Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies (MITAGS) and Pacific Maritime Institute, Seattle (USA) announced that MITAGS would host a national conference for national consensus on mariner recruitment and retention at its Linthicum Heights campus on May 1 and May 2, 2002. The American Merchant Marine has been impacted by a critical loss of professional mariners in recent years. The aim of this conference is to build a national consensus and plan that will project a positive image of mariners and create an appreciative awareness of the maritime industry.

The conference will bring together representatives from the blue water, brown water, and inland markets that will assist in developing a national strategy for the recruitment and retention of potential candidates and operating professional mariners.

Since last year’s Maritime Careers conference six working groups were formed to review the areas of Public Education and Awareness, Regulatory Burden/STCW-95 Training, criminal liability, Maritime Policy, Lifestyle/Quality of Life, and, Recruitment and Career Path. These working groups will review these issues at the MITAGS conference. Additionally, Secretary Norman Mineta, Department of Transportation, has agreed to be the National Advisor to the White House.