The fifth and final batch of 28 seafarers left the Island last Sunday to commence basic safety training in Trinidad at the Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI). The training will be provided over 9 days from 5 to 16 September.
The batch includes 8 seafarers from St George, 3 from St Mark, one from St David, 13 from Carriacou and 4 from Petite Martinique. This brings the final group of persons to benefit from the training to 97, including 5 females have completed the programme.
The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) targeted about 100 seafarers to participate in Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) under its 7 programme cycle. Training in personal survival technique, personal safety and social responsibility, basic first aid, basic firefighting, seamanship and security awareness are provided accordance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.
In addition to improving safety practices at sea, certified persons will also be in a better position to seek employment in the marine sector. Since the start of the programme in the last quarter in 2015 — 3 persons have already found employment on large vessels and over seventy (70%) of the participants are still actively involved in the marine sector.
Like previous groups, BNTF expects a 100% pass rate.
Ministry of Finance & Energy
