Seypec spearheads maritime career for another group of young Seychellois |09 February 2021

The seafarers with the directors of SMA and Seypec

• Ensures 100% training in Seychelles

For the first time ever, 10 young Seychellois have received a Pre-Sea Training in Seychelles to be qualified as seafarers.

This specialised training has, since 2014, been held at the Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC) campus in Sri Lanka, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the current sanitary challenges that prevailed, both Seypec (Seychelles Petroleum Company) and CINEC agreed to have it held locally at the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) over a period of 6 weeks.

The 10 young seafarers, comprising 2 females, received their certificates last week in a short ceremony at the SMA in the presence of the principal secretary for Education, Dr Linda Barallon; director of the SMA, Captain Srimal Abeyasuriya and chief executive of Seypec, Conrad Benoiton.

The young seafarers are: Federica Germain, Oceane Adeline, Mark Bijoux, Shaquil Cushion, Andrew Julienne, Benjamin Hoareau, Joelan Camille, Sibert Jeannevol, Perry Stephan and Teerel Hariba.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Benoiton said: “It is a matter of great pride for all of us to have these young Seychellois obtain their training here with all the guarantee of high standards these courses require. The quality of the training was of international level and opened new avenues for the training of the upcoming cohorts of seafarers in Seychelles.”

The 6-week programme of which 5 weeks at full residential on campus at SMA, was made possible by special permission obtained from the Ministry of Health with stringent sanitary rules.

The cohort members resided at the hostel within the Academy’s premise for the duration of the training. The 10 trainees received a rigorous simulation of life and work at sea.

“During these five weeks, we have done the best to train each of these young Seychellois to go out to sea with confidence and pursue their careers as prudent seafarers,” Captain Srimal Abeyasuriya, director of the SMA, explained. “The days have been long: from roll call and physical training at 0600 hours to ‘lights off’ at 2200 hours, we have kept our trainees on their toes. This cohort has faced the most trying challenge of our times. With a great deal of perseverance, the able guidance of our lecturers, they have emerged successful.”

This course, fully sponsored by Seypec, was offered to the students after they had completed their basic Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping (STCW) at the SMA in November 2020.

All members of the seventh cohort have shown tremendous determination that justifies the investment that the national petroleum company has injected in this programme.

“The 100% pass rate since the launch of the Pre-Sea Programme which is supported by an effective and elaborate recruitment process, is the fittest testimony of the effectiveness of the training and the devotion of the young marine enthusiasts,” Mr Benoiton said. “The laudable performance of the trainees up to now confirms that they have enough practical skills, a passport that will open numerous opportunities for them to embrace a passionate career at sea,” he added.

The results of all the batches of graduates of the Seypec Pre-Sea training programme so far reflect the vision of Seypec for an all-Seychellois crew to man all its tankers.

At the certificate presentation ceremony, Mr Benoiton further pledged Seypec’s support towards this programme: “Seypec reaffirms its commitment to further finance the training of many of our young graduates for an officer career in engineering and navigation. This is our genuine pledge for the advancement of young Seychellois as professionals and successful mariners.”

Members of this seventh group of seafarers are embarking on a journey that will lead them to a universally recognised professional status. As Seypec affirms its faith in the up-skilling of Seychellois seafarers, these trainees will benefit from all conditions in developing their skills on the job training to one day attain higher positions on its tanker fleet.

Contributed