FOSMA MARITIME INSTITUTE AND RESEARCH ORGANISATION
(FMIRO)

Training Initiatives

Soon after the incorporation of Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA), it was realized by the Board of Directors and the Member Companies that the Association also needs to concentrate on competency building, skill development, education and training of the Indian Seafarers, both officers and Ratings, and to ensure that their training needs are suitably addressed. This was felt necessary so as to remain globally competitive as regards the training and competence standards of Indian Seafarers.

A) Restarting The Pre-Sea Training For Ratings:

Background: The Government of India had set up Training Ship Dufferin in 1927 at Mumbai for training of Nautical and Engineering Officers. Soon after independence in 1947, based on the recommendations of the Merchant Navy Training Board, it was decided to set up additional training institutions for the training of Engineers and Ratings. Accordingly, the Directorate of Marine Engineering Training was set up by Government of India in 1949 at Kolkata, and the Engineering training at T. S. Dufferin was discontinued.
Moreover, the Government of India set up THREE training Institutions for the Training of Ratings (of all departments, i.e. Deck, Engine and Catering), viz. Training Ship Bhadra at Kolkata, Training Ship Mekhala at Visakhapatnam and Training Navlakhi at Kandla.
However, as the years progressed, the output from these Ratings Training Ships could not find placement for on-board training as there was surplus of Ratings and the Indian Fleet was not growing at a pace to cope up with the output of these Training Institutes. Therefore, these Ratings Training Institutions were closed down by the Government.

Corrective Action: Soon after the incorporation of FOSMA in 1989, it was felt that the Indian Ratings available for working on foreign flag ships were of much higher age profile and not fully suited to cope up with the workload on ships with reduced man-power. Moreover, it was also essential to introduce programmes for their competence and skill enhancement.

Fosma’s Initiative: FOSMA entered into a collaboration agreement with the Mumbai Port Trust in 1991 to re-start the pre-sea Training of Ratings (Deck and Engine) at Mumbai Port Premises. A Younger Generation of Ratings were trained at this Institute and placed on board FOSMA Member Companies ships for ship-board training and employment. This brought in lot of commendations from foreign Employers who had a pre-conceived notion that Indian Ratings are Overage and Sluggish, and therefore, not suitable for their ships.
Further, FOSMA started the Skill Development Programme for the Ratings at the same Institute in 1992 in the form of Able Seamen’s Course and the Motormen’s Course. Later on, mandatory STCW Modular Courses for Ratings were also introduced at this Institute.

B) Making Maritime Education And Training Available At The National Capital Region:

Background: Prior to 1990s, the maritime training Institutions set up by the Government of India were located only at Mumbai and Kolkata. However, a sizeable number of seafarers, particularly in the Deck Department were hailing from North Indian States, located far away from the coast, ports, or the sea. All these seafarers were compelled to travel to Mumbai and stay there during their leave period to undergo the courses necessary for them to appear for the higher level Competency Examinations as well as the mandatory STCW Courses.

Corrective Action: FOSMA took up this matter with the Directorate General of Shipping and explained the difficulties being faced by the seafaring Officers from the Northern and Central Region of the Country. FOSMA stressed on the need to have the post-sea maritime education and training programmes to the officers from these regions at the National Capital Region.

Fosma’s Initiative: FOSMA set up a post-sea training institute at New Delhi in 1993. The first course to start was the revalidation course for masters, newly introduced by the government of India for continued professional development of sea-going masters. Subsequently, All competency courses for deck officers and engineers, tanker courses and other modular courses were also added.

BB) Eventually, FOSMA took it upon themselves to have an examination centre at Delhi and with concerted efforts of FOSMA and the DGS and MMD, Mumbai, the examination centre was started at Delhi in 2003.

(c) Global Maritime Distress And Safety System (GMDSS – GOC) Course

Background: With the entry into force of the amended to the SOLAS convention on 1st February, 1992 introducing the concept of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, it became essential that the officers have to be trained for GMDSS (GOC) Course. However till 1995, the government of India had not put any measures in place for this training and certification.

Corrective Action: FOSMA took the lead and approached Maritime and Coastguard Authority (MCA) of the United Kingdom and their specialized Radio agency to have MCA approved GMDSS training, examination and certification in India. This was the first ever arrangement of its kind.

Fosma’s Initiative: FOSMA had to directly import equipment from the manufacturers and set up four units for the GMDSS (GOC) Course, Two in Mumbai, One in Delhi and One in Kolkata. FOSMA were the pioneers for GMDSS training in India.

