The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) is Ireland's primary provider of training to those seeking careers in commercial shipping.
It is situated on former Department of Defence land in Ringaskiddy, County Cork, and opened to students in 2004.
The Irish Naval Service and other military personnel carry out non-combat training at NMCI. There is a permanent Naval Service cadre on site.
Marine Engineering and Nautical Science degree courses were once taught at Cork Institute of Technology in Bishopstown, Cork. These civilian courses are now taught at NMCI under the auspices of CIT.
Specialist training equipment on site include:
- A survival training pool which includes a wave machine, wind generators and other climate features to enhance realism.
- A helicopter "dunking" trainer: this is to train personnel to escape from helicopters which have ditched in open water.
- Several types of lifeboat on site for training purposes
- A fire-fighting training centre, which is designed to reflect particular hazards found on board ships
- Bridge simulation equipment including a 360° full mission simulator. Training aids include the ability to interface several simulators into a single mission.
- Engine Room simulation equipment
- A machinery room with typical machinery found on ships: this machinery can be operated by students as part of their training. Machines include diesel engines, centrifugal purifiers and a small boiler.
- Well equipped machine workshops, welding workshops, electrical and electronic laboratories and seamanship workshops.
- A sports hall and small gymnasium
- A library
The college also offers Professional courses to serving seafarers, allowing them to qualify, for example, as Master Mariners, Chief engineers etc.
Safety courses (STCW 95)can also be undertaken at NMCI.
NMCI is the first third level college in Ireland to be built under the Government’s Public-Private Partnership scheme. The partners include Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), the Irish Naval Service (INS) and Focus Education.
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