The foundation stone for a new €51 million National Maritime College was laid by the Minister for Education, Mr Noel Dempsey, yesterday in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.
The first of its kind in Ireland, the third-level institution will provide training facilities that will service the existing needs of both the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the non-military needs of the Irish Naval Service.
The new college is being hailed as a major attraction for international trainees, and one that will reinforce Ireland's position as a centre of excellence in maritime training.
Constructed and operated under the public-private partnership model by Focus Education Ltd, the cost of the project is estimated at €51.3 million and will accommodate approximately 750 full-time students when it opens in 2004. The college will provide specialised simulation equipment in the areas of navigation, bridge training, communications, engineering-machinery operations, liquid cargo handling/damage control and vessel traffic systems. These facilities will fully comply with stringent international training standards that came into effect in February 2002.
"This partnership has facilitated the construction of this unique facility that will serve the training needs of Irish mariners, both naval and merchant, well into the future," Mr Dempsey said yesterday at the college site, which is adjacent to the Haulbowline naval base.
"In a world where technology is constantly changing and driving forward, this is a brilliant opportunity for everybody in maritime education," CIT's development officer, Mr Michael Delaney, said.