Young men from Aitutaki are on a pathway to further their maritime knowledge and skills by attending a Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) course, a globally recognised set of standards for sailors, in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Five mariners, Daniel Retire, Akai Tuakeu, Peter Nicholls, Tereuna Tuakeu and Pan Tuakeu (Skipper), present and future employees of Paradise Islands Limited, will be undertaking the New Zealand Maritime approved international course at the Deep-Sea Fishing School in Hokitika.

Brendan Smith, Paradise Islands technical manager, anticipates the mariners will return with qualifications that cover the work they undertake on board the company’s two vaka – Vaka Titiaitonga and Vaka Teariki Moana, and support sea craft.

“This is the first wave of youth we are sending over,” says Smith.

“We are determined to provide internationally recognised training to ensure our operations on Aitutaki Lagoon are staffed by well-trained and qualified Aitutakians.

“The lagoon is the island’s major asset and attraction and provides a logical career pathway for local men and women.”

The training is a part of the company’s direction in upgrading its technical crew, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry.

Pan Tuakeu recently qualified as a skipper through the SIS Training & Consulting, one of New Zealand’s leading training providers in the aviation, maritime and seafood industries, and will soon be followed by Daniel Tuakeu, who is completing the same course.

Paradise Islands Ltd, in conjunction with Nelson-based SIS, will continuously provide internationally recognised training courses for its staff to perform their jobs safely.

The STCW courses include basic safety training which ingrains foundational safety protocols, medical first aid/care, proficiency in survival crafts and rescue boats, proficiency in security awareness training, personal survival techniques, personal safety and social responsibility and firefighting and fire prevention (basic firefighting).