14 June 2025 
Total Rating: 0 
Captain School Miami is a premier USCG-approved yacht crew training and certification center located in Coconut Grove, Miami. Founded and operated by Dr. Mark and Captain Kim Woods, the school brings decades of maritime experience and education to the South Florida yachting community. Their mission, “Mentoring the Modern Mariner,” reflects their dedication to serving military, commercial, and recreational mariners at every stage of their professional journey.
Captain School Miami originally launched in 2013 as Captain School Key West after Dr. Mark Woods retired from his position as Program Director of Marine Engineering at Florida Keys Community College. In 2020, the school expanded to Miami, partnering with the City of Miami Fire Department Fire College to bring its unique hands-on learning platform to Coconut Grove. Today, the Miami campus operates at 3425 Jefferson Street, offering convenient access to one of the nation’s busiest yachting hubs.
Dr. Mark Woods, a retired Navy Diver and Nuclear Engineer, has operated dive charter businesses since 1985 across multiple locations including Idaho Falls, Guam, Washington State, South Carolina, Chicago, and the Florida Keys. Holding a PhD in Adult Education and a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching with Technology, Dr. Mark combines technical expertise with educational leadership to create an effective and supportive learning environment for all students.
Captain Kim Woods, a Network Engineer and owner of Teal Technologies, Inc., became a licensed captain in 2007 and currently holds a 200GT Near Coastal License. Living in the Florida Keys since 2001, she brings both technical and operational insights to the training programs.
Captain School Miami offers a full spectrum of professional maritime courses. Students can pursue their 6-pack (OUPV) license, Master licenses up to 200/500GT, STCW Basic Safety Training, STCW revalidation, Celestial Navigation, MROP, GMDSS, CPR/First Aid/AED, Security, and specialized endorsements like Sail and Tow. Uniquely, Captain School Miami offers a one-of-a-kind Immersion Course aboard large sailing catamarans or motor yachts, where students gain their license while acting as crew on live voyages.
The school’s training formats include traditional classroom instruction, on-the-water practical training, online learning, or blended options customized to student needs. Captain School Miami is also one of the few schools where students test with live, local charts and navigational publications, ensuring that training reflects real-world maritime conditions.
In addition to private mariner training, Captain School Miami also provides specialized professional training for government and defense agencies, including Navy SWIC, Army Special Forces, FBI Hostage Recovery Teams, National Parks, ATMO, and Metson Marine Services Group, among others.
With its rich blend of technical expertise, hands-on experience, and personalized instruction, Captain School Miami continues to serve as one of the most trusted names in yacht crew training and certification in Miami and beyond.
Description
Captain School Miami is a premier USCG-approved yacht crew training and certification center located in Coconut Grove, Miami. Founded and operated by Dr. Mark and Captain Kim Woods, the school brings decades of maritime experience and education to the South Florida yachting community. Their mission, “Mentoring the Modern Mariner,” reflects their dedication to serving military, commercial, and recreational mariners at every stage of their professional journey.
Captain School Miami originally launched in 2013 as Captain School Key West after Dr. Mark Woods retired from his position as Program Director of Marine Engineering at Florida Keys Community College. In 2020, the school expanded to Miami, partnering with the City of Miami Fire Department Fire College to bring its unique hands-on learning platform to Coconut Grove. Today, the Miami campus operates at 3425 Jefferson Street, offering convenient access to one of the nation's busiest yachting hubs.
Dr. Mark Woods, a retired Navy Diver and Nuclear Engineer, has operated dive charter businesses since 1985 across multiple locations including Idaho Falls, Guam, Washington State, South Carolina, Chicago, and the Florida Keys. Holding a PhD in Adult Education and a Master's degree in Learning and Teaching with Technology, Dr. Mark combines technical expertise with educational leadership to create an effective and supportive learning environment for all students.
Captain Kim Woods, a Network Engineer and owner of Teal Technologies, Inc., became a licensed captain in 2007 and currently holds a 200GT Near Coastal License. Living in the Florida Keys since 2001, she brings both technical and operational insights to the training programs.
Captain School Miami offers a full spectrum of professional maritime courses. Students can pursue their 6-pack (OUPV) license, Master licenses up to 200/500GT, STCW Basic Safety Training, STCW revalidation, Celestial Navigation, MROP, GMDSS, CPR/First Aid/AED, Security, and specialized endorsements like Sail and Tow. Uniquely, Captain School Miami offers a one-of-a-kind Immersion Course aboard large sailing catamarans or motor yachts, where students gain their license while acting as crew on live voyages.
The school’s training formats include traditional classroom instruction, on-the-water practical training, online learning, or blended options customized to student needs. Captain School Miami is also one of the few schools where students test with live, local charts and navigational publications, ensuring that training reflects real-world maritime conditions.
In addition to private mariner training, Captain School Miami also provides specialized professional training for government and defense agencies, including Navy SWIC, Army Special Forces, FBI Hostage Recovery Teams, National Parks, ATMO, and Metson Marine Services Group, among others.
With its rich blend of technical expertise, hands-on experience, and personalized instruction, Captain School Miami continues to serve as one of the most trusted names in yacht crew training and certification in Miami and beyond.
Location
Contact Information
Author Info
Contact Listings Owner Form
Review
Write a ReviewThere are no reviews yet.
Leave a Review
