PNG Maritime College

PNG Maritime College steams ahead with K5.8m development

Maritime College new dormitory and library building.

By Patrick Matbob

PNG Maritime College, Pacific’s premier maritime institution, is steaming ahead with the opening of new facilities to lift the standard of seamen training in the region.

Last month the college opened three new facilities; a marine offshore safety training centre, an upgraded full mission navigation simulator and a building housing a library and women’s dormitory. The new facilities were funded by AusAID through the PNG Incentive Fund at a cost of K5.8m.

Minister for National Planning Sam Basil jointly opened the facilities with the head of AusAID in PNG Stuart Schaefer.

Mr Basil thanked Australia for its continued partnership in PNG’s development efforts and described the Incentive Fund Program as one of the most effective donor-funded programs in PNG.

The college’s new principal Captain Richard Teo said the Maritime Offshore Safety Training which was housed in the Petroleum, Oil and Gas Industry training centre, would soon be accredited with UK’s Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO).  This would happen after trainers complete their formal and intensive induction, training assessment and audit.

“This facility will prepare and update personnel working in the PNG Petroleum industry to the highest safety standards in emergency response and survival techniques, fire prevention, safety control/management and in the event of transport helicopter accidents at sea, the ability to remain safe, escape and help others in the same predicament at our Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer (HUET) facility”.

The college’s navigation simulator has also been upgraded to include Electronic Chart Display and Information system (ECDIS) for navigation and automatic identification at sea. The will provide training for harbour pilots, merchants and naval officers and includes ‘blind navigation’.

The new building that houses the ladies dormitory and library, will allow for more women to join the college for further training.

Captain Teo also announced that the college will soon introduce a Transport and Logistics Diplomas for officers and engineers which will lead towards a bachelor degree in Marine Operations and Management.

He said that the college was pursuing a excellence in education and training in Madang and hoped to finalise programs with Divine Word University and other institutes.

“We will also pursue an international collegiate arrangement with other colleges across the world, engaging with industry at the same time to ensure that our graduands are transferred the best knowledge and skills for employability at home and abroad”.

He said: “Management and leadership skills development and training will begin from the day they join as cadets and able seafarer trainees”.

He thanked AusAID and the Incentive Fund for providing the opportunity for the college to continue to lead as a world class facility to provide excellence in Maritime education and training for PNG and the Pacific region.

The Incentive Fund program between Australia and PNG which began in the late 90s has successfully funded bridges, roads, town markets, school classrooms, health centres, nurses accommodation, student dormitories and teachers houses in various parts of the country.

Head of AusAID in PNG Stuart Schaefer said the program had become so successful that the Fund had become a victim of its own success. He was referring to the fact that the projects established under the fund, especially the development of schools and health centres, have been so successful in delivering services that there has been increased demands for services from those institutions. This has resulted in requests for repeat funding from the Incentive Fund to cater for the increase in demand. Maritime College was one such institution.

Minister Basil was pleased with the establishment of a women’s dormitory which he said opened up opportunities for women interested in the shipping industry to further their knowledge and qualifications.

“By creating opportunities for both men and women, this increases the productivity level, skills level and increased workforce”.

He also pointed that since 2006, the PNG government NMSA Certification process was in accordance with the United Nations and International Maritime Organisation standards of Training and Certification for Seafarers Convention and Code commonly known as ‘White List’.

He said that meant that PNG seafarers were able to work anywhere in the world because they have international qualifications.

Mr Basil also said the recent maritime incidents in PNG he shocked the world. He said maritime transport was an integral resource for the people and the country needed to develop a highly efficient and safe system.

“The college, along with the National Maritime Safety Authority can provide regulatory input into operations and training for not just seagoing personnel but also for the operators”.

He said accountability and responsibility for operating safe ships lay with vessel operators. “Enforcement of the safety regulations is imperative and this includes educating operators”.