Smooth sailing for Ireland’s first maritime college

IRELAND’S first dedicated maritime college was in ship-shape form yesterday and is ready to open for lectures next Monday.

Learning to manoeuvre ships using one of the world’s most advanced ship simulators and practicing underwater helicopter evacuation techniques in a giant water tank will be among the highlights for students attending the €51 million National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

The NMCI will cater for marine studies students from Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and for the non-military needs of the Irish Naval Service (INS).