TACLOBAN CITY – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) has achieved a significant milestone in maritime safety training with the successful completion of the pilot class for its newly developed Refresher Course on Fast Rescue Boat (RFRB) which took place on February 24, 2024 at the NMP Main Campus.

Designed to comply with the standards set forth in the STCW Code Section A-VI/2, the refresher course aims to ensure that seafarers maintain the required standard of competence in operating fast rescue boats rapidly addressing emergency and saving lives in distress at sea.

The pilot class was attended by twelve (12)-selected seafarers who were given the opportunity to experience, firsthand, the updated curriculum and refined training methodologies developed by the NMP’s Curriculum Development Section (CDS). This included hands-on training with the latest fast rescue boat equipment and simulation-based exercises designed to replicate real-life rescue scenarios.

Upon completion of the necessary revisions, the course package will be submitted to MARINA for accreditation within the 1^st quarter of the year.

Once accredited, the Refresher Course on Fast Rescue Boat will become a permanent offering at NMP, contributing significantly to the Philippines’ reputation as a leading provider of maritime education and training. The course is expected to attract seafarers both locally and internationally, who are looking to enhance their skills and fulfill the regulatory requirements for operating such equipment.