I recently had the opportunity to visit the Vanuatu Maritime College (VMC) in Luganville, on the island of Espirito Santo, Vanuatu. I was very impressed with what I saw and with whom I met.
In a little over 4 years, Captain Ken Barnett, the VMC's Chief Executive, has established a very fine facility responsible for training, to appropriate standards, ni-Vanuatu seafarers for service as officers and ratings aboard domestic Vanuatu vessels; ni-Vanuatu fishermen serving aboard domestic, international registry, and foreign flagged fishing vessels; ni-Vanuatu ratings serving aboard Vanuatu's international vessels; and, when appropriate and by arrangement, non ni-Vanuatu ratings. Additionally, the VMC has trained hundreds of catering staff for work aboard foreign flag passenger vessels including the P&O vessel PACIFIC SKY, which regularly visits Vanuatu.
In due course, we anticipate that the VMC will also commence training ni-Vanuatu officer candidates to STCW standards for service on Vanuatu registered international ships and for service on foreign flag vessels. Discussions have already commenced concerning ni-Vanuatu officer candidates' training at established overseas training facilities, and discussions are underway concerning the service of STCW trained ratings as officer-cadets on internationally trading vessels.
Could the graduates of the VMC fill your crewing needs? Or could the VMC provide training for personnel already on your payroll? For offshore supply vessels? For work as ratings or industrial personnel on Mobile Offshore Drilling Units? For fishing vessels? For internationally trading vessels? I am confident that the VMC can work with you and even design specific training to fit your needs.
The possibilities are endless when you consider the facilities, the staff, the quality system that has been established, and the overall spirit at the Vanuatu Maritime College, under the able direction of Captain Ken Barnett.
I am enclosing a copy of the brochure Maritime Training in Vanuatu, which is also available in pdf format should you require an electronic version. Please direct any specific questions by email to Captain Ken Barnett at
or to Ms. Caroline Nalo at
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