MNU's Centre for Maritime Studies begins STCW basic safety courses

The Maldives National University (MNU)'s Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS) has commenced the first batch of this year's STCW Basic Safety courses.

Head of CMS, Captain Mohamed Zahid, stated that out of the courses planned for this year, the four courses that began today are Basic Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival at Sea, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibility. A total of 6 students are participating in these concurrently run courses. The Captain mentioned that the practicals for these programs will also be conducted one day a week at the MNU Survival Centre located in Villingili.

Yesterday, CMS also began classes for the Certificate 4 in Marine Operations course. Six students are participating in this one-year course. This course is a mandatory requirement to become a navigation officer on merchant vessels. Additionally, it is the initial stage of study for students who wish to become merchant vessel captains.

Another course started by CMS this month is a refresher course for captains, navigation officers, and marine engineers currently employed on merchant vessels. Eighteen students are studying in this 60-hour refresher program.

"These individuals must complete a refresher program every 5 years. According to STCW regulations, they have to renew their certificates every 5 years," said Captain Mohamed Zahid.

CMS plans to conduct additional programs and courses later this year. CMS courses are benchmarked and conducted in accordance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) model courses. Furthermore, they are approved by the Maldives Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

CMS was established following the Maldives' ratification of the STCW Convention in 1987. Prior to that, it was operated under the name Maritime Training Centre.