(d) IIPM- Fmiro Collaboration, Kolkata (now Called Indian Maritime University – Kolkata Campus)

Background: After having set up the post-sea Maritime Training Institute in northern India at New Delhi, FOSMA looked eastwards and observed that seafarers from the entire eastern and north eastern India had no place to go for attending the competency and modular courses, both in the nautical and engineering discipline. All of them were compelled to travel to Mumbai or Delhi to attend these courses during their leave period, away from their families.

Corrective Action: FOSMA took the lead and approached the Indian Institute of Port Management (IIPM), Kolkata, who were conducting the port management related courses at their premises but had sufficient surplus capacity available in terms of space and infrastructure to accommodate post-sea maritime courses.
Through Indian Institute of Port Management, FOSMA also approached the Kolkata port trust to lease an Inland Waterways Vessel to fit life-boats, davits, rescue boats, and life-rafts to conduct survival related training.
Further, the Airport Authority of India was approached to utilize their Fire Fighting Complex to conduct the Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting Courses, in a ship mock up.

Fosma’s Initiative: FOSMA’s collaboration agreement with Indian Institute of Port Management (IIPM) started in 1997 and we conduct all the Maritime Courses at the premises of IIPM on a fees sharing arrangement.
The personal Survival Techniques Course and the Proficiency in Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats Courses are conducted in Kolkata Port using the Training Ship where the Lifeboats, etc are fitted.
Moreover, the Fire Fighting Courses are conducted at the Airport Authority of India Fire Fighting Complex where the Ship mock up and other equipment have been fitted by FOSMA.

The institute conducts a total of 35 separate courses as of now, with the introduction of 8 new courses since 2013, viz.

1. Refresher Training in Personal Survival Techniques (PST) as per STCW 2010
2. Refresher Training in Proficiency in Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) as per STCW 2010
3. Refresher Training in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF – Basic) as per STCW 2010
4. Refresher Training in Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) as per STCW 2010
5. “Security Training for Seafarers with designated Security Duties” (STSDSD)
6. Refresher Training in Medical First Aid as per MLC 2006
7. Refresher Training in Medical Care as per MLC 2006
8. Upgradation Course for STCW’95 SSO Course to STCW 2010

(E) FOSMA Maritime Institute and Research Organisation – Kolkata

FOSMA on 15th February 2017 started a Maritime Training Institute at State of the art new premises in Sector V-Salt Lake, most sought after new localities in Kolkata; to upgrade, modernize and augment their training facility at Kolkata being run, since 1996, in collaboration with IIPM (now IMU-Kolkata Campus).
FOSMA Institute at Kolkata was inaugurated on 8th May, 2017 by the Director General of Shipping, in presence of representatives from International Transport-workers Federation (ITF), International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC), International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), All Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU), Maritime Union of India (MUI), National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kolkata, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Training Institutes from the region, Chairman, MASSA and the Member Companies of FOSMA.
FOSMA Kolkata is located in the Salt Lake area, a mere 20-minute drive from the city’s international airport, and spans a sprawling over 30,000 sq. feet. The contemporary state-of-the-art institute strives to provide quality education, training and certification in all post-sea Competency, Modular and Simulator-based courses, with highly experienced faculty, most of whom have teaching experience of over 15 years at the highest level.

Following courses are being conducted at the new premises as of now; while others are in the process of shifting from IMU-Kolkata Campus (IIPM).

(F) Training In Advance Fire Fighting At Mumbai

Due to paucity of seats for the Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting Courses, FOSMA approached the Maritime Institute of the Shipping Corporation of India at Powai in the heart of Mumbai to utilize their Fire Fighting Facility to conduct Second Batch of these courses on shift basis for FOSMA Member Companies’ seafarers. This arrangement continued for several years until the situation eased off.

(G) Training In PST & PSCRB At LBS College

Similarly, FOSMA conducted the training in Personal Survival Techniques and the Proficiency in Survival Crafts and Rescue Boats Courses in association with the Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research in South Mumbai.

(H) Fosma Maritime Institute And Research Organisation At Noida

FMIRO has restarted its training institute in Delhi region at Noida in 2012 (National Capital Region). This Institute is located on a 1360 sq.m. plot of land, with the built up area of the Institute building (Owned by FMIRO) being about 33,000 sq.ft including Parking Basement, Ground Floor plus four more floors. The Institute is conducting the following DGS approved courses as of today:

1. Second Mates (FG) Function Course
2. Chief Mates (FG) Phase I Course
3. Chief Mates (FG) Phase II Course
4. Master (FG) ASM Course
5. Upgradation Course for Masters and Deck Officers
6. ECDIS Course
7. Security Training for Seafarers with designated Security Duties (STSDSD)
8. Ship Security Officers (SSO) Course
9. Medical First Aid (MFA) Course
10. Medical Care (MC) Course
11. Refresher Training in Medical First Aid as per MLC 2006
12. Refresher Training in Medical Care as per MLC 2006
13. Upgradation Course for STCW’95 SSO Course to STCW 2010

