Gulf Coast Maritime Academy (USCG Approved Training Center for United States Mariners)
Gulf Coast Maritime Academy is the premier maritime training provider, located in Port Tampa. We offer a large range of courses for every aspect of the maritime industry. Our goal is to provide each student with a quality training experience at an affordable cost. Our courses are designed for full interaction with our students and to engage each one with a fulfilling and rewarding product.
Our courses include entry level Captain's Licenses such as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), Upgrade to both Master 100 GRT and Master 200 GRT. We also offer commercial and yachting crew training such as (STCW) Basic Safety Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, Vessel Security Officer, Able Seaman, Leadership courses, Crowd Control, and much much more!
Contact us today or go to our courses page to view our current range of courses. New courses are submitted each week to the National Maritime Center for approval so sign up for our monthly news letter for the latest course offerings, maritime news, maritime employment, and anything else maritime related!
STCW Training Centers
Gulf Coast Maritime Academy (USCG Approved Training Center for United States Mariners) have their training center located in Tampa, Florida, United States of America.
Terms and Conditions
View the training school's Terms and Conditions.
Customer Reviews
Gulf Coast Maritime Academy (USCG Approved Training Center for United States Mariners) reviews as published on Google:
Meagan Cutshall
Captain Chris is very patient and great at explaining concepts. Coming from a land locked state and learning about the boating/yachting industry, his teaching has been invaluable to me. I’m so grateful and appreciate of the value I got from his classes.
FullScale Outdoors
Capt Chris is phenomenal at his job as a teacher, his ability to instruct individuals and the group as a whole is as good as it gets. I live in MN and could’ve taken this course online but I’m extremely thankful I traveled to Tampa to take it in person. I cannot recommend this course highly enough!
Dan Floen
Captain Chris is a very thorough and entertaining instructor. A full week in his classroom went by very quickly and I feel very prepared to be a safe and responsible boat captain.
Thanks Chris!jose vazquez
Capt Chris Hayes and Gulf Coast Maritime Academy were a great experience and very knowledgeable. The education received for the OUPV, the Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 tons was first class. I would recommend Gulf Coast Maritime Academy for any and all your Maritime needs.
Edward O'Brien
Captain Chris and the team offer a top notch learning experience. I am an instructor and his OUPV program was engaging and on point for the duration of the course. If you are looking for quality instruction provided from a knowledgeable professional I highly recommend the Gulfcoast Maritime Academy team.
robert petrosino
Awesome experience great teacher very professional recommend this school highly to all
PPreston Harper
Chris was great and the price was right!
Uriah Fackler
what dose this school focus on.
Tampa Tico
Totally impressed with the entire experience from booking the class to finish. Chris is an awesome instructor who will go out of his way to help his students. Thanks to this school I’m now a Captain. Thanks again. - (James K.). Bay Area Boat & Ski Rentals LLC.
Manuel Portales
Amazing experience, every person who plan to drive a vessel need this course.
Thank you Captain Chris..... Great teacher.
Highly recommended.Austin Warren
Great School, Great Instructor. I had a wonderful experience attending Gulf Coast Maritme Academy. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is searching for a school to attend.
Jon Talha
Challenging, informative and fun. Chris simplified the process of getting my OUPV.
Derrick Glenn (TodayNew's)
Highly recommended you will NOT be disappointed. Captain Chris is one cool cat and a great teacher. The course is tough but he makes it easy to understand. If you're looking to get your Captain license (OUPV) 6-Pack and go elsewhere then fail dont blame me. Do it right the first time. Apply today!
Mark Bowen
Just completed my OUPV class with Capt Chris. Great facility, great instructor and i would highly recommend GCMA to anyone interested in a USCG license of any kind. Thanks again Capt Chris and GCMA! Great experience!
ryan hunter
Absolutely great teacher really cares about his students goes above and behond to make sure his students understand everything really takes time and this guy dedicates his life to his school and being above the rest look forward to taking more classes at gulf coast learned so much and very greatful to have such a fantastic instructor!
Giris Camacho
I researched for a while before selecting where to take the OUPV course. I am glad I selected Gulf Coast Maritime Academy and Captain Chris Hayes. He is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in real maritime world situations. His approach to the course material, course work and his students was spot on. If you really want to learn, not just pass the exam, I definitely recommend Capt C and the Gulf Coast Maritime Academy. Thank you Captain Chris!! Hope to be back later for the Master 200 Gross ton upgrade!!
joe diebold
Cpt Hayes is an exceptional instructor. Making sure all the students were well versed on the subject matter. His real world experience helped us to understand the class material. I highly recommend Gulf Coast Maritime Academy.
STCW Courses
- STCW Basic Safety Training (New Entrants)
- Basic Training (Original - 5 Day)
- Basic Training Refresher (3 Day)
- Basic Training Revalidation (1 Day)
- STCW Refresher
- Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher (2 Day)
- Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (1 Day)
- Firefighting
- Advanced Fire Fighting Refresher (2 Day)
- Advanced Fire Fighting Revalidation (1 Day)
- Advanced Fire Fighting (4 Day)