#CourseDispute - A top maritime college’s dispute with Irish marine authorities over the approval of sea survival refresher training has reached the High Court, as the Irish Examiner reports.
The National Maritime College of Ireland, under the Cork Institute of Technology, argues that the refusal by Transport Minister Shane Ross to approve its refresher courses could see it facing claims for almost €1 million in course fees.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, all commercial mariners were required to have completed a programme of mandatory refresher training in basic sea survival by the start of this year.
But the NMCI claimed a submission it made in early 2015 for its relevant courses — provided in a joint venture with SEFtec Global Training Ireland Limited at a cost of €800 per individual — was not approved by the department, putting jobs at risk.
Now that joint venture, SNO, is making a legal challenge against the Department of Transport’s refusal to recognise its certificates — noting that a recent Marine Notice regarding ‘approved’ training is “wholly irrational” and allegedly breaches EU regulations.
The Irish Examiner has much more on the story HERE.
