TACLOBAN CITY, June 23 (PNA)- The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has issued full course approval to three courses being offered by the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and will soon endorse additional five courses.
These courses, according to Manuel C. Roldan, NMP executive director are operational use of electronic chart display and information system(OUEECDIS), ship security awareness training and seafarers with designated security duties (SSAT and SDSD) and consolidated marine pollution (MARPOL).
“I am very excited that finally after months of hard work and waiting, the MARINA standards of training, certification and watch keeping (STCW) has already issued full course approval,” Roldan added.
He informed that those who have accomplished formal instruction in terrestrial navigation, familiarization with visual navigation and accomplished a period of supervised bridge watch keeping duties and prior completion of basic radar may avail of the OUECDIS course.
Those who may avail of the SSAT and SDSD training are those seafarers or other shipboard personnel, who will not be assigned specific security duties in connection with the ship security plan.
While MARPOL is open to marine deck and engineer officers and other personnel responsible in ensuring compliance of onboard operations to regulations of Marine Pollution 73/78 Convention.
Meanwhile, NMP is also awaiting for five STWC courses to be approved. On Wednesday, a team from MARINA STWC office will come to Tacloban and inspect the facility. Basic training is one of the courses to be inspected, according to Roldan.
Aside from the basic training, other courses to be inspected are advanced fire fighting, proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boat (PSCRB), prevention of alcohol and drug abuse In the maritime sector (PADAMS) and ship simulator bridge teamwork with bridge resource mManagement (SSBT) and medical emergency first aid (MEFA)
NMP is now upgrading all its facilities to make the training facility at par with the international standards after the destruction brought by super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
The state-run training center has three MARINA-accredited courses and five additional courses that will open soon.
NMP’s head office and training center sits on a 15-hectare complex in Cabalawan village in this city, right at the foot of the San Juanico Bridge. (PNA)