1 November, 2007

SHETLAND is reclaiming its reputation for producing top class seamen with the first ever merchant navy cadets coming out after qualifying at the island's nautical college.

The seven cadets are now fully trained officers after completing their three year courses, the first to be run by the Shetland School of Nautical Studies (SNSS) at Scalloway's NAFC Marine Centre.

Demand for new recruits in the merchant navy is so strong that two cadets could not appear at their graduation ceremony because they had to report on board ship this week.

The seven young men finished their courses with an oral examination by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to become Officers of the Watch with an HND in either nautical science or mechanical engineering.

SSNS head of school Jan Rigden said the merchant navy courses had been initially set up to "maintain maritime expertise" in Shetland, as the number of college recruits from the fishing industry was falling.

"We wanted to ensure that the facilities required to train and educate future fishermen and merchant navy officers were retained in Shetland," Mr Rigden said.

Engineering section leader Duncan Kidson said the cadet programme was growing along with its reputation amongst sponsors and shipping companies. "We are well known and appreciated for our small classes, caring attitude and our ability to delivery quality training," he said.

The school currently has 60 cadets, with an intake of 24 who started in September. The first seven to qualify are all Shetlanders. Now the islands make up half the total number, the rest coming from elsewhere in the Highlands and Islands.

Deck cadet Keir Nowak said after three years he now wanted to work up to a master's ticket at the college.

Fellow cadet Keith Henderson said he could now sail on any ship as an engineer. "The course has certainly been valuable and means now that the world is my oyster," he said.