Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has on Wednesday 29th of May 2024 issued Standard of Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW) certificates to fifty one seafarers at maritime house in Freetown.

STCW coordinator maritime Rajiv Gidwani declared the purpose of the ceremony as he said STCW basic mandatory courses had been prior to its commencement in April 2024.

He said the International Maritime Organization IMO established the Standard of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention with the goal of defining fundamental standards for international watch keeping, certification, and training of seafarers.

It lays out minimum requirements that nations must either meet or surpass for seafarers’ certifications, training, and watchkeeping.

Gidwani said the STCW Convention ( document) was the first international IMO convention he has looked at after being appointed.

In July 2021 Sierra Leone domesticated the STCW Convention into national law.

In 2023 Sierra Leone Maritime Administration signed an MoU with the Regional Maritime University in Ghana for the commencement of the five basic mandatory courses in Sierra Leone done as part of the MoU which dictates that the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration should provide air tickets, lodging, per diems and feeding for tutors from RMU and also the facilities to be used during this training. While on the other hand, the Regional Maritime University should provide the learning curriculum, tutors and the certificates for the participants.

Later in 2023, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration produced audio and video jingles announcing the start of the trainings and urging interested shipping companies, mining companies, or individuals to register with the Administration, he stated.

He continues that the jingles were broadcast on all major radio and television stations throughout the country.

The same was done on all major newspapers across the country and these adverts immediately captured the interests of several shipping companies, mining companies, government agencies including the Global Mercy Ships.

Moving forward, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) in partnership with the Regional Maritime University (RMU) commenced the five IMO Mandatory Basic Safety and Security training in Freetown, on the 2nd April, 2024.

Gidwani further said the trainings lasted for two weeks and was based on the International Maritime Organization.

(IMO)’s Mandatory Basic Safety and Security Courses is in compliance with the Standards of trainings, Certification and Watchkeeping STCW  as amended by section 78.

The trainings attracted 51 participants with different nationalities from different shipping companies, mining companies, government officials and other individuals being co-ordinated by SLMA with the aim of promoting seafaring among the youth of Sierra Leone.

He said 25 participants were from the Global Mercy Ships, 9 participants from the National Minerals Agency,8 participants from the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration,4 participants from the National Shipping Company,and 5 participants from the College of Business and Maritime Studies.

These 51 participants were shared in to two groups, 20 participants for week 1 and 31 participants for week 2 and the trainings were held at the Country Lodge Hotel, Rokel Fire Force Training Center and the Board room of the SLMA he stated.

The Executive Director Paul Sobba Massaquio was speaking during the ceremony and said the government of Sierra Leone had embarked on a pivotal journey to establish a significant presence within the STCW industry.

Evident in the fact that he had gone as far as getting an Indian to head the STCW department with the ambition to offer their own comprehensive range of maritime courses and educational programs in July 2021 to domesticate the standard of training, certification and watchkeeping STCW convention into law.

The Executive director said once Sierra Leone are categorized as STCW white list or an STCW approved country, Sierra Leone flag will hugely benefit and be able to issue its own certificate of competency certificate of proficiency together with its own seaman’s discharge books and appoint training centers in Sierra Leone and abroad.

He added while also establishing cooperation with Universities or academies in Sierra Leone and abroad establishing the first maritime University in Sierra Leone and most importantly giving our Sierra Leoneans seafarers graduates from Sierra Leone universities holding the opportunity to be placed on board vessels worldwide thereby creating new jobs for Sierra Leoneans significantly by increasing the country’s revenue, he said.

He further said over the years the exorbitant cost of airfare and living expenses abroad has made it difficult for Sierra Leoneans and other interested nationals resident  in the country to travel abroad to obtain and renew their standard of training certification and watchkeeping certificates.

He also stated that he look forward to the day that Sierra Leone will have its own maritime university and admiralty court and wish for the day maritime will be a ministry on its own to be able to harness, cultivate and promote the country’s Blue Economy.

He concluded by thanking their partners for their wonderful support.

Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebbie Aviation parliamentary committee chairman said that parliament will always give support in transforming the Transport and Aviation Ministry.

He thanked all participants saying as for the past fifty years Sierra Leone hadn’t seafarers.

He said the STCW will tap into the blue economy of Sierra Leone.

Deputy minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Rex Bona said this is a step in a right direction and promises for a creation and collaboration with respective ministries. He congratulated all participants and said their next move is to strive hard for them to be able to onboard the vessels.