Merchant Marine Academies were established in 1998, as a continuation of the Merchant Marine Schools of Higher Education and are directed by the Ministry of Development, Competitiveness, and Shipping. The Merchant Marine Academy of Ionian Islands was established in 1966, in Argostoli, Kefallonia. The Academy is located 700 meters north of the Argostoli central square, in a seaside area of 4.000 sq
uare meters. There are lectures halls, a lot of laboratories (electrical, electronics, machinery workshops, computer labs, auxiliary machinery, navigation, communication, navigation electronic equipment, etc.), also an ARPA system simulator, a GMDSS simulator. Furthermore, there is a special lab for English language learning. The courses last for 4 years; that is 6 semesters of theoretical studies in the Academies and 2 semesters of rewarded vocational training on board ships. In this way the theoretical studies in the Academy interchange with training on board and the students are provided with high standard educational experiences and acquire specialized knowledge which corresponds to the most current technological developments. The graduates of the Academy are awarded a Certificate of Studies of Higher Education and the Diploma of the 3rd Officer of Merchant Marine.
