Broward College students enrolled in the Marine Engineering Management Program are at the helm of a rare donation thanks to the business relations of a local maritime travel industry leader.

Tim Davey, president of Global Marine Travel, has brought the owner of a 24-foot boat together with Broward College to give students a rare subject to learn from that will enhance their course navigation in the marine program’s curriculum. The donation came about when the vessel’s owner, a client of Global Marine Travel, mentioned to Davey that he was seeking a worthy purpose for the tender that he planned to replace. The Northstar, a 3,000 lb. vessel valued at $30,000, was built in Turkey four years ago.

Since Northstar’s arrival at Broward College, students have stripped the vessel and engine completely, added new parts and have embarked in various exercises focusing on safety, maintenance and repair.

The Broward College Marine Engineering Management Associate In Science Degree is designed to prepare students interested in a career in the large yacht maintenance, repair and retrofit industry. Broward County is recognized as a world leader in the yacht industry and is in high demand of qualified technicians to work on yachts with diesel engines and sophisticated sustainable systems. Graduates of the program may be employed by the industry to work on multi-million dollar vessels and the latest technology in marine equipment. The career path may also include being part of the on-board crew and traveling around the world.

“The donation is an important component to the education of future marine technicians at Broward College,” said Davey. “ It not only provides students with a boat they can actually work from as part of the program but it will give these future marine technicians the high level of expertise sought for by the marine industry and mega yacht owners.”

Global Marine Travel (GMT), based in Fort Lauderdale, serves a niche within the travel and marine industry. This full 24-hour operation caters to private mega yacht communities, cruise line passengers and crews, concession companies who supply staff to cruise lines, and cargo/tanker liners. By working with airlines to negotiate low one-way fares with favorable terms and conditions GMT assists maritime clients in moving around the globe economically and efficiently. Log on to www.flygmt.com for more information.

From left to right BC employees; Dan Jones, Associate Dean, Tim D., Jorge Guerra, Dean of Automotive and Marine, Charles Harper, Marine instructor and David Goldman, marine instructor.