Penang South Islands (PSI) produces new seafarers

Penang South Islands (PSI) produces new seafarers

BAYAN LEPAS: Nine fishermen from south Penang Island have successfully passed the Marine Department’s seafarer’s course to become certified seafarers.

These fishermen are the first group to be offered the seafarer’s course under the Penang South Islands’ Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) scheme.

Their success was celebrated at a graduation ceremony organised by the Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) and project delivery partner SRS Consortium with the cooperation of the Marine Department at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Eureka Complex earlier this afternoon.

Deputy Chief Minister I Dato Ir Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman, who presented the Certificate of Competency (COC) to the fishermen, said their success in passing the seafarer’s test at the end of the course was in line with the State Government’s intention to create more jobs and business opportunities for fishermen under the SIMP scheme.

He said the PSI development by the State Government would not affect the livelihoods of fishermen and gave assurance that the project would bring progress to the south Penang Island community, especially the fishing community.

“After obtaining the seafarer’s license, these fishermen will have the qualifications to pilot passenger boats. From now onwards, they can provide water transportation services with licensed passenger boats to ferry up to 12 passengers.

“This water transportation service will be a necessity during the construction stage of the project. Here, the role of fishermen with seafarer licenses will be important.

“This opens up opportunities for them to find additional income that will benefit their families,” he said in his opening speech of the graduation ceremony.

The Domestic Mate < 500 GT (Open) course covers chartwork, rules and regulations, meteorology, general knowledge of ships and engineering, general training, and a Restricted Operator Certificate.

Those who pass the written assessment at the end of the course will sit for the oral test held by the Marine Department. After passing the oral test, they will earn the Certificate of Competency (COC), which will enable them to work as seafarers.

One of the new seafarers Haris Abdullah, 62, said he had finally achieved his dream of getting a seafarer’s license.

The senior citizen from Sungai Batu was among the first three veteran fishermen to pass the oral test at the Marine Department in April.

“It’s been 20 years since I first wanted to take this course. But I was worried about failing because many of my friends failed. I’m grateful I managed to pass with the others.

“The day I took that test was also the first time I wore formal attire with the tie my son bought me,” he said.

Fisherwoman Fajinah Jaafar, 61, said she almost gave up because the questions she was asked in the oral test were unexpected.

“I studied a lot after returning from the sea to prepare for this test, but the questions were unexpected.

“Fortunately, the examiner allowed us to keep trying until we got the right answers. I’m
very relieved and happy to pass,” she said.

Another fisherman, Loo Tang Nee, 42, from Gertak Sanggul, said his goal for the year had been achieved with his success in becoming a seafarer.

“With this seafarer’s license, I can get extra income in the future,” he said.

The Marine Department’s northern region director Tuan Haji Mohd Hafiz Bin Abdul Majid lauded the nine fishermen for their tenacity in studying and passing the test to earn the COC, adding that he hoped more fishermen would be interested to take the seafarer’s course.

Also present at the ceremony were PIC chief executive officer Dato’ Sri Farizan Bin Darus, training provider Akademi Maritim Penjana Ilmu Sdn Bhd managing director Mohamad Nazir Bin Hamzah, and representatives from related agencies and SRS

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