KAREN EARNSHAW
Twenty-two students in the College of the Marshall Islands Maritime Vocational Training Center last week moved up to the highest level in their three semester course and are now interns on the SV Juren Ae, which arrived in Majuro at the end of July.
According to Ben Vroom, training instructor and temporary captain of the Juren Ae for the voyage from the South Korea shipyard, the 22 students are very motivated and excited to be doing hands-on training as well as continuing to study in the classroom.
As they move up their career ladder, a new group of students this Monday began their first semester, during which they will improve their English and math skills. “We only have six students so far, but we’re always looking for more,” Ben said.
Ben, who was born in the Netherlands and has been working with and in Kiribati for over 15 years, is joined at the training center by instructor Hugo Bugoro, from the Solomon Islands. The goal is for the students to achieve a certificate in watch keeping for the bridge and the engine room.
“We are training seafarers to be able to get a license to work on ships, including international ships,” Ben said. “We call this their ‘rating’. The course also includes fire fighting, first aid, and personal survival at sea.”
The Juren Ae is the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation’s only vessel that is registered for working in international waters. “We could, for example, provide aid to neighboring countries in an emergency, or simply service other nations: There is an enormous shortage of cargo capacity in the region. For example in Kiribati the Line Islands, in the eastern part of the country, is always in need of shipping services.”
Ben added that the Shipping Corporation is building a green fleet. “The SV Juren Ae and its sister ship SV Tarmelu are the first two in this plan for more planet-friendly vessels.”
Interning on the Juren Ae will offer the students a healthy challenge as its two captains Teitera Turei and Steven Tawake show them the ropes.
“These guys will rotate as captains between Juren Ae and the Tarmelu.”
High school graduates can apply for a position in the Maritime Vocational Training Center program by contacting the College of the Marshall Islands on 625-3843 and asking to speak to either Monica Gordon or Carlton Gideon.
The first woman to work on board a Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation vessel is Maritime Vocational Training Center trainee Lina Harry. She is pictured on board the Juren Ae with fellow interns Kiano Peralta, and Tony Freddy at Mili Atoll earlier this week.
Shipping Corporation General Manager Danny Wase proudly told the Journal this week: “Yes, Lina is the first woman to be working on one of our ships.” He added that all of the interns will have the possibility of becoming employees.
“We are very pleased to have a woman on board. Her presence and courage will encourage other women to join the shipping industry.”