by Nicole Graves

The reputation of Holland College Marine Centre in Summerside has spread far and wide as students come from across Canada to take some of the courses offered, master mariner Steve MacFarlane said recently.

MacFarlane, who teaches deck officer upgrading, said people come to the school to learn from the best. "A lot of the courses are math-based and Alan Richards' method of teaching the subject makes it so simple that people literally come here to learn to do their astro programs from him-because he's known across the country and he's so good at it. Especially the astronomical navigation, which is probably one of the toughest courses on the way to your master's certificate."

An amazing number of people have gone for training at the Transport Canada-approved centre since it first opened in 1972. MacFarlane said well over 1,000 people a year go through the doors of the college for some type of training or other; at least 1,434 people from the Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association alone taking courses there from September 2001 to April 2001.

The first Marine and Fishery Learning Centre opened in Charlottetown in the late 1960s, with Holland College taking over the Summerside facility in 1977.

Courses start from the basic introductory-type of training for people who think they would like to go to sea, to people who are working on their master mariner certificate. Such a certificate enables a person to work on any ship anywhere in the world.

Timeframes vary depending on the type of course. "Some courses are one week, some are three weeks and some are six months."

MacFarlane explained everything at the Marine Centre is governed and approved by Transport Canada - from what is being taught to the length of the programs. Anyone going to sea and wanting to advance to the level of master mariner would take the centre's training, which would involve a series of several steps/positions and a combination of sea and class time. Marine training includes several courses, with the deck officers upgrading, for example, involving at least 15 courses.

The Marine Engineering Program, with at least 10 courses, prepares students to take responsibility for the propulsion and safety of ships, the care of cargo and the care and comfort of passengers and crew.

Sixteen people are employed at the Holland College Marine Centre.