History of

Intership Navigation Training Center, Inc.  (ISN-TC) 

Intership Navigation Co. Ltd (ISN), a shipping company based in Limassol Cyprus and its affiliated companies in Europe decided in 1994 to train Filipino graduates of Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering for its ships to be ship officers in the future. Together with the Philimare manning agency, a system of selection and a training program was developed.

In early part of 1994, ISN selected its first 40 Filipino cadets and provided them with three months shore-training at Philimare Marine Training Center (PMTC) in Sta.Cruz, Manila. PMTC is the forerunner of ISN-TC. Safety and Practical works on board the vessels are the priority subjects during the training. Some of the instructors at PMTC in 1994 are presently teaching at ISNTC.

1994 photos:

By mid 1994, after the completion of the three months shore training, the Cadets were sent to Leer, Germany for training at the vessel “ WALTER HERWIG” .  They took courses in Fire-fighting, Survival Craft and Rescue, First Aid, Seamanship and practical engineering works and were issued German Certificates.

After about one month, in-groups of 2-4, they were sent to their assigned vessels, where they continued to develop their skills during a further 10 month on-board training where they follow a training program similar to the CHED-ISF system being used now.

Three groups were trained in PMTC and “WALTER HERWIG” until 1996.

Continuous training of cadets every year until the present time was sustained due to increasing size of the ISN fleet.

At the end of 1998 the premises of PMTC became small due to increasing number of trainees.

It was decided to transfer to a new location which happened to be Don Bosco Training Center in Tondo, Manila where ISN cadets were being trained in welding. Don Bosco is a Catholic organization of Salesian Fathers dedicated to the welfare of the young. They offered ISN two unused barracks situated on the Don Bosco premises.

It is when the Intership Navigation Training Center (ISNTC) was incorporated as a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the knowledge of Filipino seamen.

Soon an agreement was reached and Intership Navigation leased these barracks and renovated them. One barrack was used as dormitory, waiting room and training director’s office. The second comprised two classrooms, an administration office and the computer evaluation center.

With bigger training space, not only cadets were then trained at ISNTC but Ship Officers and ratings as well.

Three containers were added, one serves as boatswain store, the second as paint locker and the third as the working-clothes distribution center.

From 1999, ISNTC started adding training equipment: A modern Integrated Bridge Navigation System (IBS) from Raytheon Germany was one of the first. It includes simulation software and hardware, wide monitors with ECDIS, RADAR ARPAs and Nauto-control. Instructor’s simulation control room and big classroom were built adjacent to the Wheelhouse.

ISNTC’s Quality System ISO 9001 was also accredited by Germanischer Lloyd. Soon the courses were accredited by TESDA and Maritime Training Council.

ISNTC received much equipment: Unitor pneumatic tools and equipment like airless paint sprayers, pumps, jet chisels, a 360KV Yanmar engine with generator and electrical panel boards from Japan and an anchor-mooring windlass. A crane for training with Haegglund controls from Sweden was built and placed on top of a 20foot-container.

By December 2003, the rented premises at Don Bosco became too small and ISNTC relocated to new premises in Malate, which is close to the center of Manila. In the new site for practical work, a three storey- building was also erected. The ground floor has now the YANMAR engine and panel boards, the container with tools, welding machines. Later, more equipment was added: Mitsubishi Oil Purifier, Lathe Machine, IMO pump, Drill Press, Container lashing materials for training, and FRAMO pump and piping systems. The 2^nd floor carries the two 20ft-containers, the crane for training and the anchor-mooring windlass. The 3^rd floor was made for the accommodation of trainees, mostly cadets.

 A Galley and Mess hall were made too for trainees of Catering Department: Cooks and Stewards.

The other building of ISNTC is located about 50 meters from the Practical Site. The ISNTC occupies two floors of about 800 sq.mtrs. each. The 2^nd floor has the areas of the administration, registration, library, instructors, computer evaluation, electrical training, Computer based training and six classrooms. An Engine Simulator with Transas 4000 program and 6 trainee-stations are in one of the rooms.

As of this year 2006, the 3^rd floor has the upgraded two full-mission (270 degrees vision) Integrated Raytheon Bridge simulators with Transas 4000 ver-4.51 program, Simulator control room, one virtual navigation bridge, one IT room, classrooms and reserved spaces for the coming training equipment trainers for hydraulic, pneumatic, automation-instrumentation, and refrigeration.

By 2006, ISNTC have been conducting more than 30 courses that are accredited by various government agencies.

Management Level Courses for Deck Officers and Engine Officers as required by the Maritime Training Council in compliance with STCW were also developed. Many of the equipment for these courses were imported from Canada. The courses were soon approved by the Maritime Training Council and accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission.  

In 2008, new sites for training were added to ISNTC. A building was built besides the existing building used by ISNTC. In this new building, many classrooms with names of ISN ships are utilized. More and more equipment, particularly audio-visuals were added. More instructors and staff were added.