To Provide Maritime Industry with Quality, Price- Competitive Maritime Training to meet Industry need of Qualified, Preferred and Competent Seafarers for Sustainable Business

The historic year was 2016 when the foundation stone of Loyalty Marine Education Trust (LMET) was laid. The objective was to impart marine training and thereby achieving an overall improvement of the quality of seafarers. Accordingly, the institute has developed a pool of high caliber seafarers trained at all levels to work in the demanding shipping industry. The Trust enjoys the approval of Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Ministry of Shipping Govt of India, and is an ISO 9001: 2015 certified institute.

DGS approved courses offered by the institutes are:-

• Basic Safety Training Course (PSSR, PST, FPFF & EFA)
• Security Training For Seafarers With Designated Security Duties (STSDSD)
• Refresher of Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
• Refresher of Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (OCTCO)
• Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (LGTCO)

Using this profound curriculum, the institute has trained more than 3000 students in the shipping sector and they have made the institution proud with their successful designations in the sector. Under the guidance of prominent DG members, the Trust has conducted free courses to around 250 candidates in Minicoy and Kavaratti, Lakshadweep under Maritime Initiative for Lakshadweep Islanders. The Trust quotes, “We took immense pleasure to give them guidance and adequate knowledge about the maritime sector and also assisted them in applying for their INDOS No and CDC”.

Moreover, it has also managed ships of a few ship owners, which has helped the students in acquiring respectable positions. As a result, the institute is further eliminating unemployment and has been working hard to get management from more ship owners.

A Proficient Leader

Capt. Nilesh Kumar helms the chair of Principal at LMET. He holds several degrees in the shipping industry along with the license of being a Master Mariner and 16-year work experience in onboard oil and chemical tankers. Consequently, he has vast working experience in an international environment and with multi nationalities.

He is a credit not just to the maritime industry but also to the wider nation. He is also an Accredited Terminal Inspector. He has gone beyond his duty for the benefit of others. Seafarers, especially junior officers and cadets consider him as a great role model. In the year, “2018”, he was nominated by DGS to conduct basic modular courses and passenger ship familiarization course at Minicoy and Kawaratti Lakshadweep Islands under MILI (Maritime Initiative for Lakshadweep Islanders) for the natives of Lakshadweep Islands to promote maritime education and training.

The All-Around Student Development

LMET has qualified professionals as its faculties, who are highly experienced in their respective designations while serving at sea or ashore. The institute goes beyond traditional teaching and focuses on providing practical sessions and discussions in the classroom. Teaching past the conventional bookish knowledge, the institute broadens student’s horizons. It combines videos and slideshows, which aid students to understand better. It also conducts technical and non-technical things to ensure overall development of students. The classes are very interactive and faculties ensure that every student understands what is being taught before proceeding. At the end of the sessions, LMET does conduct tests as well.

Additionally, the courses at LMET are challenging, yet informative, so that the students are well aware of the competitive market. With its modular courses and other value-added offerings, there is a large variety of students on campus, providing everyone the opportunity to interact and learn from each other. With the up-to-date library facilities and diverse software in the campus, students can easily access study materials to ensure quality output thus developing their skills, which will help them to cope with the world outside the campus.

On a personal level, the institute works on each student. It briefly examines each student’s areas of strengths and weakness. Depending on the evaluation, it also conducts extra sessions, classes, discussions, and focus on the enhancing communication skills. They are enlightened about the latest trends and changes in the industry in relation to the marine sector, improving their leadership skills. In the near future, the institute is planning to more DGS approved courses.

As far as the industry trends and application goes, LMET keeps itself updated and complies with the new rules and regulations set by IMO and DG Shipping, Mumbai, which as a result helps in giving better outcome to the students. It also conducts and attends several seminars regarding new trends and changes in the shipping industry.

Promoting Maritime Education

While talking about the promotion of Maritime Education, the Trust states, “We conduct free classes for maritime awareness, also providing knowledge about day to day changes in the maritime sector. Also, as we had already mentioned that we gave free education to more than 250 students in Lakshadweep thus promoting maritime education and we will continue doing this social work”.

The post Loyalty Marine Education Trust: Enhancing Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude of Seafarers appeared first on The Knowledge Review.