The Pacific Towing Solomon Islands Office announced the signing of four new Cadets to the Maritime Cadet Program to undergo pre-sea training at the Solomon Islands Maritime College (SIMC) this year.
The training is important for them before relocating them to attend full time study at the Pacific Centre of Maritime Studies (PCMS) of the Fiji National University (FNU) in early January 2026.
This program is the first of kind in Solomon Islands for young Solomon Islanders who are having dreams of becoming a qualified seafarers after intense studies and seatime training, strengthening commitment to safety, education and skill development that will leverage these young Cadets in becoming Officers of the Watch ( OOW) onboard ships.
The four cadets are: Mr. John Patteson Lema (Engine Cadet), Ms. Rowena Andresen (Deck Cadet), Mr. Winston Sutu (Deck Cadet) and Mr. Solomon Maesala (Engine Cadet) – will embark on a journey through maritime training pathway starting as a pre-sea training course and further training at sea onboard merchant ships onward.
This program has been very helpful in building up qualified seafaring communities throughout Papua New Guinea and Fiji thanks to Steamships Shipping Management (SSM) through Pacific Towing Management for this vision for supporting young seafarers in Melanesian region.
It aims to build human capacity development in Solomon Islands whilst fostering and advancing career growth in the maritime industry.
The four cadets signed their Offer letters and Contracts on Monday, 5th May 2025 in Honiara followed with a visit to the Pacific Towing operational vessel in Honiara Port.
The induction into the program will be conducted by Pacific Towing SI Vessel Manager Derek Saru next week onboard the vessel with a visit to the Solomon Islands Maritime College Ranadi Campus in East Honiara.
- Pacific Towing SI Office
