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Mumbai , Oct. 15

FOR the first time in India, a unique polyvalent maritime sciences degree course, which covers both the navigation and engineering arms of maritime studies, was inaugurated at the Marine Engineering and Research Institute at Mumbai by the Union Minister of Shipping, Mr. Shatrughan Sinha, on Wednesday.

The course, which was launched under the STCW-95 Convention of the IMP for Alternative Certification Scheme, envisages a three-year training period, after which the candidates will be awarded the B.Sc Maritime Sciences Degree by the University of Mumbai.

Subsequently, the cadets will be required to complete 18 months of structured on-board training, covering various activities pertaining to both the engine and deck sides. After this, the candidates will be eligible for appearing for the examination conducted for certification as Engineer Officer or Deck Officer at the operation level.

According to Mr. G.S. Sahni, Director General of Shipping, the course will benefit both the trainees as well as the employers. "While the trainees will gain increased employment potential, the employer will benefit by way of providing flexibility of employing a dual certified officer either as a Deck Officer or as an Engineer Officer. The added advantage is better distribution of workload on board a ship," he said.

Mr Sahni pointed out that the availability of navigation as well as engineering officers was often not even. "Sometimes engineer officers are scarce, while at other times navigation officers are hard to find. Dual certified officers will effectively address this problem of the industry and at the same time bring harmony between the two wings, deck and engine," he said.

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