Mercmarine to bring in latest, most advanced engine simulator to Sri Lanka

Mercmarine Training is all set to embark on its latest venture in bringing state-of-the-art maritime training facilities to Sri Lanka. As such, the institute will inaugurate a marine engine room simulator, which is the latest version of ‘Transas’, model 5000 TECHSIM, full mission—slated to be the best and most advanced engine room simulator in the country. 

In line with this new project, Mercmarine Training has formed its own Marine Engineering Training department and will be introducing the full scope of marine engineering training programs, i.e. from Cadets to Marine Chief Engineers. They have invested in human resources, teaching aids, infrastructure and upgrading of the workshops to offer the best available training facilities for all levels of training.

All programs that Mercmarine Training offers will be as per the guidelines set by the Office of Director General of Merchant Shipping Sri Lanka and will exceed the minimum standards set by International Maritime Organisation on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. The assistance and advice they got from the Office of Director General of Merchant Shipping from the stages of planning to implementation had been a major factor that contributed immensely to the success of the project so far.

Mercmarine Training’s prize possession is the Full Mission Engine Room Simulator that has been installed in their City Campus in Colombo 10. After a careful study of the many available simulator solutions, they decided to procure the Transas Techsim ERS 5000, Full Mission Engine Room Simulator System, which is the most modern and advanced system on offer by Transas.  Transas is the global leader in Marine Simulation Solutions.

Their faculty which comprises of very experienced Marine Chief Engineers have undergone the Instructors Training under Transas Senior Expert Valery Eikhonov and are able to deliver the full scope of functions of the simulation system. Once, Mercmarine Training commissions the simulator, they intend to offer Engine Room Simulator courses that are mandatory for certificate of competency courses at both operational and management levels. In addition they will also offer Engine Room Team Management/ Engine Room Resource Management Courses. All these courses will have the approval of the Government of Sri Lanka and meet the International Maritime Organisation’s standards for training.

Furthermore, Mercmarine Training will be able to cater custom designed courses for ship owners and ship managing companies. “I am very pleased to say that one of the largest and well reputed ship owning and management company from Germany has positively indicated their willingness to train their engineer officers at our facility which in past was done in their own training centre in Germany,” said Mercmarine Training Principal Farrhath Thyib.

“Moreover, I believe that having a fully-fledged modern training facility will benefit Sri Lankan seafarers and also those who are aspiring to embark on this lucrative career. It also gives our maritime education and training industry more stature as a nation.”

 He further revealed, “Finally, I think it is worth mentioning/reminding that we are well known in Sri Lanka and internationally for our commitment to quality training and our new launching of marine engineering training will have the same values. Thus, who are trained by us will have great employability options, similar to all those who have undergone training in other maritime disciplines with us.”

Mercmarine Training, formerly Mercantile Seamen Training Institute (MSTI Galle), was founded in 1986 as the first privately owned maritime training institute in the country and now operates from No. 696/4, Maradana Road, Colombo 10 (opposite Ananda college) and No 02, Custom Road, Galle (adjoining the rampart). Mercmarine Training specialises in training and development of local youth in the fields of Navigational Officer Cadets, Engineering Officer Cadets, Deck Rating, Engine Rating and Catering Rating as an entry level for the seafaring profession. 

Particularly in the under Engineering, the courses offered include, Engineering Class III, Engineering Class II, Engineering Class I, Engine room management level and Engine room operational level. All courses offered are approved by the Director General’s Office of Merchant Shipping (DGMS) – Ministry of Ports and Highways of Sri Lanka who is the government-appointed single authority for all maritime related training in the country. The Training arm has also obtained the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Certifications from DNV and also operates as a City & Guilds (UK) approved training centre for its Catering and Housekeeping related training programs. For more information regarding Mercmarine Training please contact 011 7476100.