HARBOUR Master Michael Tennant has said the Marine Cadets training programme undertaken by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is, in its third year of operation, and those cadets have completed two aspects of their exams and are preparing for the coastal masters exam.

He added that from a group of 16 persons, 15 have been assigned to work on vessels that are operating both internationally and locally, and one is awaiting word in this respect. Tennant said that, by the end of this week, the person awaiting response will also be given a similar opportunity.

Tennant said the cadets are supposed to be doing an additional six months of training, but only the individual who is not yet on a vessel will probably complete his six-month training.

Tennant explained that cadets are afforded eight months’ sea time and, he said, with the additional six months’ training, they will have more than a year of training.

He expects that by the early part of next year, the cadets would be able to sit the Guyana Coastal Masters Examination.

Tennant pointed out that the department is looking to engage the subject minister to have cadets sent to Jamaica and other Caribbean countries for specialised training, so they will be fully equipped to fulfil some of the department’s mandates in terms of staffing.

Tennant explained that marine cadets are trained for four years, but he said training may take a bit longer because of constraints which have been beyond the control of the department. He also said that one of the difficult tasks is to have cadets assigned duties on vessels.

He explained that MARAD does not have the type of vessels to afford cadets the practical experience they need, but the department has the dredge Steven, the pilot launches, the Transport and Harbours’ vessels, and other vessels.

Tenant said the programme commenced with 29 cadets, but one died as a result of an accident during training while off-duty, two asked to be taken off the course because they could not cope with the scope of work, but 16 have remained on the programme.

He said, “I think we are heading in the right direction because, as I said, we have 16 (persons), including four females, and they are going strong as it is.” (Michel Outridge)