Britona maritime school to get world-class touch

PANAJI: The ports department will soon issue a ‘request for proposal’ from consultants for the selection of a financial consultant-cum-transaction advisor for redeveloping the maritime school at Britona to world-class standards. The project will be undertaken by the PPP cell of the Goa government.
Public-private partnership (PPP) cell director Ameya Abhyankar told TOI that the ports department has a maritime school at Britona which trains people in seamanship and marine engineering.The department now hopes to redevelop the school to world-class standards. The consultant to be appointed will develop a financial model; help in the bidding process and in awarding the project.
Captain of ports James Braganza said that among other things, the courses will be updated to meet STCW conventions (standards of training, certification and watch keeping). The updated courses will include courses on safety, training for firefighting, survival at sea, medical emergencies, safety of oil tankers, liquid cargo handling, etc. Courses pertaining to seafarers on cruise liners will also be included. “One of the advantages is that the school will be on the riverbank and this will help impart practical training. Once the institute comes up, Goans need not go to Mumbai or other parts of the country for training,” Braganza said.
Since Goa is a coastal state with numerous inland waterways, the government hopes to make it a leading centre for maritime studies to fully realize the potential it holds. The aim of the maritime school is to provide maritime education on the lines of global maritime institutes. The school will follow international best practices in terms of curriculum and other standards. It is expected to attract world-renowned faculty and top class students. The present maritime school at Britona was build over 40 years ago and is in a dilapidated condition.