What cadets say about their sea time.

After leaving Rivers State University as a marine engineering graduate, I was stuck at home due to limited finance to acquire my basic mandatories and difficulties in securing a place in the maritime industry to gain seatime experience as a cadet. My hope was rekindled when I was selected as one of the candidates to pioneer The Prof. Kelvin Bob-Manuel Foundation. They fully sponsored my basic mandatories and secured a competent company where I am actively building my sea-time hours and closing in on my OOW Certificate of Competency. I am eternally grateful to Prof. Bob-Manuel and the team.

Gaining a foothold in Marine Engineering should have been the start of my career in the Maritime industry but the financial factor of acquiring mandatory STCW courses, medical and seaman discharge book became an impossible journey. I felt neglected and dejected for months at home, which in turn made me embark on menial jobs. On that fateful day, God with his infinite mercies saw me through the Prof. Kelvin Bob-Manuel Foundation and changed everything by wholeheartedly sponsoring my pre-sea requirements. Today, I am actively building my sea-time hours and closing in on my OOW Certificate of Competency. The Foundation didn't just sponsor the training, they gave me my dream.

The Prof. Kelvin Bob-Manuel Foundation played a huge role in my cadetship journey by securing a vessel placement where I completed the majority of my required cadetship sea time. The Foundation also followed up on my progress during my time onboard, including a physical visit. I appreciate the opportunity and support provided, which contributed to my journey to becoming an Engineer Officer of the Watch.