Phase II – Work completed and courses are in full swing at the Institute with the following Simulators:
1. Full Mission Ship Manoeuvring Simulator (SMS)
2. Radar Observer and ARPA Simulator
3. Radar, ARPA and Navigation Simulator Course ((RANSCO)
4. Officer of the Watch (OOW) Simulator
5. Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator (LCHS) – Oil and Chemical
6. Full Mission Engine Room Simulator (ERS)

Phase III – We will be starting the GMDSS – GOC Simulator Course, Engineering and Tanker related courses in this phase on 4th Floor of the Institute.
The Institute has been awarded the highest Grade A 1 by Indian Register of Shipping on conclusion of the Comprehensive Inspection Programme instituted by the Directorate General of Shipping.

(I) Haldia Institute Of Maritime Studies

The Haldia Institute of Maritime Studies and Research in collaboration with FMIRO conducts 3-year B. Sc. Nautical Science Course affiliated to West Bengal Technical University and 1-year Diploma in Nautical Science course of Indian Maritime University.
The institute was graded “Very Good” by CRISIL – the independent rating agency appointed by DG Shipping. These cadets from Haldia are, additionally, trained at IIPM-FMIRO Collaboration at Kolkata in four basic safety courses & Basic Training in Oil tanker Operations. Familiarization training is also imparted to these cadets at IIPM in Radar Observation, ARPA and GMDSS to ensure that they are better prepared for the task ahead on their first ship.
Due to difficulties in shipboard placement for on-board training, the Institute has VOLUNTARILY not inducted any cadets for the 1-year Diploma in Nautical Science course of Indian Maritime University in the August 2012 and august 2013 batches.
The Institute has been awarded the Grade A 2 by Indian Register of Shipping on conclusion of the Comprehensive Inspection Programme instituted by the Directorate General of Shipping.

(J) FMIRO – Don Bosco Collaboration For Hands On Training For Ratings

Hands-on Skills Enhancement Programme for the deck and engine ratings is conducted at Don Bosco Maritime Academy, Kurla (West), which was formally inaugurated on 4th July 2011 by Dr. Shanti Patel, President – NUSI in the presence of Industry, Union and Government representatives. The aim of this programme is to improve shipboard performance, attitude and behaviour of the Ratings. This training also motivates them to be competitive with Ratings from other nationalities.
In addition to the Upgradation of training equipment and facilities at the Don Bosco Institute, we continuously review and upgrade the training programme.
So far, over 1200 Deck Ratings and over 1100 Engine Ratings of FOSMA Member Companies have been trained at Don Bosco by FMIRO.
Moreover, FOSMA Members have reserved seats at this Institute for the Hard Skills Training for Fitters and Cooks.
FOSMA Members also have 40% of the seats for the Skill Enhancement Programme being conducted by the Board of Examination of Seafarers Trust on behalf of the Maritime Training Trust of the DG Shipping.

(K) Sponsorship Of Trainee Marine Engineers By Member Companies

The Agreement between GRSE, Kolkata and FMIRO for Pre-sea training of TMEs was valid till 28 February 2015, for marine faculty support. Member companies of FMIRO could utilize upto 50 percent of TME slots at GRSE.
Similarly, the Member Companies can sponsor for upto 46% of the seats at Kochi Shipyard Training Institute, Kochi and Marine Engineering and Training Institute, Mumbai

(L) Implementation Of STCW Convention, As Amended In 2010 & Maritime Labour Convention 2006

In order to comply with the training requirements of STCW 2010 and Maritime Labour Convention 2006, several measures have been put in place in this year:

1. DGS Guidelines for approval of Institutes for ECDIS Course
2. Refresher Training in Medical First Aid as per MLC 2006
3. Refresher Training in Medical Care as per MLC 2006
4. Upgradation Course for STCW’95 SSO Course to STCW 2010
5. The frequency of “Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (STSDSD) Course at the Institutes has been enhanced from 48 to 96 courses in a year in order to clear the backlog of such training for seafarers.
6. The frequency of “Ship Security Officers (SSO) Course at the Institutes has been enhanced from 24 to 48 courses in a year in order to clear the backlog of such training for seafarers.
7. Our Director (Training) is the Chairman of the STCW 2010 Implementation Committee in India and we are trying to ensure as smooth a transition from STCW 1995 to 2010 as possible, as well as to meet the MLC training requirements. Members are kept informed of developments at all times.
8. The Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules have been promulgated on 30th July 2014 in the Official Gazette of the Govt. of India.
9. Similarly, the Directorate General of Shipping has published the Training, Examination and Assessment Programme (TEAP) giving details of the above.