The Great Lakes Maritime Academy at Northwestern Michigan College is located on West Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The academy was established in 1969 to train men and women to be licensed mariners on ships of unlimited tonnage or horsepower; including research vessels, cruise ships, freighters, tankers and more. One of only seven maritime academies in the United States, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy is unique in that it is the only freshwater maritime academy. In addition, it is the only maritime academy in the United States that offers graduates the opportunity to obtain licensing on both the Great Lakes and the oceans along with an additional credential of First Class Great Lakes Pilot. - Source: Wikipedia