[2][3] The purpose of the institute was to train officers for the Jamaican merchant marine, a small fleet of ships owned by the government.

[3] The Jamaica Maritime Training Institute (JMTI) began its first semester on 15 September 1980, with a student population of 16.

In 1985, the JMTI moved to Palisadoes Park, between the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and Gun Boat Beach.

[4] It had a student population of 64 in 1990,[4] at which point it announced a program of "Jamaicanisation" to reduce the reliance on Norwegian staff.

[4] The first two decades brought challenges, including the lack of sea time for cadets, and difficulties in finding qualified staff to teach.

A solution to the latter problem was devised as promising candidates were fast-tracked through a Norwegian teaching program before joining the Institute.

"[7] In 2001, the act was amended to change the name to the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), a decision made to reflect the regional nature of the student body and the training.

[16]In 1992, Michael Rodriguez, formerly a Lieutenant Commander in the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, was appointed as Executive Director.