A three-day refresher course for seafarers for safety on ships started this week held by the Tonga Maritime Polytechnic Institute (TMPI) at its waterfront facility in Nuku'alofa.

19 seafarers are taught by Captain Viliami Mafi who is based in Guam but volunteered his expertise while in Tonga.

Kalo Mafi, TMPI Officer-in-Charge said this Certificate of Competency includes proficiency in survival techniques, proficiency in survival in craft rescue boats, proficiency in survival in fire prevention and fire fighting and proficiency in survival in advanced fire fighting.

“Young seafarers are being trained by older and experienced seafarers so they could pass on their knowledge in times of disaster at sea.”

She said TMPI hopes to attract more experienced seafarers to take future training courses.

In addition, seafarers will learn how to don a life jacket and how to board and operate a capsized boat on Saturday, September 30.

Viliami said today's training was in firefighting proficiency showing seafarers the proper methods to put out fire when it breaks out onboard ship, especially within enclosed cabins.

Seafarers also learnt how to use safety firefighting equipment, among other skills.

The course continues next week.