Stornoway seafarer Sam is onboard for new online training

A new maritime training company is offering seafarers in remote locations support to study for professional exams without spending time and money on attending college courses.
Seafarer Sam Macleod, said: “I would highly recommend Onboard Maritime to any seafarer looking to study and progress their career."Seafarer Sam Macleod, said: “I would highly recommend Onboard Maritime to any seafarer looking to study and progress their career."
Seafarer Sam Macleod, said: “I would highly recommend Onboard Maritime to any seafarer looking to study and progress their career."

Experienced Master Mariner and senior nautical studies lecturer Angus Ferguson has launched virtual learning platform Onboard Maritime.

“Until now you have had to go to college or a similar course to study for Marine and Coastguard Agency qualifications” explained Angus.

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“Not only can this be expensive for students and employers in terms of course fees, but also in terms of time off work and lost earnings as well as accommodation and living costs if there is no course close to where you live.

“This can be particularly problematic if you live somewhere like the Western Isles. The area has a relatively high percentage of people working in the maritime industry, but it can be really expensive and inconvenient both for maritime professionals and their employers to attend college on the mainland,

“But Onboard Maritime allows students to access all the course materials they need online leading up to exams so they can learn wherever and whenever they want.

“Course materials can be downloaded so that you can learn at your own pace and convenience.

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“And there are instructor-led virtual classes, but students can also contact an instructor if there are any areas they don’t understand or need extra help with.”

Stornoway seafarer Sam MacLeod has just passed his latest professional exam after signing up to study with Onboard Maritime.

Sam, who is a Third Officer with Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries, gained the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Mate Oral qualification.

He said: “These exams are the standard for the whole maritime industry in the UK so I’m delighted to have passed. It took a lot of hard work, but it’s certainly paid off.

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“I came across Onboard Maritime while looking at options for study before sitting my Chief Mate Orals. I work a 2 weeks on/off rota which made college-based study between trips difficult.

“Also, living in a remote island community makes travel and accommodation to and from a college for this study difficult, time-consuming and expensive.

“The distance learning model used by Onboard Maritime through their online platform allowed me to study both in my down time at sea and on my leave while at home.

“I would highly recommend Onboard Maritime to any seafarer looking to study and progress their career. Their innovative and professional approach to learning is a real game changer for the industry.”

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Onboard Maritime founder Angus added: “We’re delighted to be helping Sam gain his qualifications and progress his career.

“Until now you have had to go to college or a similar course to study for maritime industry exams.

“But Onboard Maritime allows students to access all the course materials they need online leading up to exams so they can learn wherever and whenever they want.

“Being at sea for long periods can leave you with time on your hands when you’re not on shift, but downloading a course in advance or when you have internet access means that you can use the time effectively to study for professional exams without having to take any time off work or be stuck to a rigid class timetable.”

Find out more at: www.onboardmaritime.com/

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