Students on the NMIT Superyacht course recently got to experience the process of inflating a life raft, gifted by Glen Andrews from Centreport in Wellington.

Centreport changed life raft suppliers recently and this RFD life raft had become surplus to requirements.

Glen is a Tug Master and is currently assigned to the ASD Tug Tiaki at Centreport. He obtained permission from Marine Manager Josh Rogers and chose to donate the raft to a good cause.

“Seeing as how we have a strong affiliation with NMIT and use the Maritime School for a large proportion of our training requirements, we thought you would appreciate the raft and put it to ongoing good use,” says Glen.

Glen says he has done many courses over the years with NMIT and always found the facilities, tutoring and administration staff to be helpful.

“Logistically, managing renewal courses and being at sea can be difficult,” he says.

The raft will be used for all future maritime training courses as a demonstration model in the classroom.

Students are required to complete Basic Safety Training (STCW) as part of the Certificate in Superyacht Crewing, a 12-week programme that features world-class learning facilities, thanks to Nelson’s boat culture and thriving port.

The programme not only offers multi-day yacht trips through Sail Nelson, but training on the only purpose-built 3-storey maritime firefighting facility in the country.

Students make connections with professional yacht recruiters and may walk into employment after completing the certificate.

Charlie Squance, maritime academic staff member at NMIT is grateful for the gift of the life raft.

“The life raft is a valuable contribution, and our tutors and students are certainly going to make the most of,” he said.

“It is wonderful to have such strong connections within the maritime industry.”

The next intake for the Certificate in Superyacht Crewing is in September.