The College is situated in a pleasant location on the waterfront of Binnen Harbour next to the Madang Technical College and is about 3km from the Town centre.

It is a boarding school and can accommodate 120 trainees in dormitories similar to those at high schools but not so crowded. Senior students (i.e. Mate 5 and up, Engineer 5 and up live in twin berth rooms, which are well appointed with modem furniture.

Junior students have a separate spacious dormitory. All meals are provided on campus in the student mess room. There is an excellent kitchen and modern equipment used to provide a variety of meals, which are held in high regard by trainees.

The routine is a comprehensive one and the days start at 6:00 am with breakfast at 6:30 am. Lessons start at 7:30 am and finish between 3:00 pm and 4:45 pm.

From 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm is the time for doing those jobs like letter writing, washing or playing sports. Supper is at 5:30 pm and from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm, the classrooms and library are open for private study.

Sporting activities are well established in Madang. Although the College does not have its own field, there are plenty of opportunities for trainees to participate in activities such as boating, sailing, soccer, volleyball and other field sports, which are organized by members of the local community. The College has teams in the local touch football competition.

Students attending the College wear uniform and are issued with a variety of protective clothing for use at the College.

To be able to teach trainees what they need to know for a career at sea, the College has a variety of equipment such as sailing boats, power boats, sextants, chronometers, outboard motors, petrol engines, fire fighting equipment, a twelve meter motor launch and a 29m training vessel fitted with radar, echo sounder, and two radio transmitters and receivers, a fully equipped GMDSS lab, which covers all sea areas, satellite navigation system, life rafts, and computer radar simulator.

There is also a reference library, where it is possible to read about almost any aspect of nautical or marine engineering subjects and watch marine videos.

PNG Maritime College is the only College of its kind in Papua New Guinea offering training in all aspects of Marine Sea-going Personnel. Due to the new ships in Papua New Guinea Coastal and Foreign Going Shipping Trade, there is a great demand for qualified Deck and Engineering Officers from the Shipping Industry.

Students attend the college from East Timor, The Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands and other members of the SPC. 

Member of the South Pacific Uniform Standards Forum means that Papua New Guinea Marine qualifications are required in the South Pacific by all of the members of the forum.

PNG Maritime College courses and systems are audited by AMSA to the same standards as Australian Maritime College and PNG has attained IMO 'white listing' - international recognition of the quality of its courses. The recognition means that PNG certificates are recognized and acceptable world wide.

The College has a zero tolerance alcohol, drugs and buai policy.

The college is currently under taking a major infrastructure upgrade through the PNG Incentive Fund. This K6 million project will see the student accommodation upgraded and extended to 240 places. The ship simulator is to be brought to DNV Class B standard and library and teaching facilities enhanced.