(FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.) — Maritime Professional Training (MPT) announced it recently graduated Capt. Roberto Beretta, who is the recipient of the first Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) master (yachts) unlimited license. Beretta is the first in the world to achieve this certification, which he attained through MPT’s superyacht-specific assessment for captains wishing to gain their unlimited license from the RMI maritime administrator.
“Captain Beretta is among the most elite captains and professional mariners in the industry,” said Amy Morley, academic principal and vice president of regulatory compliance, MPT. “He is the first and only to have attained this esteemed certification by the RMI maritime administrator through our unique assessment. He is a role model for our industry and aspiring professional mariners worldwide. We are proud of his exemplary efforts and congratulate him on this milestone and achievement.”
According to Beretta, “the Master of Yachts Unlimited Tonnage – Marshall Islands Capstone Course was much more comprehensive than I had expected. I had trained and studied for over six months prior to attempting the capstone course and assessments, and the hard work paid off. I encourage other qualified yacht captains to pursue their unlimited license through MPT’s program and achieve their next level of certification as I have.”
Officially launched in January 2015, the Master of Yachts Unlimited Tonnage – Marshall Islands Capstone Assessment at MPT provides duly qualified and trained yacht captains a full STCW certificate of competency (CoC) issued by the RMI maritime administrator, allowing certified captains to command yachts over 3,000 gross tons. This five-day assessment and simulation, held at MPT’s Fort Lauderdale campus, is designed to be the “capstone assessment” undertaken after all of the required sea service and training has been completed. Upon successful graduation they may apply for the RMI CoC raise in grade to master (yachts) unlimited.
“This assessment, in partnership with MPT, was designed to address the specific issue of yacht captains having to leave the yachting industry to obtain this type of certification,” said Capt. John Hafner, vice president, Seafarers’ Manning & Training at International Registries Inc. (IRI), who provides administrative and technical support to the RMI Registry. “The successful assessment completion and receipt of an RMI license eliminates the glass ceiling (of 3,000 gross tons or more) for Capt. Beretta; we look forward to his continued success and wish him the best of luck in his career."
The Master of Yachts Unlimited Tonnage – Marshall Islands Capstone Assessment is only available to those captains who meet the 14 outlined prerequisites, including relevant sea time, all of which have been based on the STCW requirements for captains gaining their commercial unlimited license without the reference to cargo, and focuses on RMI maritime law. All candidates must be approved by the RMI prior to taking this assessment. The approval letter must be provided to MPT at the time of enrollment. A complete listing of all requirements that must be met in order to register for and take part in the assessment can be found on the MPT website or by clicking here.
