The Marine Trades Association of New Jersey Foundation awarded scholarships to three students pursuing careers in the marine industry.

The foundation was established to help promote boating safety and education. More recently it has been raising funds for a scholarship program to encourage education in the marine trades. It raised $2,000 during the first year and awarded scholarships to two students.

A $1,500 scholarship was awarded to Robert J. Richman Jr. of Cape May, N.J, a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School. While in high school, he attended the Marine Mechanics Program at the Cape May Vo-Tech for two years. This scholarship will help him attend the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando, Fla.

A $500 scholarship was awarded to Kevin A. Carswell of Toms River, N.J. He attended Ocean County Vocational-Technical School in Toms River and was recognized as student of the month in the Marine Trades Program. Carswell also will be attending the Marine Mechanics Institute this fall.

In addition to MTA’s education scholarships, Pennco Tech School in Blackwood, N.J., sponsored a $15,000 scholarship for a student interested in its marine or marine diesel technician programs. The recipient was Frank C. Pierce of Browns Mills, N.J. Pierce graduated from Pemberton Township High School, where he received the Cooperative Industrial Education Excellence Award. At Pennco he plans to pursue a degree in marine technology and hopes, eventually, to own a marina.

“These three young men demonstrated their dedication to the future of the marine trades industry by incorporating studies of this field into their high school academics,” said MTA/NJ executive director Melissa Danko, in a statement.

Contact the MTA/NJ offices at (732) 292-1051 or info@mtanj.org.