Customs Report
Rector MAN speaks on installed multi-functional simulators
Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Commodore Duja Effedua, retired, has said the launch of new simulators and maintenance of an existing one and the simulators operational rooms has put the Academy in a position of regional hub and superiority in Maritime Education and Training, MET, in the West African sub region.
His statement is coming on the heels of the launched of the Academy’s Multi-Functional Classroom Simulator, procured to enhance the training of cadets practical knowledge in seamanship operation.
The rector explained that aside the installation, engineers also worked on the existing Full Mission Bridge simulator and Full Mission Engine Room simulator, in other to completely have the simulators unit wholly functional for use of cadets and students.
It will be recalled that management earlier this year sent fifteen of its academic staff members to India for training on how to handle, maintain and ensure optimal utilization of the simulators, in addition on how to acquire the competence to offer professional training to its cadets on the latest simulator technology.
An elated Effedua told Vanguard Maritime Report that the whole effort is geared towards improving the Academys regional training dominance, to further ensure that cadets and other professionals who come to the Academy for professional courses get the best possible training, in line with global standards.
Apart from sending lecturers abroad on trainings to enhance their teaching competences, cadets of the Academy have also been offered the opportunity of overseas studies, as part of plans to secure international exposure/training by staffs and cadets.
Speaking on the development, the Rector said, We made sure that the training component was included in the purchase of the Simulators because we must learn from and improve on previous experiences.
“This simulator in addition to the Multi-Functional Classroom which delivery was delayed by Covid-19 will enhance the training of our cadets on Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, GMDSS, Electronic Charts, Blind Pilotage, Tactical Navigation, Ship Stability, Rules of the Road and what is known as High Voltage training.
He said the brand new equipment are some of the latest simulators technology, which will provide huge opportunities for manpower development in the nations maritime, oil and gas sectors.
The Multifunctional Classrooms can accommodate not less than 30 Cadets per training session. No country in the sub region has the kind of equipment we have brought to the Academy. They are designed and built for multi-functional purpose. These are not off the shelf generic equipment and we are confident that their installation will rejuvenate and catapult our trainings beyond the expectations of our stakeholders.
The entire maritime industry, the oil and gas sector have a lot to gain from these modern equipments. Refresher courses are now more than ever before available on a higher, improved scale and because we are concerned about the entire country, we shall be open to discussions with other schools which want to take advantage of our equipment to improve on their trainings for the good of the country.
In a related development, the Academy recently donated safety gears for commercial motorcyclists operators, popularly known as okada riders, for their use and use of their passengers within the Oron host community. The management said the donation is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to its host community.
According to the Rector, Very often we hear of crashes and accidents by okada riders in the community. We are concerned about their safety and the people they convey from one point to the other. It is our hope that the jackets and helmets we have donated will help to keep them safe.