Alternate Training Scheme

There is an increasing demand for trained marine engineers, in the wake of the present shortage. The many existing facilities in India for training of marine engineers (MERI, Apprentice Training Schemes of recognised marine workshops, Graduate Engineer Training Schemes of Shipping Companies in collaboration with marine workshops and others) cannot cope with the growing demands of the industry both in India and abroad.

Thus, following the guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Shipping - Government of India on Alternate Training Scheme for marine engineers, we started a course for Engineer Officer in Charge of a Watch (STCW Regulation III/4) on 1st September 1998.

The ATS course is an approved course for Engineer Officer in Charge of a Watch (STCW Regulation III/4) and is based on the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Model Course 7.04.

The course is very intensive and requires hard work and serious study. Only those students who are genuinely interested in Marine Engineering as a career should apply.

Brief Details about the Course

The Alternate Training Scheme for Marine Engineers basically follows the Model Course 7.04 of the IMO and is divided into phases:

Phase 1: Training in our Academy for 1 year, during which all subjects as per syllabus prescribed in Module 1 to 17 is covered.

Phase 2: Training on Board Seagoing Ships as Engineer Cadets for minimum 9 months as per Module 18.

Phase 3: Training in our Academy for approximately 12 months during which all subjects as per syllabus prescribed in Module 19 to 30 is covered.

At this stage the Engineer Cadets will have to pass the examination conducted by Mercantile Marine Department - Government of India (MMD), consisting of all the subjects covered under Class IV, Part “A” Examination.

Phase 4: Seagoing Service as Assistant Engineer Officer on Watch for 6 Months.

Phase 5: Preparatory Courses including Engine Room Simulator, AFF, PSC and Medical First Aid during a total period of approximately 3 Months.

After this, the Engineer Officer will have to pass Class IV, Part ‘B’ examination, before going back as Assistant Engineer or Engineer Officer on Watch.

Note: Sponsorship of shipping companies is an essential part of this training for the 2nd and 4th phase. The trainee has to undergo training on board a sea going vessel having a propulsive power of more than 750 KW. A shipping company has to agree to put him on one of the ships owned or managed by it. The Academy already has some seats in this course sponsored by shipping companies, the selection of which is done by us. These companies provide a valuable opportunity and an excellent career prospective to candidates and may expect reciprocal arrangement from the candidates they sponsor such as a bond to serve them for a few years, a refundable deposit or such similar measures. On the other hand, we also welcome candidates who have managed to get a sponsorship from a shipping company on their own, provided all the other entry criteria are met. From this year onwards, Varun Shipping has agreed to sponsor all the 20 candidates of ATS and hence conducting this course would be much easier.

Additional Information

• The Course is compulsorily residential and trainees reside in dormitories.
• Guidelines, rules and regulations of the Academy are given to selected candidates at the time of payment of the fees.
• The selected candidate and the parent will have to execute a bond, indemnifying the Academy in case of injury/death of the trainee, during training. They will also indemnify the Academy for any disciplinary action (if required) taken against the trainee.
• Physical fitness is a must for a marine engineer, and workouts/sports/ swimming are a part of the daily routine.
• As discipline is a must in order to achieve any goal, strict discipline is maintained in the Academy. Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations may lead to dismissal of a candidate, if the management deems it necessary. In such cases, there will be no refund of fees.
• The ATS course is not a Degree or a Diploma. We issue a certificate recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping, which serves as a qualifying document for Class IV Part Examination of Competency, conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department.