The Maritime Studies Department of Orkney College UHI, known as the Nav School is to run a course for aspiring Skippers in the fishing fleet.

The Under 16.5 meter Fishing Skipper’s ticket is issued by Seafish and delivered in a series of short courses including such elements as Watchkeeping, Vessel Stability, Engineering and the more general background safety training which all fishermen have to attend. These elements are being offered during March and candidates may be eligible for funding from Seafish. Anyone wishing to attend needs to have been fishing commercially for two years or more.

The course being offered is for fishing skippers operating within 20 miles of a safe haven. It is planned to offer the next level, which covers operations beyond this, later in the year.

Mark Shiner, head of maritime studies said:

“We have a diverse and skilled team of lecturers delivering this course each specialising in the subject they are teaching and having many years of fishing experience between them. I am looking forward to us delivering this course on a regular basis and raising skill levels among younger fishermen and hopefully welcoming more into the sector.”

The Nav School offers the National 5 in Maritime Skills for school age students in S4, S5 and S6 with a view to encouraging young people to consider working at sea.

Course dates are as follows:

• 2 day Engineering 19^th and 20^th March.
• Fire Fighting for Fishermen 21^st March.
• Safety Awareness 22^nd March.
• Vessel Stability 23^rd March.
• 2 day Watchkeeping 4^th and 5^th April.
  

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