Students in the maritime training class comprises of local residents from the West End community, along with Police officials and Ginn Security officers. Kennedy Lightbourne, a former defense force officer, is the instructor of the STCW course.
WEST END, Grand Bahama -- Dating back to September 2009, the Ginn West End Foundation has provided sponsorship for several skill training courses with the express purpose of creating and training local entrepreneurs. It is hoped that the continued development of the skills in which these courses are offered, will positively impact the domestic and tourist retail markets.
Working in tandem with the West End City Council and Chairman of the West End Township, Jerreth Rolle, and in co-operation with the Bahamas Training and Vocational Institute [BTVI], courses in Basic Electricity, Plumbing and Tiling have been offered. Due to enthusiasm amongst the students, further intermediate training is now being offered.
Other venues are being explored as well. A Jewelry and Straw Bag Fabrication Workshop was conducted last fall, with the assistance of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, with the focus of “teaching to create entrepreneurs.” The final quality of the product was excellent and is very promising. The Ginn West End Foundation sponsored a second workshop in March when the interest in the course proved overwhelming; it achieved similar success.
It is with attention to Grand Bahama’s growing maritime industry that a navigational training course is now being offered. To date, the Master’s License “A” and “B” training has also proven incredibly helpful and appreciated by residents.
The “B” License is obtained first, which permits one to operate a vessel up to 100 feet in length and within a 30 mile radius of your port; one must be holder of a “B” Class License to sit the “A” Class exams. Instructions for a “B” Class License include – rules of the road (COLREG); chart plotting and basic navigation (coastal); weather patterns in The Bahamas; seamanship and small boat handling; introduction to the standard of training; certification and watch keeping for seafarers (STCW); first aid and firefighting.
The holder of an “A” Class License must first be issued a license with restrictions to 100 tons. The “A” Class permits the licensee to transport passengers from one port (inter-island) to the next. The corresponding course(s) teach proper navigational skills, the calculation of fuel consumption and the use of international rules of the sea.
Each license is valid for one (1) year and must be renewed annually.
As the West End community is historically known as a fishing village, it is a gratifying to witness many of the residents expanding their marine knowledge to encompass this broadened navigational training they are receiving in the courses.
Morton Wilchcombe commented on the first phase of the licensing course and observed, “What I really liked about the course was being able to plot from one point to another. By looking at certain points on the map and being able to say that you left this point at a particular time and at a particular speed, you then know what time you are supposed to be at point B.”
Randolph Burrows added, “I am on the sea and it helps me in case of an emergency. I now know how to plot the course, how long it will take me to get from one from place to another, and I can correctly calculate the amount of fuel I need in order to get back safely.”
Lenwood Neely a fifteen year unlicensed Captain offered, “I wanted to take the next step in order to broaden my horizon. I enjoyed the whole course; some things I knew and others I did not. I feel as though I can now handle situations that arise more confidently.”
It is hoped that not only will these courses add to the safety practices of our local mariners but will serve to encourage those mariners who have expressed an interest in establishing themselves as inter-island fishing guides, to pursue that goal.
The Ginn West End Foundation proudly supports and sponsors this work and has been excited to be part of the further skill development of both local mariners and entrepreneurs interested in the future of Grand Bahama Island.
