Northwestern Michigan College
One of the six US state maritime academies and the only freshwater maritime academy in the country, based at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. Cadets train for US Coast Guard licences through the Deck Officer and Engineering Officer programmes, or take the Power Systems programme, combining classroom work with sea projects aboard training and commercial vessels on the Great Lakes and oceans. The academy runs a US Naval Reserve and Merchant Marine option, continuing education for working mariners, and an annual Women on the Water conference.