NMCI Irish Naval Service (INS) Training

Engineering, Cadet / Officer, Communications, Operations, and Mandatory Training Programs for INS at NMCI, Cork, Ireland

The National Maritime College of Ireland NMCI is the first third level college in Ireland to be built under the Government’s Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval Service (INS) and the private partner is Focus Education.

The college offers both commercial offshore training courses and public degree courses. This model allows the college management and teaching staff to concentrate on education while the private partner is responsible for services to the college and the maintenance of facilities.

After initial military training in the Irish Naval Service, either as a Cadet or as an enlisted person, personnel move on to more specialised training, both in terms of long term career, specialised short courses, and mandatory training such as fire fighting and sea survival. All non military training with the exception of certain trade training is undertaken in the NMCI.

Engineering Training

• Mechanicians: The Engineering Branch Rating is called a Mechanician. If working with machinery is your thing, then this might be the career option for you. As an Engineering Branch Rating you will become an expert in your own right. The Mechanician is also responsible for fuelling the ship, taking on water in port, the updating and maintenance of the computerized accountancy system used aboard ship and ensuring that sufficient spare parts are sourced and embarked prior to proceeding on patrol.
• Apprenticeship / Technical Trainee: Most of the maintenance and repair functions are carried out by the various Tradesmen aboard ship. These are the people who are the first point of call when something goes wrong. The Engine Room Artificer, the Electrical Artificer and the Hull Artificer are equivalent to Fitter / Turners, Electricians, and Carpenter / Joiners and then some as they have to work on a moving platform in sometimes very difficult conditions. To obtain the qualification of any one of these persons you need to follow a Tech Trainee Scheme (Apprenticeship).

Cadet / Officer Training

• Engineering Branch: The Engineering Branch Cadet will be trained to a level whereby he/she can fill an appointment as a ships’ Marine Engineering Officer. The Engineering Officer is responsible for everything that keeps a ship afloat, moving and habitable. This includes the hull and general structures of the ship, its main engines and all auxiliary machinery, the main electrical generators, the electrical distribution system, the air conditioning, ventilation, heating systems and cold rooms as well as all fuel and water systems.
• Operations Branch: Officers of the Operations Branch of the Naval Service are responsible for the efficient running of the ship. It is only from within this Branch that an officer may become Captain of a ship. The Operations Branch Officer’s responsibilities include Bridge Watchkeeping, where they are responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the safety of the ships company along with the weapons and communications systems onboard.

Communications Training

• Communications Operator: Communications rating is known as a ComOp (Communications Operator). Branch training is conducted in the Communications Dept, Naval College (NMCI). The ComOp is trained to operate the full range of communications equipment at the disposal of the Naval Service.
• Radio Radar Technician: The RRT is a technician in the Communications Branch. The RRT is responsible for the maintenance of the ship’s communication equipment and navigation equipment, including Radar, Satellite Communications Systems Global Positioning System and Electronic Chart Displays. Initial selection for training is by application for an apprenticeship through the Defence Forces Tech Trainee Scheme.

Operations Training

• Bridge Simulator Training: Bridge simulation training at NMCI is conducted by both civilian and military instructors. It is an invaluable tool in the maritime educational process, not only at officer of the watch standard but also at more basic levels. It allows for the training of students in a safe environment without the alternative.
• Watchkeeping: On induction, a naval cadet undergoes his/her basic military training in the Curragh. On completion of this training, the focus switches to developing the skills of the individual to becoming a competent officer, in all respects. A vital part of this competency is the ability to function as a bridge watchkeeping officer. The training at NMCI greatly assists in the achievement of this goal. The student, at the commencement of his second year of training as a Naval Cadet, commences on the three year B Sc Nautical Science degree program at NMCI.

Mandatory Training

• Damage Control & Firefighting
• Personal Survival Training
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• First Aid

INS Short Term Courses

• Computer Appreciation
• ECDL
• RIB Training
• Potential NCO’s
• Standard NCO’s
• Senior NCO’s

LAST UPDATED ON Jul 27, 2023