Marine training successful

Marine safety training is said to be successful as no accidents involving sea vessels were reported  recently. Also, Namibia has not recorded many accidents at sea in the past. This is the view of  Tobias Nambala of the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (NAMFI).
Nambala said that marine safety training is successful because it addresses all elements. Safety training is offered by NAMFI through its safety department, in accordance with the Standard of Training, Certification and Watch keeping Convention (STWC-95) and (STWC-95F), an international convention adopted in 1995 as amended.
In accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act (1951), the Ministry of Works and Transport through the Directorate of Maritime Affairs, has implemented stricter measures pertaining to the clearance of vessels and crew list approvals before sailing. It is now expected that every vessel must be manned by seagoing personnel that are properly certified in all mandatory safety courses as per the Manning regulations.
Nambala added that training is given to seagoing personnel who are employed by total allowable catch (TAC) holders as well as to the employees of new rights holders.
The training comprises a series of courses ranging from Proficiency in Survival Craft, Personal Survival Techniques, Basic Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention, Advanced Medical First Aid and Medical Care (Ship Captains Medical).
Nambala said that NAMFI also trains students from Nigeria, Angola, South Africa and from European countries such as Spain, Portugal, Poland and Norway.
“In short, the maritime industry is a global village, if one student is trained at a training centre and is satisfied, they will inform others. I can say the students are happy with the quality of our training and that our training is of high standards as set out by international conventions and regulations,” he said.