Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria(MAN) Oron , Dr. Kelvin Okonna has disclosed plans by by the academy to commence training on boat and ship building engineering technology which focuses on design, construction, maintenance and operation of marine vessels.
Addressing participants on day two of an exchange visit by the Regional Maritime University and the Academie Regionale Des Sciences et Technique de la Mer to MAN, Okonna said the programme aims at building students technical capacity in the area of boat building and repairs.
According to the Acting Rector, the planned course has been captured in the academy’s plan and budget and shall commence soon.
Taking the guests on guided tour of the academy’s facilities, Okonna showed them first hand how the workings of the multifunctional class room simulator, full mission engine room simulator, virtual reality simulator, marine exhibition workshop, marine engineering workshop , survival pool and others.
The Acting Rector explained that the multifunctional classroom simulator with capacity to do 8 different simulation exercises whereas trainees are allowed to undertake one at a time.
He added that the course comes in place of the old paper chart bringing to the fire Electronic Chart Display and Information System(ECDIS) and other International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved modules needed as prerequisite for the issuance of Certificate of Competence (CoC)
To meet exigencies onboard vessels where the ECDIS fail, Okonna said MAN is still training cadets on the paper chart as a necessary back up.
According to Okonna, the IMO requirements is that if ECDIS fails, a paper chart is used as back up. Paper chart has not been completely discarded as cadets still do the training
The guests comprising administrative heads, lecturers and cadets had first hand demonstrations with the full engine room, virtual reality(ocular vision) and full mission bridge simulators
Expantiating on the simulators’ capacity, the Acting Rector, said the multifunctional classroom simulator is interactive with a capacity for 15 participants at a go showing 15 compartments in the engine room including the lube oil pump, boiler room and others
On the full mission bridge simulator, he said the facility can simulate 40 different types of ships with 10 ship location areas including West Africa, US, UK and other prominent maritime zones
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