The Goa Maritime Officers Association (GMOA) has outlined a number of proposals to strengthen maritime infrastructure and education in Goa, including a long-term aspiration to host an Indian Maritime University campus in Goa.
At the Seafarers Day celebration which was attended by Minister of Ports, Digambar Kamat, NRI Affairs Commission Narendra Sawaikar, Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, and Capt. Niranjan D’gama, President of the Maritime Union of India, GMOA President Capt. Ruben Salvador Fernandes mooted a proposal to the Director General of Shipping to establish a Mercantile Marine Department examination centre in Goa, reducing the need for seafarers to travel long distances for exams.
A request for space within Captain of Ports premises to establish a Maritime Engagement Centre to support seafarers, students and stakeholders. Another proposal put forth by the Association was for a dedicated Seafarers’ Club in Vasco to serve visiting mariners.
The GMOA also requested government support for scholarships aimed at female candidates and students from economically weaker backgrounds to ensure financial constraints do not block access to maritime education.
Highlighting the need for expanded local training, GMOA submitted recommendations for the upcoming Brittona Maritime School to offer crucial courses that are currently unavailable in Goa, including: Diploma/Bachelor in Nautical Science; B.Tech in Marine Engineering; B.Tech in Naval Architecture; Vertical Integration Course for Trainers.
The association stressed that introducing these programmes within the state would strengthen local access to high-quality maritime education and help Goa play a larger role in global shipping and maritime services.
