Full house and 100% pass rate for UHI Orkney maritime course

UHI Orkney’s Maritime Studies department celebrated a full course and a 100% pass rate for its latest Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Ratings course last month.

Eight candidates successfully completed the intensive week-long course at the Nav School in Stromness, which has been training local seafarers since 1967. Known throughout the maritime industry as the “EDH”, the course is typically run once or twice a year, with additional courses added in response to demand.

To begin a career at sea, candidates must first complete four mandatory basic safety courses, all of which are available in Stromness. Following six months of sea service and onboard qualifications, they can progress to the EDH course, which concludes with practical and oral examinations overseen by experienced local master mariner Captain Willie Tulloch.

The course was delivered by David Leask, a North Sea master mariner who has taught at the Nav School since 2011.

Mark Shiner, Curriculum Leader for Maritime Studies, said:

“The EDH course was one of the first programmes we restarted after the Nav School nearly closed in 2011, and David Leask was the first person from the local seafaring community to join the new team at that time.

“The courses we run are vital in enabling local young people to begin careers at sea, while also helping experienced seafarers maintain their qualifications. Without local provision, the additional costs associated with travel, accommodation and staff cover can be significant. We recently calculated that attending a one-day Sea Survival course elsewhere, which costs £180 locally, could incur more than £2,000 in additional expenses.

“It is incredibly encouraging to see a full course with all candidates passing, particularly with seven of them currently working for Orkney Ferries.”

The successful candidates can now progress to additional training in operating ships’ lifeboats, also delivered in Stromness, before accruing a further 18 months of sea time to qualify as Able Seafarer Ratings.

The lifeboat training rig on Stromness’ Pole Star Pier is currently being refurbished with support from Orkney Ferries and the Orkney Islands Council Offshore Energy Fund.

The Nav School hopes to run at least two further EDH courses later this year.