Marine fitters are essential for the maritime industry, as they are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and installation of various mechanical systems and equipment on marine vessels. They play a crucial role in ensuring smooth operation and safety of the ship’s machinery, including engines, pumps, valves, and other mechanical systems that keep ships and other vessels safe & operational.

We are aware that currently in the maritime industry, there is a growing demand for high quality fitters, which is why IMEC has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Union of Seafarers in India (NUSI) to establish a pilot structural marine fitter course, which will see IMEC Members put forward existing prospective ratings that would be eligible to undertake six weeks of training to be provided with the skills necessary to work onboard as a marine fitter.

The training would be conducted at the NUSI Offshore Training Institute (NOTI) in Maharashtra, India which will be able to hold a maximum capacity of 36 candidates per course.

The course will cover the essential elements necessary to work onboard as a marine fitter including the following disciplines:

• Machinery Maintenance
• Fitting skills including Hacksawing, Marking and cutting, rivet gun use, plumbing work including gasket making and carpentry jobs.
• Lathe skills including, lathe tools, lathe operation such as facing, Turning, Taper turning, Step turning, Grooving, Knurling, Parting, “V” Threading, square threading, Internal & Step Drilling, Pipe
• Boring, Pipe Facing Bevelling and MS Flange making etc.
• Gas cutting
• Plasma cutting
• Welding practice (SMAW Fillet up to 4F position)
• SMAW Groove welding up to 3G levels.

General safety related to all the practical work on board and in particular to fitting, lathe and machining, including welding tasks.

The program is designed as a combination of lecture and practical sessions at NUSI Offshore Training Institute classroom & workshops. The batch would be split into three groups to undergo the practical training as listed below, each one including a thorough assessment of theoretical and practical aspects.

To be eligible for this course, members ratings must meet the following requirements:

• Candidates will be required to have completed a mandatory approved General-Purpose Ratings programme.

• A minimum of six months sailing experience.

Course dates are as follows:

• January 15th 2024 *Course Finished*
• July 15th 2024

Members are advised that the first course held on the 15^th of January will be held free of charge for all Members as a courtesy of this being a new initiative.

Following this every course after this will be at a heavily discounted rate and only involve covering lodging and subsistence of $14 per day per candidate, meaning a total cost, per candidate of $588.

For IMEC Members wishing to apply please complete the form linked below.

Members who have any further questions regarding this training programme should send an email to either Rob Gale (Rob.gale@imec.org.uk) or IMEC Training (Training@imec.org.uk).