By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

Charkin Maritime Academy, CMA, a Port Harcourt based private maritime training institution, has unveiled three state-of-the art full mission free fall lifeboat simulators as part of effort to meet international standards.

Also, the institute revealed that it is in the process of completing the initial Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, accreditation of its Associate Certificate in Nautical Science and Marine Engineering.

A statement signed by the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charles Wami, said that relevant officials of NIMASA have visited the school for on-the-spot assessment and audit of its facilities to ensure that they are in line with international standards.

The statement added, “They are the first of its kind in Africa and the third in the world and they were recently acquired by CMA as part of its mission to continuously upgrade its facilities to meet international standards as stipulated in the various conventions and guidelines by the global maritime watchdog, International Maritime Organisation, IMO”.

Wami said that the centre was set up with the aim of delivering safety training to operators of the global maritime industry in general and the oil and gas sector in particular.

He revealed that the centre trainings are certified and accredited by local and international institutions including: NIMASA which has approved for the IMO STCW courses; Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC formerly known as Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR; OPITO; Oil and Gas Training Association of Nigeria, OGTAN; Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria, PETAN; among others.