FMA Pioneer Deckhand Fishing Programme Start Sea Service
Students enrolled in the Deckhand Fishing Programme and Offshore Fishing Skipper at the Fiji Maritime Academy (FMA) will now commence stage two of the programme after graduating from stage one on March 4, 2019.
Principal lecturer, nautical science Captain Tevita Robanakadavu said students were now required to serve 12 months sea service on a fishing vessel as part of stage two of their studies.
“They are given a checklist of activities to perform onboard and will be closely monitored by the skipper of fishing vessel,” Mr Robanakadavu said.
“They are also given a fishing vessel Training Record book and has to be filled as per task or activity completed by his or her supervisor during their tenure onboard,” he said.
“FMA introduced this programme as per International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Standard Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW-F 95).
“There are 46 students altogether, 15 training offshore fishing skipper, eight males and seven females and 31 deckhand fishing students consisting of 16 males and 15 females that will undertake stage two of studies.
“For training Offshore Fishing Skipper, they will serve 12 months sea service prior attending Part A at FMA while the Deckhand Fishing students to serve 24 months of sea service prior attending the Near Coastal Fishing Skipper at FMA.”
He said the New Zealand Government funded scholarships only funded for their tuition and the fishing company will remunerate each crew during their service onboard.
“The Fiji Fishing Industry Association (FFIA) will organise fishing vessels for the 46 students to serve the required sea service,”
“The advantage of seafaring is you meet a lot of people, visit a lot of places, is a well-paid career, you fulfil your dreams, the company will take care of your meals and welfare while onboard and provide transport after signing off from your vessel.
“We are inviting those who have completed Year 12 and still undecided on their future career to come to the Fiji Maritime Academy and we should be able to advise them on their career path to follow, we provide training to Merchant Navy Captains and Chief Engineers and Fishing vessel Skippers
