CEO and Director of the America’s Cup Bermuda. Mr. Winfield is a tourism industry veteran, starting his career at the Southampton Princess and eventually retiring in 2012 as the President and CEO of Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa. Mr. Winfield served as a Minister and Senator under the United Bermuda Party where he held several portfolios. He successfully led the Bermuda bid team to host the 35thAmerica’s Cup.

Mario Thompson is the Pilot Warden at the Bermuda Department of Marine & Ports Services. Mr. Thompson is active in helping young Bermudians to enter careers on the sea. For Pilot Warden Mario Thompson, “coaching and mentoring young seafarers through Marine and Ports is a chance to reconnect Bermudians with their maritime heritage.”

Alan E Burland, MBE, represented Bermuda in sailing at 1984 Olympic Games. Government of Bermuda Athlete of the Year 1985. Recognized by HRH Queen Elizabeth in 2011 and 2017 for service to the community. Co-Founder Bermuda Sloop Foundation 1998. Mr. Burland is a
civil engineer (MBE, P.Eng,) with extensive experience in commercial construction, development, renewable energy, sustainability. He has also served on numerous Government Boards and Committees.

The Current Board of Directors of Bermuda Maritime Academy are:

• Alan Burland (Vice Chair)
• Angelique Burgess
• Victoria Greening
• Preston Hutchings
• Francis Richardson
• Henrik Schroeder (Tresasurer)
• Mario Thompson
• Michael Winfield (Chair)

Based on its geographic and strategic location, Bermuda has a unique and rich history associated with maritime activities. Now is the time to build on this legacy, to create an accredited learning environment around the maritime professions.

Here are some anecdotal points of reference:

❖Awareness – Maritime careers are not optimally promoted/prioritised/recognised as opportunities for individual and community wealth, sustainability and growth.  Courses offered are not in line with international standards, and not scheduled and consistently offered.

❖Fragmentation – Maritime activity is concentrated among numerous organisations and groups for their own specific uses and objectives with limited collaboration and coordination.

❖Evidentiary – AC35 demonstrated the interest in and the benefits to Bermuda of executing a focused, collaborative and coordinated approach to developing maritime opportunities that can be capitalised and sustained. Since the America’s Cup, the interest in maritime activities and careers has increased. Sail GP has evidenced this renewed interest.

❖Opportunity – There is a worldwide shortage of English-speaking commercial mariners.

To create sustainable education and employment opportunities for Bermudians, it starts with courses, licenses and accreditation standards:

• Professional Training for Bermudian entrants and incumbents
• Providing the resources for accomplishing International accreditation and certification based on:
  • Int’l Convention  on Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers (“STCW”)
  • Int’l Maritime Organization (“IMO”)
  • Royal Yachting Association (“RYA”)
  • International Certificate of Competency (“ICC”)
• Creation and Implementation of local infrastructure to achieve Int’l Accreditation and Certification in Bermuda:
  • The Bermuda Shipping & Maritime Authority (BSMA) supports initiatives for this achievement as it expands its mandate as a regulatory body to include business and economic development within Bermuda’s maritime industry.
  • They will be spearheading efforts to introduce new marine legislation that will impact both commercial and leisure boating regulations.
  • International legislation is also forcing change to Bermuda’s marine infrastructure and the way we govern and regulate Bermuda’s waters. New Triple I Code requires seamen to re-certify starting in 2020.

• Coordination and implementation of a seamless pathway for Bermudian students for education and career opportunities at:

  • Lower Primary Levels – Ancillary educators for further education of Bermuda’s Maritime history (e.g. BEN)

  • Upper Primary + Secondary Levels – Marine excursions and expeditions (e.g. Endeavour + Bermuda Sloop)

  • Secondary + Post-Secondary – Marine excursions, expeditions and employment (e.g. Bermuda Sloop)

  • Young Adult + Career Advancement – Expeditionary Learning (e.g. eleducation.org)

• Create and Maintain the “Bermuda Standard” for Marine Safety + Skills for Local Commercial + Recreational Operators

❖Late in 2021, the Maritime Academy realised the scope of requirements to satisfy the Maritime Coast Guard Agency of the UK (MCA) was considerable and decided experienced help would be required.

❖ After an extensive search, principals of the Maritime Academy reached out and established contact with Mr. Alfie Hincks, Principal and Founder of Seascope Maritime Training of Liverpool and France.

❖ Seascope Maritime Training has been in operation since 2004 in the UK offering a range of STCW training courses to the highest maritime standards.  Seascope holds accreditation from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (MCA) under the UK Department of Transport.

❖ The team at Seascope was set up by Alfie Hincks, when he decided to leave his own career at sea and dedicate his life to teaching safety courses to Seafarers. 

❖ Seascope has gained a solid reputation as a professional and dedicated training provider and the school in Liverpool became one of the most popular in northern England, providing training over the years to thousands of Seafarers from the commercial shipping sector. Alfie Hincks latter opened their second training facility in the South of France, located in the centre of the old town of Antibes.  

❖ The Maritime Academy signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Seascope in February 2022. Seascope have assisted the Maritime Academy in getting MCA certification. They will also provide trainers, assist in training Bermuda trainers and work with the Maritime Academy to identify and deliver needed additional maritime training in Bermuda through the Academy.

1)STCW Training + Certification:  3rd Quarter 2022

➢Enabling Bermudians to embark on careers aboard commercial vessels;

➢Establishing core facilities and leadership to provide STCW training and certification based in Bermuda

➢Satisfying the demand created by international Regulations for all commercial boat operators to be certified

➢Offering Recertification

2)  Other International Marine Courses: 2023

➢Triple I Code for 2020 Seamen Recertification

➢Offshore sea survival (Required by many international yacht races)

3)Leisure Boat Operators:  Subject of discussion with Ministry of Transport

➢Respond to clear and manifest need to provide basic knowledge and instruction to those seeking to operate marine vessels on Bermuda’s waters.  Work with local providers of marine insurance to provide incentives

4)Local Commercial Boat Operators:  2023

➢Offer STCW courses to all who need certification

➢Provide courses as dictated by Marine & Ports, including new categorisation. Effectively replaces the A B and C Pilots licenses

• The Bermuda Maritime Academy is a NOT FOR PROFIT, locally registered company.

  To date, all funding has been provided by our Founding Sponsor members:

• Alan Burland
• Jim Butterfield
• Schroder Family
• Preston Hutchings

When courses are offered, participants will be charged and revenues raised, over and above the costs of providing the courses will go towards realisation of other Academy objectives.

• Discussing further maritime education needs with Ministry of Transport, Department of Marine & Ports, Bermuda Coast Guard and other related entities with a view to evolving additional maritime focused educational/training opportunities.
• Promoting appreciation of Bermuda’s maritime environment and welcome the opportunity to support and provide internationally recognised maritime education in Bermuda, and to increase career opportunities in these fields to Bermudians and others, for generations to come. Recognising the need for Bermuda to diversify its career offerings, provide information and focus on maritime pursuits.
• Exploring avenues to make Bermuda’s waters, cleaner, safer and better utilised by fostering marine research, promoting marine environmental initiatives, and lobby for safety focused regulation and legislation, providing leisure boat operators with education, instruction and awareness.
• Establishing and promoting opportunities for Bermudian sailors to pursue high performance (Olympics, America’s Cup, Sail GP, etc) sailing careers.
• Working with other Bermuda marine related charities to assist, where possible, a collective approach to core goals and assist in improving efficiency for sponsor dollars.