EDUCATION

Polytechnics that Offer ND/HND Nautical Science and Everything You Need to Know about the Programme

The National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nautical Science is aimed at producing technicians with sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills on planning, management, operations and maintenance in maritime industry.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this programme, the ND diplomats should be able to:

Assist the master in Navigational watch on Boat ship
Assist the chief officer in cargo works
Assist the crew in ship mooring operations and ship maintenance
Prepare students for employment in related works.

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENT

The academic requirements for admission into the ND Nautical Science programme are:

Five (5) G.C.E. (0 level), WASC, NECO or NABTEB subjects passed at no more than two sittings.
The subjects must be passed at Credit level and should include English Language, Mathematics,
Physics, Geography and any one (1) other subject from the list contained in the most current Directory of Accredited programmes of Polytechnics and similar tertiary technical institutions in Nigeria.
ii. Passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

Below are the Polytechnics that offer Nautical Science:

Stars Polytechnic
Charkin Maritime Academy, Port Harcourt
Delta State School of Marine Technology (DESOMATECH)
Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos
Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

Everything You Need to know About Nautical Science

A career in Nautical Science prepares a person for work in maritime transport as a deck officer on board a marine vessel such as a ship. The National Diploma in Nautical science course is a two-year course that results in an undergraduate diploma after which the student joins a ship as trainee cadet officer (commonly referred to as a deck cadet).

After sufficiently completing required time for experience at the sea and clearing necessary certificate of competency exams, the cadet becomes eligible to be employed as a navigating officer onboard a merchant ship. This first promotion comes with the designation of a Third Mate (or Junior Officer in some cases wherein the shipping company might require additional experience before becoming an Officer of the Watch, OOW).

The National Diploma in Nautical Science Course provides theoretical and practical knowledge required for seamanship, chart work, collision prevention, navigation, bridge equipment & watch keeping, cargo handling & stowage, ship stability, naval architecture (elementary), meteorology, marine signaling, ship maintenance and operation. Hands-on training is extremely important as a deck officer and thus detailed procedure and maintenance techniques of important deck machinery is an integral part of this course.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Admission to the ND Nautical Science programme is through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Candidates are expected to meet the required cut off score in the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The required UTME subjects for Nautical Science are Mathematics, English, Physics and Geography.

Candidates are also required to have passed five (5) subjects at Ordinary Level of WAEC/NECO/GCE or NABTEB. The Required ‘O’ Level Subjects are English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Geography and anyone (1) of Chemistry, Technical Drawing and Economics/Commerce.

ALSO READ: Courses Offered in Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron Akwa-Ibom and Their School Fees