The National Sea Training Centre
www.nwkcollege.ac.uk/nstc

The National Sea Training Centre at Gravesend evolved from the merchant navy pre-sea college when it was absorbed by North West Kent College.

The centre is approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and runs predominately short courses including those covered by STCW 95 regulations. Training can be given either in a variety of subjects such as seamanship, navigation, marine engineering, radio, radar and electronics or as required for a particular qualification including Boatmaster, Certificates of Competency or MCA Yacht Certification. STCW 95 safety courses encompass training in first aid, fire fighting, sea survival and personal safety.

In addition the college is an RYA approved centre and as well as running the shore based courses both as an evening class and as intensive training we run the full range of RYA short courses usually at weekends. We have run a number of prototype fire-fighting courses specifically aimed at fire prevention and fire fighting on small vessels.

The college lecturers are predominately time served ships officers and as such have considerable marine experience and expertise which can be utilised either by the college in the design of courses or by the students to develop their own seafaring skills.

As a comparatively small marine college the centre has the advantage of being able to assist individuals with the design of a suitable training programme or courses can be specifically developed for a particular group of individuals, organisations or sailing clubs. This aspect has become increasingly important with the growing demand for professional yacht crew on large commercial yachts where an individual may need to complete both MCA and RYA training.

Training courses take place at the Gravesend Campus, Dering Way, Gravesend and at the Thameside Campus, Denton, Gravesend. In addition customised courses can be run “of site” at a suitable location such as commercial premises or a yacht club.