Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training

The Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (or CIFNET) formerly known as the Central Institute of Fisheries Operatives (CIFO), is a marine studies centre located at Kochi, India. Maintained by the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry of the Government of India, the institute was set up to aid research and development in the field.

The institutes's charter commits it to bringing these developments to the aid of the poor fisher-folk in India.

The institute trains graduates in fisheries-related administrations. It is located at Foreshore Road near the School of Marines (CUSAT). The institute was set up in 1963 and is affiliated to the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).

It is the only institute to offer a bachelor's degree in both fisheries and nautical science. It has two other units in Visakhapatnam and Chennai. It is one of very few approved institutes by D.G. Shipping to conduct courses on RADAR plotting, GMDSS etc., but currently none of the short term courses are conducted.

It promotes studies and research on marine science and technology, marine environment, socio-economic, legal and other related fields. CIFNET was the only government Nautical college till 2007, when the Indian Maritime University was created.

The institute arranges training programmes for foreign nationals from countries like Nigeria, Oman, Maldives, Bangaladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Sudan, Yemen, Laos etc. under schemes like FAO fellowship,CFTC,SCAAP,Colombo plan,ITEC etc.

The institute has three training vessels, mainly used for imparting onboard practical training for institutional trainees and for providing qualifying sea service for post-institutional trainees of the institute. The vessels Prashikshani is attached to the headquarters at Kochi, the other two vessels Skipper II and Skipper III are based at Chennai unit and Visakhapatnam unit.

Courses

The institute offers a Bachelor of Fisheries and Nautical Science degree and two diploma courses. The diploma courses are in vessel navigation and marine fitting. It also conducts refresher courses for students the MMD exam.

Bachelor of Fishery science and Nautical science (Bfsc (NS) The course provides a dual degree in Fisheries and Nautical Science. It is the only course in India which provides dual degree in both Nautical and Fisheries Disciplines.It was started in 2005 and has twenty-two seats, fifteen general, three for members of Scheduled Castes, two for members of Scheduled Tribes and one each for a non resident Indian and a foreign national. The intake of students is through the Common Admission Test held in June every year. It also provides on board training for students in its own vessel the M.V. Prashikshani. After completion the degree will be awarded by CUSAT.

The course is approved by the UGC(University Grants Commission) and the Directorate General of Shipping. The course will be converted into a residential course in due course. The candidates who have passed this degree and the basic modular courses with required sea experience are eligible to appear for examination leading to the issuance of Certificate of competency. The speciality of the 4-year Degree programme is the component of on-board practical training given to the students. The onboard practical training will be an opportunity to students to get acquainted with the operation, management and maintenance of the vessel.

Number of seats For admission through the All India Common Entrance Test is 20. At present 15% and 7.5% of the seats are reserved for SC/ST students respectively. Non-Resident Indian and Foreign National has been allotted with one seat each.

Eligibility criteria Entry qualification : 10 + 2 with 50% marks in Maths and 50% aggregate marks in other science subjects and also minimum 50% marks in English either in 10th or +2 std. In the case of SC/ST students only a pass is required in the qualifying examination with the above subjects. Age limit : Maximum: 20 years as on 1 October of respective year Vision : In case the candidate wish to take up the career on sea/vessel he/she should pass the prescribed eye test conducted by Mercantile Marine Department before admission.

Mode of selection: Admission is based on Common Entrance Test (conducted by CIFNET at Kochi), Academic performance in qualifying examination and interview.

Training Vessels: A detailed study of Nautical and Fishing Sciences is the core objective of the programme which requires sea exposure. For providing adequate sea training as per the curriculum, the institute has three ocean-going training vessels, based one at each centre. The overall length of the vessels ranges from 28 to 34 metres with horse power ranging from 600 to 750 BHP.

Infrastructure

Institute infrastructure facilities at its three centres are class rooms, laboratories, workshop, Nautical-Chart practice hall, Simulator (ERS&N) centre, Craft & Gear practical, library, hostel, recreation and other amenities. CIFNET has headquarters at Kochi and units at Chennai & Visakhapatnam.

Kochi headquarters

The institute has had its headquarters in Kochi since 1963. The headquarters is in a permanent training complex of 5,730 m2 (61,700 sq ft) in a site of 4.35 acres (1.76 ha).

