Offshore Fishing Skipper And Deckhand Programme On Offer
In its bid to upskill Basic Sea safety fishing and deck hand fishing with knowledge of nautical techniques, the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) for the first time is offering a Fishing programme as per the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of 1995.
The programme will consist of Basic Sea Safety Fishing and Deckhand Fishing which comprises of Nautical Knowledge, Basic Seamanship, Fishing Techniques, By-catch, Fish Handling and Fish Processing, Near Coastal Fishing Mate and Skipper and Offshore Fishing Skipper.
FMA Principal Lecturer Nautical Science, Captain Tevita Robanakadavu said the programme aims to provide qualification and upskill the work of fish handling and processing in Fiji and the Pacific.
“Over the years people do not get the education nor the qualification to operate in this field,” Captain Robanakadavu said.
“It has been the case for people are employed by shipping moguls and they learn while on the job,” he said.
“This course will provide the necessary qualification and training for one who wants to be qualified for the job.”
Captain Robanakadavu said the programme was divided into two structures with scholarships offered by the New Zealand government.
“There are two Fishing career structures, the first one is Offshore Fishing Skipper Apprentice structure especially designed for school leavers who have passed Form 6 with English, Maths and Physics and has to serve 18 months of sea time prior attending 2 semester at the Academy,”
“The other structure is Near Coastal Fishing Skipper Upgrading and the pre-requisite is age 18 years and above and has to serve 24 months of approved sea time prior attending a semester at the Academy.
“The Fiji Maritime Academy in partnership with world wide Fund for Nature Pacific Programme office (WWF-Pacific) are offering a limited number of scholarships to potential students interested in undertaking Deckhand fishing programme and Offshore fishing skipper programme for both males and females interested in career as crew on, or Skipper on Fishing vessels.”
“The scholarship has been made possible through funding from the New Zealand Aid programme and coordinated by WWF-Pacific,”
“Twenty-Five scholarships for the Deck hand Fishing Programme and the pre-requisite, age between 18 years to 25 years with Form 4 or Year 10 pass and fifteen scholarships for the Offshore Fishing Skipper programme, pre-requisite age between 18 years to 25 years, Form 6 or Year 12 pass with English, Maths and Physics.
“In accordance with the IMO Women in Maritime Initiative, and the NZ Aid equal opportunity policy, females are strongly encouraged to apply.
“All applications should be addressed to the Academic Officer, Fiji Maritime Academy, PO Box 10963, Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu as applications close on Friday 1th January, 2019.
“The Fiji Maritime Academy will offer the course from 1st semester, 2019.”
For further information, on courses and relevant information students can contact Captain Tevita Robanakadavu on 9401528 or email on tevita.robanakadavu@fnu.ac.fj
