Maritime students face challenges in acquiring essential skills. This study determined the significance of fitness awareness and learning motivation as predictors of maritime skill acquisition challenges. Using predictive-descriptive design, and with the 150 samples selected through stratified random sampling, the result showed that fitness awareness does not significantly influence the criterion variable. In contrary the learning motivation is found to be significant predictor.  However, learning motivation has a reverse correlation with the criterion variable. This result partially affirms the Achievement Goal Theory. Future studies are encouraged to explore other variables not covered in this study to account 89.2% variance in the criterion variable. Likewise, educational institutions are encouraged to implement programs that boost students learning motivation to reduce skills acquisition challenges, supporting equal access to quality education.