A marine engineering workshop, repair shop and chart hall are available. The regular courses are residential. Hostel facilities are available for the convenience of the trainees.

Chennai Unit

The Chennai Unit of the institute was established during 1968 and functions from an office complex of 2903 sq.m. in 1.4 acres of land at Royapuram, Chennai. The unit has hostel facilities for the trainees.

Visakhapatnam Unit

The institutes Vizag unit is in a complex of 3300 m2 built in a plot of 1 acre in front of the fishing harbour since 1981, with hostel amenities.

Technical Divisions

Nautical Division

The department is responsible for imparting training, both theoretical and practical in Seamanship and Navigation for the Institutional cadets of B.Fsc(Nautical Science), MFC and VNC including the candidates who were preparing for the competency examination for Skipper/Mates.The Department of Nautical Science has facilities at all three centres of CIFNET for imparting theoretical as well as practical training in Seamanship, Navigation, Marine Meteorology and Oceanography. It has visual aids for onshore training. The department is also equipped with navigational equipment and has a navigation hall for conducting chart practicals and passage planning.

Marine Engineering Division

This division covers disciplines of engineering such as Marine Engines, Marine Auxiliaries, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Application, Fishing Craft Technology, Refrigeration and Hydraulics. Workshop and laboratories on the above disciplines are available with the institute to impart practical training to the students.

Marine Engineering Workshop

A workshop is available for maintenance and repairs of the training vessels of the institute. It provides practical training with emphasis on machining, welding, smithy, fitting, carpentry and IC engine refitting.

Training Division

Training section of the institute coordinates all the training activities of the institute. Selection of candidates by conducting entrance examinations,interviews, curriculum development, planning, programming and conducting various training courses are dealt by the section. It is provides employment guidance for the post-institutional trainees.

Library

The institute library is equipped with technical-scientific books and journals on nautical science, marine engineering, navigation technology, naval architecture, ship operation technology, workshop technology, electrical technology, electronics, computer science, fishery biology, fishing gear technology, fishing craft technology, fish handling, marine meteorology, oceanography, refrigeration, and hydraulics. centres.

Department of Fisheries Technology

The department has infrastructure for fishing gear repairs, fabrication and training. The department imparts theoretical and practical classes on fishing gear materials and design, fishing technique, fishery biology, deck equipment etc. Fabrication, repairs and maintenance of fishing gear for the training vessels is undertaken by the department. The department is equipped with a fishing gear and fishery biology laboratory.

Training For foreign nationals

The institute arranges training programmes for foreign nationals from countries like Nigeria, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, PDR Yemen, Myanmar,Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Philippines,Oman etc. under the schemes of FAO Fellowship, CFTC, SCAAP, ESCAP, ITEC, and Colombo Plan..

Short-term training programmes

The institute’s facilities in the field of Nautical, Fisheries and Engineering Technology are used for short term courses for the specific requirement of the participants as follows:

The expertise of CIFNET is used to conduct short term training programmes for the student’s fraternity during last few years. The ITI/ITC, graduates, postgraduate students and students of the Engineering Colleges attend these sandwich programmes.

Regular courses and ancillary courses

The institute has conducted two trade courses viz. Vessel Navigator & Marine Fitter Course of 2 years duration, which is formulated under Craftman Training scheme of NCVT, New Delhi since 2006. The successful candidates, after obtaining sea service will become competent to appear for the competency examinations conducted by the Mercantile Marine Department, Director General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, government of India.

The institute conducts an ancillary course viz. Shore Mechanic Course (12 months) on request from State Fisheries Departments for personnel who manage the shore establishments of the fisheries organisations.

Statutory courses

A number of statutory modular courses such as Elementary Fishing Technology Course, Advanced Fishing Technology Course and Radar Observers Course, are mandatory for obtaining the competency certificates issued by MMD, D.G. Shipping. CIFNET is the sole agency in India approved by the DG Shipping for the conduct of Elementary Fishing Technology and Advanced Fishing Technology courses.

Refresher Courses for Examination

Preparatory coaching classes are essential for the candidates appearing for Competency examinations to update their knowledge. CIFNET organises refresher training courses for Mate Fishing Vessel Examination, Engine Driver Fishing Vessel Examination, Skipper Gr. II Examination, Engineer Fishing Vessel Examination to enable the candidates to face the examination with confidence.

External links

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