Officers of the Department of Marine and Ports Services completed a three-week training course at Dockyard this week in coastal navigation, meteorology and navigational safety.

Petty Officer Adrian Stout, from Polytechnic in Barbados, who has been with the Barbados Coast Guard for almost 20 years offered the 120-hour course which was sponsored by the Bermuda National Training Board.

"The seas were a little rough, but despite the conditions, the men completed the course in good time and were very successful," he said.

The 15 officers included ferry captains, engine drivers, bosun mates, leading seamen and seamen.

They were presented with certificates by the Executive Officer of the Bermuda National Training Board, Michael Stowe.

The men include Captain Ishta Nupa Paynter, Captain Albert J. Easton, Captain Dwayne M. Pearman, Paul Trew, Norman Smith, Demian Tucker, Kareem Hollis, Akil Lambert, Justin Brookes, Stewart Card, Byron Joyiens, Calvin Lynch, Earlston A. Thompson, Troy Hewey and Jerome Robinson.

Mr. Robinson, Marine Services Officer, said that a similar, internationally-recognised course would be offered at the end of March which would be open to the public, Bermuda Regiment's boat troop as well as Marine Police. Mr. Stout will be returning to Bermuda to offer this course.