State Rep. Donni Steele this week sent a letter to U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin urging immediate action to address the impact of the ongoing partial federal government shutdown on cadets at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City.

Steele said the shutdown has forced the closure of U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers that administer the licensing exams required for maritime academy cadets to graduate and begin their careers.

Under federal law, cadets at state maritime academies must pass their U.S. Coast Guard merchant marine officer license exams as a condition of graduation. The exams consist of seven modules administered over four days. While many cadets at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy completed their exams in January, roughly 20 cadets still need to begin or retake modules. If the exam centers remain closed, cadets in the academy’s Class of 2026 will be unable to receive their licenses and most will not receive their degrees.

“These cadets have completed an incredibly demanding four-year program, including 360 days of sea service and rigorous academic work,” said Steele (R-Orion Township). “Through no fault of their own, they are now at risk of losing the opportunity to graduate and begin careers that are critical to our nation’s maritime industry and national security.”

Steele noted that the maritime industry already faces a shortage of licensed mariners and that the Great Lakes Maritime Academy plays a unique role in preparing graduates to serve aboard vessels operating on the Great Lakes. In her letter, Steele urged federal leaders to restore essential Coast Guard exam functions immediately so cadets can obtain their licenses and begin contributing to the nation’s maritime workforce.

“We need these cadets,” Steele said. “They are ready to go to work, serve their country, and support industries that are vital to the Great Lakes region and the United States.”