MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1981
MARINE DEPARTMENT BUSY TRAINING SEAMEN
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THE NAUTICAL TRAINING SCHOOL OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS THE ALMA MATER OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ENTIRE FLOATING STAFF.
THE SCHOOL, OPERATED BY THE TRAINING UNIT OF THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AT CANTON ROAD, PROVIDES FULL-TIME NAUTICAL AND ENGINEERING TRAINING TO THE VARIOUS GRADES FROM SEAMAN TO SENIOR COXSWAIN AND FROM OILER TO SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC. IT ALSO OFFERS TRAINING FOR MARINE INSPECTORS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THIS YEAR, THE SCHOOL PLANS TO PROVIDE 26 FULL-TIME COURSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S OWN STAFF.
THESE COURSES ARE AT VARIOUS LEVELS AND ARE FOR BOTH DECK HANDS AND ENGINE ROOM RATINGS, THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL, MR LAM YAU SUM SAID.
+WITH THE EXCEPTION OF INDUCTION CLASSES FOR NEW RECRUITS, MR LAM SAID, ALL COURSES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP IN-SERVICE STAFF TO OBTAIN THE STATUTORY QUALIFICATION OF A MASTER OF LOCAL ENGINEERS OF LOCAL VESSELS,
+TRAINEES ARE FIRST TAUGHT THE BASIC SKILLS OF SEAMANSHIP, MARINE ENGINEERING PRACTICE AND FIREFIGHTING. THEY WILL THEN BE TRAINED ON COASTAL NAVIGATION, PILOTAGE, SIGNALLING, CRAFT MANOEUVRING AND MECHANICAL SKILLS, REMEDY OF MACHINERY FAULTS AND GENERAL ENGINE ROOM HOUSE KEEPING.
→IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HIGHER EFFICIENCY, MODERN TEACHING TECHNIQUES ARE EMPLOYED. LECTURERS ARE SUPPLEMENTED WITH VISUAL AIDS AND VARIOUS KINDS OF WORKING MODELS LIKE SEXTANTS, COMPASSES AND STATION POINTERS. ON THE MECHANICAL ASPECT TRAINEES ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH RUDIMENTARY PRACTICES IN MACHINERY DISMANTLING AND REASSEMBLY AND FAMILIARISATION IN THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS ENCOUNTERED IN THE ENGINE ROOM OF VESSELS.+
TOURS ON BOARD LAUNCHES ARE ALSO ARRANGED TO PROVIDE TRAINEES WITH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCES, MR LAM ADDED.
ON COMPLETION, THE TRAINEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT A CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR, WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR PROMOTION.
IN ADDITION TO TRAINING MARINE DEPARTMENT STAFF, THE SCHOOL ALSO TRAINS OTHER GOVERNMENT STAFF WHO ARE REQUIRED TO WORK ON BOARD GOVERNMENT VESSELS. THEY INCLUDE OFFICERS FROM THE FIRE SERVICES, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICE.
THE SCHOOL ALSO ORGANISES COURSES ON THE USE OF RADAR EQUIPMENT FOR SENIOR FLOATING STAFF FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN CONDITONS OF RESTRICTED VISIBILITY, MR LAM SAID.