The Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS) primarily aims to offer preparatory courses that prepare seafarers to obtain Certificate of Competency (COC) issued by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF). Additionally, PCMS provides all essential safety training required for seafarers to serve on ships.

The programmes are crafted in line with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) ’78 as subsequently amended, incorporating the syllabi in align with the KPU laid out in the STCW Code. Also, the programmes have been designed and developed referring to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Courses as guiding tool for curriculum development.

The core programmes have received approval from the FNU Senate and are registered with the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC).

Students graduating from the PCMS are awarded with a Diploma in Nautical Science or Diploma in Marine Engineering. This qualification sets them on the professional journey of becoming a Deck Officer or Engineer, starting at the Class III Watchkeeper level. For those with international sea time on vessels over 3000 GT for deck officers and engines over 300 KW for Engineers, there is an opportunity to advance to the Class I management level in their respective fields.

As Fiji’s sole maritime training centre, the PCMS serves all Fijian nationals who aspire to maritime training. The programmes offered by PCMS provide school leavers with the educational pathways necessary to pursue a career in seafaring.

The training curriculum at PCMS is internationally recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and sanctioned by the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), qualifying seafarers to work aboard both local and global vessels.