Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre Launches 2nd Mate's Course in Mumbai

PHOTO: Mr.Chatterjee in the Liquid Cargo Simulator lab with Capt. Chawla Francis Akkara and Capt. Khushroo Mistree

June 17th, 2013 marked the achievement of a big milestone for Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre (AEMTC) at  Andheri, Mumbai Anglo-Eastern is the first ship management company in India to commence Post sea competency course. The inauguration of the Second Mates Function Course was carried out at its Mumbai premises by none other than the Director General Of Shipping, Mr. Gautam Chatterjee.  Anglo Eastern Ship Management has been successfully running the Second Mates Function Course at their Delhi Training centre since the last two years and has recorded an enviable pass percentage of 95% and now it’s the turn of the Mumbai centre to continue providing high quality training and guidance to the future Indian officers.   Present on this occasion were the Chief Guest Mr. Gautam Chatterjee (DG Shipping), Capt. Pradeep Chawla  ( Managing Director, Quality Assurance and Training AESM  Group), Capt. Vinay Singh,  Managing Director, AESM India ), Capt. K.N.Deboo  ( Director and Principal,  AEMTC ), Mr. Francis Akkara (Vice-Principal and Sr. General Manager, AEMTC), various Faculty and Staff, as also the candidates for the II-Mates Course.

To start the event, Mr. Francis Akkara welcomed the Chief Guest and the other dignitaries gracing the event. He mentioned, AEMTC has many “the firsts” to his credit. Some of the important ones being, the MAN BW Electronic Engine training in  India, which is the first in Asia, Marflex Electrical Deep well pump systems, another first in Asia, DNV SeaSkill certified Ship’s Electrical Officers course, including high voltage system etc… he added.  This followed the lighting up of the Lamp by the Chief Guest Mr. Chatterjee, other dignitaries and followed by the recital of the Saraswati Vandana to invoke the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.

Capt. Vinay Singh was the next speaker, and he gave an invigorating talk on how and why Anglo Eastern has always felt the need to control the quality of its sea staff, and hence its constant endeavor to train its seafarers at all levels, from inception as a fresh cadet right up to a master and chief engineer, further going on to superintendent and auditor training. He mentioned AESM follows the building block principle to educate our Officers to make the foundation strong to mould good quality Officers. This has resulted in Anglo-Eastern setting up a Cadet Pre-Sea training  Academy and post sea training centres in Mumbai and Delhi. It has one of the best faculty and uses   various advanced training methods and state of the art Teaching Aids. .

Thereafter Capt. Deboo spoke about the  illustrious journey and stupendous growth of AEMTC from humble beginnings  to its present mammoth size, both in terms of space, the wide variety of courses conducted by it, as also about the advancement in technology and automation being used in training at the Training Centre.  He took the audience through various details and aspects of the Second Mates Course as well and impressed upon the cadets (Anglo-Eastern’s future officers) that the course will be rigorous with the expectation that all the participants will pass the II-mates exam in the first attempt with flying colours. He also mentioned a few prestigious awards AESM Training division received acknowledged by national and International organisations, like Sea Trade, Lloyd lists etc..

After that, Mr. Gautam Chatterjee did the honors of inaugurating the course by cutting the ribbon on the courseware (a three volume set) and expressed his happiness and satisfaction over the progress, dedication and commitment shown by Anglo Eastern towards its efforts on maritime Education and Training.  He gave a vital advice to the student that “professionalism in your entire career must be the trump card”. The professionalism will take you to heights and will bring up the Indian seafarers name in the International crew market. He also thanked AESM for taking a step towards conducting the second mate’s competency course and expressed his desire, the organization takes control of the entire educational path of Deck Officers and Engine Officers to mould the Indian Seafarers more competitive in the International market and continue maintaining the high reputation the Indian Officers .

Capt. Pradeep Chawla, then gave a highly motivational talk to the cadets,  and spoke about the Second Mate’s Course.  He explained to all how important good training at the very start of one’s career is, as it helps build a strong foundation of good human values and soft skills, as well as technical knowledge and expertise in one’s tasks, all of which ensure a really bright future ahead. He also advised the young boys that a strong foundation of basics, which will go hand in glove for building up skill and competence. He mentioned, Knowledge, competence and skill both professional and human resource related are necessary to achieve professionalism. He also thanked Director General of Shipping Mr. Chatterjee for taking out his valuable time amidst his busy and demanding schedule.

The culmination of the programme  was a tour of the entire Anglo Eastern Maritime Training Centre by the Chief Guest to witness various facilities and the specialized training equipment installed at AEMTC.

The inaugural batch of Second Mates Competency course thus started with 24 cadets,  all having completed their Pre-Sea training from Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy at Karjat, and their seatime on Anglo-Eastern ships .