Master mariners pledge support for cadets on sea-time programme

The sea-time programme is the practical aspect of the training for students of maritime studies and it is usually done on sea-going vessels.
The president of the association, Captain Adegboyega Olopoenia, made the pledge on Tuesday at the Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2014 in Lagos.
“We will take it upon ourselves as master mariners to assist these cadets to get on-board placements for sea-time.
“This is very important because it is the sea-time that makes the training complete for a seafarer”.
Olopoenia also called on ship owners to assist in ensuring that the cadets got placements on their ships for their  sea-time programme.
He said that it was not enough for industry players to convene and just hold talks without taking actions on solutions proffered.
Olopoenia said that policies driving the operations of the industry needed to be properly harmonised to ensure that the industry worked effectively.
He recalled his inability to get cargoes from Europe to Nigeria while foreign vessels carried cargos to Nigeria. (NAN)