Ex-marine cadets of Bangladesh Marine Academy (BMA) in Chittagong yesterday demanded cancellation of the move to issue Continues Discharge Certificates (CDC) to cadets of Fisheries Academy.
“If the cadets of Fisheries Academy get discharge certificate and other documents for commercial vessels violating regulations, the country’s maritime sector will face danger,” said Asharf Ibn Noor, president of Juldia Marine Academy Alumni Association (JMAAA), at a press conference.
Under the banner of Ex-Marine Cadet of Bangladesh Marine Academy, the press conference was held at Engineer Abdul Khalek auditorium of Chittagong Press Club in the morning.
While reading out the written statement Ashraf said: “Though there is around 60% vacant posts in fishing vessels, an anti-state quarters are trying to issue the CDCs for fishing cadets which were clearly violation of rules”.
“The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will shift the name of Bangladesh from the white list to Black list if the CDCs are issued while a number of Bangladeshi mariners will be failed to join the commercial vessels internationally”, he added.
Ashraf also said day by day the number of fishing vessels are increasing while the number of native ships was decreasing significantly. The number stood at 30 from 74, he added.
“At present the country has around 279 fishing vessels while nearly 60% fishing vessels have no skipper (captain) and engineers, moreover, the fishing cadets are now trying to compete with marine cadets over getting the CDCs to board on commercial ships”, added the former BMA student.
Ashraf said “We have already informed the matter to the top level of the ministry, but to no result, now we demand the PM’s intervention in this matter.”
“Remittance worth about Tk200 million being earned by mariners will face deep crisis if the fisheries cadets join the commercial vessels with the CDCs while the dream of blue economy will also be shuttered”, said the Ashraf.
Even after having world class eligibility and experience, the marine academy graduates have been facing visa complexity while working in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and USA over the last several years, said the graduates. “Even the neighbouring country India is harassing our graduates over the visa issue while the job holders also fails to get the visa in foreign countries as the CDCs, Certificate of Competency (COC) and other relevant documents were not updated with the online verification system” said BMA’s 47th batch student Hamidul Satta to the Dhaka Tribune.
Ashraf also demanded formation of a separate commission which will monitor the developments and problems of maritime sector. He also urged the government to implement the IMO rules and act.