—Institute provides Guyanese with world-class training and international maritime accreditation
Imagine having a job that allows you to wake up to breathtaking sunrises, enjoy the cool breeze on your cheeks as you bask in beautiful sunsets over blue seas, and end busy work days gazing at billions of stars at night. That’s how many of Mr. Tevin Archer’s days start and end out at sea, thanks to the career opportunities he received as a graduate from the MatPal Marine Institute Inc. (MatPal) cadet program.
“Before joining the program, I was working here-and-there. I did some trips in [Guyana’s] interior with my family who had a mining business, and worked with my father who was into construction. What sparked my interest in the Matpal Marine Cadet Program is the opportunities for learning…I started off with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and then applied for the marine cadet program because I knew a guy who was a former pilot and remembered him doing the job [from the program] and I became interested in it because of him,” Tevin recalled.
Marine Cadet Program
MatPal, established in 1999, plays a pivotal role in the rapidly expanding oil and gas sector through its Shipboard Deck and Engineering Marine Cadet Programs. The company has been accredited from MARAD in Guyana since 2003. Notably, the Institute has cultivated partnerships with numerous local and international entities, such as Edison Chouest Offshore (G-Boats Inc.). Marine cadets who complete the program get international licenses that qualify them for officer roles on various oil and gas ships.
Tevin joined the Matpal Marine Cadet Program at just 19 years old. He aimed not only to finish the program but to excel, pushing his abilities to their limits. However, he found handling the diverse and broad-based subject areas a challenge.
Rigorous Training
“The program is rigorous…not one-dimensional…not based on academia alone, but rigorous training. It’s not a landlocked job, but one that offers adventure because it covers a lot of travel, especially going to sea. For me personally, it’s similar to a tertiary education program because of the amount of work that has to be covered. This cadet program brought structure to my life,” he told Energy magazine.
Tevin’s theoretical training covered a variety of areas: navigation and the use of maritime Admiralty charts; celestial navigation using star systems and celestial bodies to determine a location on Earth; the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), designed to enhance
maritime communication and safety; stability and buoyancy, which delve into the sciences; and communication skills, focusing on understanding the English language — the official language of the maritime industry — and its use across different nationalities and cultures.
Tevin faced another challenge when he had to transition from a classroom setting to being on board a ship, where he was under a fixed watch system that involved both theoretical and practical aspects. The physical labor involved in his shipboard training posed an additional challenge. However, though the training was initially tough, Tevin pulled through and adjusted, which shaped him into a well-rounded individual who understands how to perform his job effectively and recognizes the importance of doing it correctly.
“Discipline is also always a challenge. Staying humble and working hard helps to get you past that threshold. The fantastic part about that is that once you’re past that threshold, it becomes easier and easier. The impact of COVID-19 on the maritime industry was severe, not just
for me but for everyone, I think. However, the onboard training crew we worked with during COVID-19 made it very comfortable for us and cushioned the blow that affected all of us so drastically,” Tevin said.
A Fulfilling Career
After completing the program in 2020, Tevin received his License and Certification. He is now the holder of a Third Mate’s Unlimited License. He also completed his unlimited DPO (Dynamic Positioning Officer) certification. Tevin intends to gain more sea time and experience and further his studies until he gets a Master Mariner license, the highest grade of seafarer qualification.
“I applied for a job with G-Boats, the company that facilitated most of my cadet training, and I’m still currently employed with the company. The program was certainly a game changer to my life overall. The level of experience accumulated…and opportunities created allow me to go anywhere in the world. Financially it’s also a very great career path,” Tevin said. For Tevin, his job is not merely work, but a thrilling journey across the vast seas. Each day brings a new and exciting experience as he collaborates with his ‘sea family’ aboard his ship. To him, it is like a second home—a place where camaraderie runs deep, and everyone watches out for each other at every turn of the adventure.
“I enjoy every aspect of my job. The blue seas, and the comprehensive nature of our day-to-day tasks. I enjoy my work family, the onboard crew. But most to of all, I enjoy the sunrise and sunset at sea. Especially on a clear day, it’s breathtaking. This doesn’t take away from the nightly star gazing,” Tevin told Energy.
Tevin is serving as an officer on the MV Guyana Hero with G-Boats. In this role, he is responsible for ship husbandry, which involves the upkeep and maintenance of the vessel’s structure. Additionally, Tevin handles navigation duties, ensuring the safe transit of his ship through the seas, particularly offshore Georgetown, Guyana, where there is substantial marine traffic.
He is also proficient in dynamic positioning, which involves using thrusters and computers to skillfully maintain the vessel’s position next to rigs and platforms. “One of my main roles is to set up that station-keeping, monitor and maintain it so that the vessel can safely complete its job,” Tevin explained.
MatPal plays a crucial role in developing Guyana’s maritime sector by training Guyanese to get internationally accepted credentials and secure prime jobs in the growing oil and gas industry.
