Marine training centre in Summerside to get $500K upgrade

The Marine Training Centre in Summerside is getting a $495,000 upgrade thanks to ACOA's Business Development Program.

The centre, part of Holland College, has been teaching specialized marine navigation courses including Master Mariner and Chief Engineer for four decades with the help of advanced simulation facilities. More than 1,000 students use the facilities every year.

• P.E.I. looks to grow marine industry at conference

• Marine technology companies being attracted to P.E.I.

The money will help the centre buy and install a state-of-the-art bridge simulator.

"These upgrades will help the Marine Training Centre continue to be a leading institution," said Egmont MP Bobby Morrissey in a written release Tuesday.

"We are proud to have this long-established and widely-respected program based in Summerside. Students come from across Canada and outside the country to receive high-quality training in a technologically demanding industry."

The federal minister responsible for ACOA, Navdeep Bains, noted the centre's graduates go on to participate in fishing and aquaculture, defence and government, as well as the tidal, wind and oil industries.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS IP.E.I. halibut farm reels in $850K in government funding
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS I Beaver trouble?You're on your own