Nine seafarers join Seypec fleet |09 April 2022
Best overall performer Sami Padayachy with Mrs Romain (Photo: Joena Meme)
Nine seafarers‒ eight males and one female ‒ of the eighth cohort 2022 and who will be embarking on a prospective seafaring career with the Seychelles Petroleum Company, received their certificates yesterday afternoon after completing two months and three weeks pre-sea training at the Seychelles Maritime Academy, Providence.
They were presented with their certificates in the presence of the principal secretary for Education Services, Merna Eulentin; principal secretary for Education Sector Development, John Lesperance; acting chief executive of the Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec), Sarah Romain; director of the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA), Captain Anura Herath; parents and staff of both Seypec and SMA.
Ingride Zialor, Mario Brigilia, Wayne Jeannevole, Dominique Joubert, Frederick Michaud, Sami Padayachy, Jude Poris, Jardel Uranie and Darius Volcère followed vigorous trainings to equip themselves with basic competence in navigation and marine engineering.
The training which started on January 17, 2022 and ended in late March 2022, also entailed an engineering practical workshop that was held at the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT).
During the ceremony, Padayachy was declared the best overall performer for the eighth cohort 2022. Michaud received the award for the best performer in nautical science, while Volcère was named best performer in mechanical studies.
In his opening remarks, Captain Herath said that the goal is to uplift the standard of SMA to international level so that the country’s seafarers would be able to find employment opportunities not only on local vessels but on foreign going vessels as well whereby bringing in more revenue to the country.
He reminded everyone that the young learners are our tomorrow and our future who will grow up to be great navigators and great marine engineers.
“It is our responsibility to groom them in mind and stature to achieve their goals. What our children are going to be in future is what we make of them,” said Captain Herath who called on the learners to acknowledge those who helped make their experience possible.
To ensure that the right fit of candidates are recruited for prospective seafaring career with Seypec, shortlisted candidates are subjected to a vigorous recruitment process which includes a face-to-face interview, psychometric testing, full medical review and drug and alcohol testing.
The nine candidates came from different walks of life ‒ pilot, GSE mechanic, skipper, boat boy, hostess/stewardess, accounts supervisor and SMA/SIT graduates.
Effort to recruit another group of seafaring apprentice started in September 2021 and the successful candidates forming the eighth cohort were enrolled on a number of short courses at SMA which included basic safety, standards of training, certification for watch-keeping for seafarers (STCW 78 Convention as Amended), maritime English and tanker familiarisation.
After their training at SMA, the seafarers were invited for a week-long orientation programme at Seypec which entailed one-to-one review with shipping officers and the employee wellness officer, nutrition talk with principal nutritionist from the Health Care Agency, life skills training with the employee wellness officer, health, safety and security induction and depot familiarisation with the fire marshall, and placement for vessel familiarisation on board MT Seychelles Paradise. It is anticipated that with the knowledge and practical skills gained, the cohort will make a valuable asset to the Seypec crew pool.
In addressing the gathering, Mrs Romain stated that R1.2 million has been allocated as investment for the 8th cohort’s training programme.
She noted that Seypec has been able to hold the previous cohorts with further studies at the Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College (CINEC), Sri Lanka but due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was not possible for last year and for this year also.
She noted though that they managed to bring the programme locally to Seychelles which has resulted in some cost cutting.
She added that Seypec supports the training programme as qualified Seychellois personnel are needed to replace the expatriates on the tankers and is the reason also why young Seychellois are being encouraged to join the seafarer career.
“I would urge you all to take your work seriously. It is the early stage of your journey, so work hard, stay focus and do not be distracted. Live up to the expectations that everyone has for you. We know you will do very well,” said Mrs Romain who also reminded them of the strict rules of Seypec especially in regards to the use of drugs and alcohol.
On behalf of her colleagues, Ingride Zialor said they will strive to make full use of the knowledge and valuable skills learnt during the training and further promised to not abandon ship. She thanked all those who have helped them along the way.
Later, Ms Zialor, who was only doing part time as a waitress when doing her studies, said “although it has not been easy, I feel very proud to have completed the course which will allow me to further my experience overseas. I would urge other young girls to not let themselves be discouraged if they want to choose this career as they won’t regret it.”
A shy Sami Padayachy, awarded the best overall performer award, did not want to make any comments. As for best for mechanical studies’ performer Darius Volcère he said: “I am very happy. I was not expecting to win the award and I thank everyone who has helped me to achieve this.”
The nine seafarers are expected to leave the country for their first seagoing contract during the third week of April 2022 on the different Seypec’s fleet of tankers.
Patrick Joubert
