NAMEPA and Los Angeles Maritime Institute Sign MOU to Advance Maritime Education

March 22, 2019- The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) and Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance education about the maritime industry, the marine environment and the impact the industry has on local communities. The MOU will expand the collaborative efforts of these organizations to educate youth about marine sciences, the marine industry, marine sciences, ocean literacy and advocate for job opportunities for youth throughout the industry.

Captain Bruce Heyman, Executive Director of LAMI says, “This partnership is a very logical extension of our TopSail Youth Program which has been educating young people for over 27 years. We offer an education and adventure experience aboard tall ships sailing the waters of the two largest ports in North America and the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California.”

“Our organizations share a common commitment to educating youth and the public about the maritime industry,” observed Carleen Lyden Walker, NAMEPA’s Co-Founder/Executive Director.  “NAMEPA is thrilled to establish this partnership with LAMI that will lead to increased public awareness about the maritime industry and activate youth to protect the marine environment in their daily life.”

About LAMI: The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st century leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths. Visit our website: www.lamitopsail.org

For more information, contact: Carleen Lyden Walker, Executive Director, NAMEPA / 203-255-4686 / executivedirector@namepa.net  or Alice Taylor, Director of Sales & Marketing, Los Angeles Maritime Institute/ 310.833.6055/ alice.taylor@lamitopsail.org