VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship Program (ages 18-29)
June 25 - July 24, 2026
Applications for the 2026 VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship Program are now open!
The Marine Apprenticeship Program though VIPCA’s 501(c)(3) educational non-profit arm, the Marine Rebuild Fund (MRF), aims to increase employment opportunities for Virgin Islanders in the marine industry through the creation of marine education, training, and development programs. The Marine Rebuild Fund raises funding year-round for the annual month-long intensive “VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship” which provides training in the marine industry to young adults from St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix in partnership with Cruz Bay Watersports. To date, nearly 100 Virgin Islanders have benefited from this program. The Marine Rebuild Fund is fiscally sponsored by Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
A: Nothing! The VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship Program is free to participants. The program is generously supported by a grant from the Island Foundation as well as through VIPCA’s 501c3 organization the Marine Rebuild Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI).
A: May 15, 2026.
A: The Marine Apprenticeship Program is an intensive program. It runs for just over 4 weeks. Sessions are held daily during the work week from roughly 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some days will start earlier and also end earlier depending on the activity.
A: Unfortunately, no. Full attendance and participation is required for the duration of the program.
A: Apply online through this form. Interviews will be held during the last two weeks of May. Applicants will be informed of results in early June.
A: Upon successful completion of the program certification requirements, you will receive your ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Certification, Boater’s Safety Course, and STCW.
A: Not directly as a result of this program; however, VIPCA will pay course fees and administrative fees for VIPCA Marine Apprentice Alumni to obtain their captain’s license once you meet the 360 days of sea service requirement. To be eligible for your USCG Captain’s License you must have a minimum of 360 days of sea service (i.e. days on the water) starting from your 16th birthday. Your time on the water during the apprenticeship program can count towards those days.
To be eligible for your USCG Captain’s License you must have a minimum of 360 days of sea service (i.e. days on the water). Sea service is a measure of a mariner’s lifetime experience on boats, whether recreational, commercial, or military. It may be counted from the day a mariner turns age 16 and accumulates over his or her lifetime. Only on vessels of less than 100 gross registered tons (GRT): Credit for a full day will only be given for service of 4 hours or more.
A day of sea service is any day that a mariner served upon a vessel in an assigned position in either the deck or engineering department of a vessel (not a passenger). The position may include duties such as: handling lines, being a lookout, steering the boat, and other navigational or propulsion functions
A: With certifications received through this program you could apply to work as a mate at numerous local charter companies. You can also explore options on the technical side with marine businesses.
A: Due to funding and operational constraints, there are 12 available spaces for the program each year.
VIPCA is recognized by the USVI Department of Labour (DOL) as an Eligible Training Provider, and the 12-month program is recognized by DOL as a Registered Apprenticeship. VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship is free for participants and includes:
- ASA 101 Basic Keelboat (certification) – 5 day sailing course at St Thomas Yacht Club
- First Aid and CPR (certification)
- Boating Safety (certification)
- STCW Basic Training (Standards of Training and Certification of Watch-keeping)
- Sail and power-boat operation with passengers including seamanship, upkeep and customer service
- Swimming
- SCUBA diving
- Navigation, Rules of the Road and other theory
- Marina and dock management
- Charter Vessel Maintenance and Charter Business Operation
- Technical overview of marine trades (diesel engines, outboards, electrical systems, plumbing, etc).
- Marine jobs in Government Agencies / US Coast Guard
A mentorship and scholarship program follows these apprentices to careers as captains and crew with VIPCA’s continued support of their careers being made successful in the Marine Industry.
Any student of the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship, after 360 days sea-time, could qualify to be a certified Operator of an Un-inspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) Captain. Continuation of training from the VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship can be fully funded with any graduate entering the 12-month paid work placement for accruement of sea time before being sponsored in sitting the Captains course.