Cape Fear Community College is sending out an S.O.S. to state lawmakers for the future of its Marine Technology program, one of the college’s oldest and most successful two-year job-training programs. In January 2009, Cape Fear Community College was informed by the N.C. State Board of Community Colleges that state funding for CFCC’s Marine Technology ship operations may be eliminated, effective fiscal year 2009 - 2010. The $571,000 in proposed cuts would eliminate funding for maintenance, fuel, repairs, and supplies on the college’s 85 ft ocean-going research vessel, the R/V Dan Moore. Additionally, these funds support the costs associated with the 53 ft R/V Martech and the fleet of small boats.
