The new Algoma Central Corporation Marine Emergency Duties (MED) Centre was officially opened today at the Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College.

The $7.5 million, 13,600-square-foot facility is a key part of the college's renowned Centre for Marine Training and Research. It will be used extensively by students enrolled in Georgian's postsecondary marine programs as well as by working mariners who require certification or refresher training.

MED training is mandatory for anyone who works on a ship in Canada. After several years without a marine emergency duties training facility in Ontario, mariners will no longer need to travel to Canada's east or west coasts to obtain this certification. Life-saving training includes firefighting, survival craft, life raft and immersion suit training, as well as first aid. The location of the centre at Georgian College confirms the Owen Sound Campus as a premier facility for professional marine education.

The Government of Canada provided $1.96 million through the Small Communities Fund for the project, and the Province of Ontario also contributed $1.96 million to this project.

Grey County Council was the first to pledge financial support, in the amount of $2 million, recognizing in part the significant economic importance to the region.

Several marine industry leaders – who will train their work force at the centre – made substantial donations to help ensure the facility would become a reality. The centre is named for Algoma Central Corporation, which became the largest private donor to the project with its donation of $1 million. The common area in the centre is named in recognition of Lower Lakes Towing LTD., which also made a generous donation of $500,000.

Georgian offers two full-time postsecondary marine co-op programs – a two-year diploma in Marine Engineering Technician and a three-year advanced diploma in Marine Technology-Navigation. A one-year graduate certificate in Marine Engineering Management is offered for those seeking advanced training in the marine industry.

The Centre for Marine Training and Research also provides training for working mariners, with 2,400 course registrations in the past year alone.

For more information on marine emergency duties training at Georgian, visit marinetraining.ca. To learn about marine diploma and graduate certificate programs, go to GeorgianCollege.ca/marinestudies.