Nigeria’s apex regulatory authority in the maritime industry, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has given its nod to Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research as an examination centre for the Certificate of Competency (COC) in the country.
The institute which is situated in Warri, Delta State was given the approval following a clean bill of health issued by the agency recently.
The approval of the institute was contained in a letter addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institute, Mr. Kenneth A. Epidei.
Among other things, the agency said: “This is to certify that Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research has met the requirements in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978 (as amended), Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) Regulations 2010 and NIMASA MSTC Guidelines”.
Apparently given reasons why it gave its nod, the letter conveying the approval which was signed by NIMASA Executive Director, Operations, Mr. Shehu Ahmed on behalf of its Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh said: “Your training institute is found satisfactory and is hereby approved as a Certificate of Competency (COC) Examination Centre”.
The letter which was sighted by Maritime Bits showed that the institute was given approval for two critical maritime courses, namely Officer of the Watch (OOW) Deck (NCV) – Reg. Ii/3; and Officer of the Watch (OOW) Engine (NCV) – Reg. Iii/3.
According to the letter, the provisional approval is subject to the institute adhering strictly to the successful conduct of surveillance and other audits by the Quality Assurance Team to take a final list of students that are eligible to sit for the OOW COC Examinations.
The institute is also expected to fully comply with NIMASA guidance and requirements for the COC examinations including security and facility management.
JoeMarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research is a private leading indigenous maritime training institution duly registered and approved recognized by the Federal Ministry of Education, NIMASA and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), as well as other local and foreign bodies for STCW conventional and non-conventional courses, oil and gas short courses, human capacity development consultancy and general consultancy.
Against the backdrop of the approval, Epidei has called on all seafarers in the country to visit the institute to see for themselves and also register for their COC examinations.
He assured seafarers that they would enjoy what he called “an excellent marine Institutional delivery” when they use the institute facilities for their COC examinations in the months ahead.
