NMP’s Maritime Training programs for the Filipino seafarer

Tacloban City – The National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a premier government owned maritime training and research institution in the country located at Brgy. 97, Cabalawan, this City, continues to upgrade its facilities and provide maritime trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention as amended in 2010 including value-adding courses towards improving the qualifications of Filipino seafarers for their employment acceptability and enhanced competitiveness. It also regularly conducts maritime studies to come up with policies and programs for the improvement of the manpower sector of the industry.

NMP upholds its commitment on quality training to its clientele- the Filipino seafarers. With its technological learning facilities, NMP ensures quality of training is delivered to its clients. Among those technological facilities is the simulator used for General Operator’s Certificate for Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GOC for GMDSS). The course uses state-of-the-art Computer Desktops with high-end specifications and installed with the modern applications of TRANSAS GMDSS SIMULATOR GTS 4100 & GTS 5000 with the following control components (sub system):

GTS 4100

  • 2182 KHZ WATCH RX
  • COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB G5
  • FLEET77 TT-308 4A
  • GPS GP-90
  • INMARSAT –B
  • INMARSAT –C
  • MF/HF
  • MF/HF DSC
  • NAVTEX NV700A
  • PROTABLE VHF SP 3300
  • RADIO TELEX
  • VHF1
  • VHFDSC

GTS 5000

  • 2182 KHZ WATCH RX
  • COSPAS-SARSAT EPIRB G5
  • RF RT 500M
  • FLEET77 TT-308 4A
  • GPS GP-90
  • INMARSAT –B
  • MF/HF DSC SAILOR CH510
  • NAVTEX NV700A
  • VHF DSC RT5022

Trainees who successfully completed the course are expected to transmit and receive information using GMDSS subsystems & equipment and fulfilling the functional requirements of GMDSS and to provide radio services for emergency purposes.

GOC for GMDSS Classroom

In addition, other STCW mandated courses are also being offered by the institution namely:

  • Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch (RFPNW)
  • Ratings Forming Part of Engineering Watch (RFPEW)
  • Advance Training in Fire Fighting (ATFF)
  • Medical Emergency First Aid (MEFA)
  • Refresher Training in Advanced Fire Fighting (RTAFF)
  • Basic Training
  • Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS)
  • Ship Security Awareness Training and Seafarers w/ Designated Security Duties (SSAT & SDSD)
  • Refresher Training with Updating Training for Basic Safety (BTR w/ BTU)
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boat (PSCRB)
  • Refresher Training in PSCRB (RTPSCRB)
  • Consolidated MARPOL 73/78 (Conso MARPOL)
  • Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display Information System (OUECDIS)
  • Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork w/ Bridge Resource Management (SSBT w/ BRM)

Full Mission Bridge Simulator

Moreover, NMP also offers value addition courses namely:

  • Control Engineering (CE)
  • Auxiliary machinery System (AMS)
  • Marine Electrical System (MES)
  • Marine Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (MRAC)
  • Gender Sensitivity Training for Seafarers (GSTS)
  • STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Maritime Sector (SHAPIMS)

And as part of its social responsibility, NMP offers courses for Boat Captain, Motorboat Handlers and Fishermen namely:

  • Safety Training for Boat Captain & Marine Diesel Mechanic (BCMDM)
  • Basic Safety Training for Motorboat Handlers/ Operators and Fisherman with Typhoon Preparedness (MBHOF)

Furthermore, NMP offers Professional Development Courses (PDC) which is open to all maritime instructors, faculty members of maritime schools, merchant marine officers and those who want to teach in the maritime training institutions.

  • Training Course for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09)
  • Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers (IMO Model Course 3.12)
  • Training Course for Simulator Instructors and Assessors (IMO Model Course 6.10)

In its 3-year strategic planning, the agency sited distant learning and e-learning platforms as one of its proposed strategy for the next three years considering that seafarers are mobile and the fast phasing technology today, even on board ships.

Distance learning traditionally has focused on nontraditional students (trainees), such as full-time workers, military personnel, merchant marines and nonresidents or individuals in remote regions who are unable to attend classroom lectures. However, distance learning has become an established part of the educational world, with trends pointing to ongoing growth. Hence, an ideal strategy to broaden the service capability of the institution.

Those interested to take NMP training programs may visit the NMP website www.nmp.gov.ph and its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) where all related information on NMP trainings are available.