Some of beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) are currently undergoing training in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in Owerri, Imo State.
NSDP is a programme of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to take to seafaring careers.
GMDSS is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.
Speaking with SHIPS & PORTS, one of the beneficiaries, Lois Njoku, said she and some of her colleagues decided to undergo the training to make them suitable for employment “on any vessel”.
“Right now I have all the required training but left with GMDSS which would last for just 10 days but cost N350,000. I have been trained for tanker vessels. I can operate very well in them.
“This training would teach us how to use communication technologies especially when in distress and trying to rescue troubled ships and even the port state control. It embodies everything that pertains to managing distress while on water.
“NIMASA has spent much and here we are again advancing the course. We should not finish and be wandering up and down looking for jobs all over the place. If possible, they should mandate that any foreign ships coming to Nigeria should employ at least one of us having signed a memorandum of understanding,” she said.
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