Initially, the training center only offered domestic training courses for the apprentices of Medallion Transport Inc., a Cebu-based shipping company plying the route from Cebu City to other destinations in Leyte, Bohol, and Dipolog City.
Since it already has the necessary infrastructure, the management decided to expand into STCW-approved training courses and offered them to everyone seeking domestic or international employment, said Atty. Ricardo Labial Jr., the training center's President.
The STCW requirements aim to enhance safety by focusing on all seafarers' professional competence, physical fitness, and technical skills to conduct the ship from the port of origin to the port of destination.
Aside from strict observance of international and national maritime safety laws, seafarers also have to be able to respond to emergencies through training in firefighting, damage control, vessel and personnel security, inclement weather evasion, and lifeboat operation.
According to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the mandatory training courses for seafarers under the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, include basic training on personal survival techniques, fire prevention, and firefighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities as well as refresher courses.
Atty. Ricardo P. Labial, Jr., President (right), and Therese M. Fulache, Training Director (left), the management team of Central Visayas Maritime Training and Review Center, Inc.
MARINA has granted the Certificate of Accreditation No. MTI-COA-2023-009 to CVMTRC, which is valid until February 22, 2033. MARINA also issued a Certificate of Accreditation approving the courses: Basic Training, Security Awareness Training, and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties Refresher Course on Basic Training and Medical First Aid, valid until February 22, 2033.
The training center also received ISO certification through the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) before it applied for accreditation as a maritime training center in the MARINA.
Atty. Labial said the courses would enable their trainees to acquire the ability to respond to different situations.
Practical Exercises for Basic Training - Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
He said that Basic Training is the required entire course for all seafarers under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It provides basic knowledge and skills to ensure seafarers' and vessels' safety and security. The course typically includes four modules, namely: Personal Survival Technique (PST), Fire Prevention and Firefighting (FPFF); Elementary First Aid (EFA); Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (PSSR).
Practical Exercises for Basic Training - Personal Survival Techniques
Seafarers who have completed the Basic Training program must take the Refresher on Basic Training once every five years.
Training in Medical Emergency First Aid is crucial to ensuring the health and safety of seafarers and passengers onboard vessels. On the other hand, the Security Awareness Training for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (SAT-SDSD) is for seafarers who have specific security duties on board ships, such as personnel responsible for the ship's security, monitoring security equipment or implementing security measures as part of their job roles.
CVMTRC can assure seafarer trainees that their training complies with international standards.
Ms. Therese Fulache, CVMTRC training director, said they ensure the trainers maintain the training standards.
"Under our Quality Management System, we review our training courses yearly," Ms. Fulache said.
She added that the training centers will also do item analysis of test questionnaires to check if there's a need to improve a particular question.
"We are required to have documented evidence that we conducted the review. The calculation is based on scores of students who took the tests," Ms. Fulache said.
She explained that theoretical classes are conducted at their facility at Ong Kin King Building, Pier 4, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.
On the other hand, practical training is held at their 6,000-sq.m.-facility in Tuyom, Carcar City.
The Carcar facility also has a large swimming pool of 27x18 meters and 5 meters deep for practical training. The pool size is bigger than the required 25 by 15 meters.
When CVMTRC started operations in 2016, it offered training courses for domestic seafarers. These include Crowd and Crisis Management, Deck Watch, Engine Watch, and the Prevention of Alcohol and Drugs in the Maritime Sector (PADAMS) with HIV.
CVMTRC has nine classrooms that can accommodate up to 24 students per class, the maximum number allowed by MARINA. Aside from theoretical classes, the training center has facilities for hands-on training in various courses, including a swimming pool.
Atty. Labial said that the classrooms are compliant with MARINA regulations. Each classroom has CCTVs so that MARINA can monitor classes and ensure that the students physically attend the required training.
Since they are ISO certified and accredited by MARINA-STCW, the management guarantees that the training they receive is compliant with international standards.
For inquiries, check their Facebook Page – Central Visayas Maritime Training and Review Center Inc. or call 09176308635 or send an email to centralvisayasmaritime@gmail.com
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