NAUTICAL CELEBRATIONS AT SOUTH TYNESIDE COLLEGE

Students at South Tyneside College, the UKs National Nautical Centre of Vocational Excellence, are celebrating after seven of them gained NVQ Level 4 in Merchant Vessel Operations. They are only the second batch of students who have achieved this qualification at South Tyneside College. The NVQ Level 4 is a major part of obtaining the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency.

(PRWEB) July 16, 2003 -- Students at South Tyneside College, the UKs National Nautical Centre of Vocational Excellence, are celebrating after seven of them gained NVQ Level 4 in Merchant Vessel Operations. They are only the second batch of students who have achieved this qualification at South Tyneside College. The NVQ Level 4 is a major part of obtaining the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency.

Their success was based on portfolios of work reflecting the wide range of skills and disciplines necessary at sea. These include management and self-management skills, crew training, ship handling, and planning skills encompassing maintenance, passage planning and emergency procedures.

To complete their work the students spent a minimum of 12 months at sea interspersed with regular visits to the College for support and guidance over a period of two and a half years. Most of their studies were carried out whilst at sea as an Officer of the Watch, although the work of the portfolio reflects the job and skills of Chief Mate, the position above.

Those who have reached NVQ Level 4 are all familiar with South Tyneside College, having joined as cadets and progressed through the system to finish their cadetships before going to sea as Officers of the Watch. They are just seven examples of the hundreds of students who attend the School of Maritime Studies and Engineering at the College each year.

They are: Richard Bourne (P&O Cruises), Charles Chiglou (Nigerian LNG), Paul Farmer (BP), David Goss (Worldwide Shipping), Michael Hurst (Holland America Line), Gareth Wilson (P&O Nedlloyd) and Mohammed Al-Alali (NGSCO).

Nick Whalen Griffiths, from South Tyneside Colleges Faculty of Nautical Science, said: They have done really well to achieve this standard. Through a combination of training at South Tyneside College and working at sea, their portfolios have been first rate.

Their work was assessed not just for content and presentation but also for evidence of extra effort and detail. The College and their companies can be very proud of their achievement so far."

The next stage for the students is to pass the MCA Chief Mate oral exams which will result in the Certificate of Competency being awarded.

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