Marine Institute overcharging for mandatory seafarer course, sailor says
Five-day course an expensive one to offer, says director safety and survival centre
A marine engineer from St. Brendan's is accusing the Marine Institute of trying to cash in on a mandatory emergency duties refresher course for seafarers.
Jon White has worked on ships for the past eight years, and is one of several thousand Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who will have to complete a five-day refresher course in basic safety, survival and firefighting before the end of next year.
But White became a little nauseous when he learned how much the course will cost at the Marine Institute's offshore safety and survival centre in Foxtrap.
Hundreds of dollars cheaper
He said $2,400 is too much, and that the same course at other institutions in Atlantic Canada can be accessed for hundreds of dollars less.
"It almost seems as though the Marine Institute now has this industry cornered in Newfoundland and Labrador. And as such they seem to be profiteering. Charging the course at a premium. It's outrageous," White said.
The mandatory refresher course is required for those working on ships and oil platforms, and must be renewed every five years.
The requirement was adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2012, but now there's a real scramble for seafarers to complete the course.
Mount Pearl company offering course
The offshore safety and survival centre is one of at least two locations in the province where the course can be completed.
Falck Safety Services in Mount Pearl will begin offering the course in January for $1,800, but the firefighting component must be completed in Nova Scotia, which is an added cost.
White said many of his fellow mariners are complaining about the cost. He said the marine industry, including the province's offshore oil sector, has been hit hard by layoffs.
"It's a bit of a catch-22 because if you're not working now, how can you afford $2,400? And at the same point if you can't come up with this money, well then you can't work. Without this course, your certification is invalid," he said.
Fred Anstey is the director at the offshore safety and survival centre.
He defended the price, saying it's very costly to offer the program because of the specialized equipment and instruction that is involved.
Anstey also denied that the Marine Institute, which is part of Memorial University, is trying to cash in.
He said these types of courses are offered on a cost-recovery basis, and the institute is preparing to ramp up its training in the coming months to ensure as many seafarers as possible can complete the program.
