same as the degree in Marine and Plant Engineering, following the same modules for the first year. Following the completion of their first year, in their second year, students start electrical and electronic training in a number of workshops and laboratories, in order to allow students to pursue a career as an Electro-technical officer. The college also offers courses to licensed seafarers, for example, courses to qualify as a Chief Mate, Master or Chief Engineer can be undertaken at the National Maritime College of Ireland, in addition to safety courses required under the STCW Convention. Student life As a constituent college of Munster Technological University (MTU), students at the National Maritime College of Ireland are full MTU students and have access to the same facilities (gym, college library and sports facilities) and benefits (student union, university societies and sports teams) as students in the rest of the Technological University. However, the NMCI campus in Ringaskiddy is from the main campus in Bishopstown. The NMCI campus is served by a number of Bus Éireann routes, including route numbers 223 and 225. In 2019, the National Maritime College of Ireland joined the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network, a charity which operates a 24-hour helpline for seafarers, at sea and ashore. This aims to promote the mental health and welfare of students, and the college also engages the services of a professional counsellor. Controversies Between 2016 and 2017, the National Maritime College of Ireland was in dispute with the Marine Survey Office (the maritime regulator) over the approval of IMO STCW refresher courses carried out at the college. The dispute arose after the Marine Survey Office refused to accredit the courses, meaning maritime authorities were unable to recognise it as a qualification, leaving mariners affected in limbo. The dispute continued into 2017 with the Department of Transport issuing a Marine Notice reminding seafarers of its course certification requirements. The dispute eventually reached the High Court, however as the maritime college had received accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the courses in question, and the mutual recognition of qualifications is a requirement under European Union law, the European Commission ultimately ordered the Irish Government to recognise the qualifications, resolving the dispute in the National Maritime College of Ireland's favour. References External links Official website Seafarers.ie - Maritime Education and Training Ireland Irish Maritime Development Office Education in Cork (city) Marine