A Bermudian-based shipping company has become the first corporate sponsor of a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping Bermudians to find a career at sea.

Cool Company Limited, an LNG shipping company, has offered the Bermuda Maritime Academy a $10,000 donation to help it to offer on-island training opportunities.

Cyril Ducau, the chairman of the board of CoolCo and CEO of Eastern Pacific Shipping said: "CoolCo is pleased to support the Bermuda Maritime Academy and its mission to develop rewarding and meaningful careers at sea for Bermudians.

“We also hope to open a dialogue with the Academy about potential internship and cadet programme opportunities on board vessels managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping."

Neil Glass, a Bermuda based independent CoolCo director added: "We hope that the Bermuda Maritime Academy is able to help Bermuda build on its rich maritime legacy by assisting interested Bermudians in pursuing maritime careers.”

Mike Winfield, the chairman of the Bermuda Maritime Academy, said the body, which launched in September, has already begun to offer the five basic STCW courses.

The STCW course is made up of five components covering fire training, first aid, survival techniques, personal safety and social responsibility. It is a basic standard for many seafaring positions that has not previously been available on island.

“The next time these courses will be offered will be in February,” Mr Winfield said.

“These courses are the entry level to anyone seeking a maritime career. In essence, if you wish to serve on a ship at sea, you must have current STCW certification.

“Now Bermudians can get access to this training without enduring the cost and inconvenience of going abroad for certification.”

Mr Winfield said the STCW training and certification are just the first courses offered by the non-profit, which is working closely with the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority and the Department of Marine and Ports.

He added that the body was “immensely grateful” for the support of CoolCo, and that it hoped to announce scholarships, along with the creation of a resource library, in the near future.

“We also aim to provide introductions to aspiring Bermudians to companies that are seeking seaman for their fleets,” Mr Winfield said.

“CoolCo’s generosity and interest in the Bermuda Maritime Academy is the first partnership with the maritime commercial world for us and we look forward to working with them, and others, to further our objectives for Bermudians.”

For more information about the academy and courses on offer, visit bermudamaritimeacademy.com.