The Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (or CIFNET) formerly known as the Central Institute of Fisheries Operatives, is a marine studies centre located at Kochi, India. Maintained by the Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Government of India, the institute was set up to aid research and development in the field. The institute was set up for the statutory manning requirements of deep sea fishing vessels as per the Merchant Shipping Act. The institute provides training in fisheries and maritime sector. The institute was set up in 1963 and is affiliated to the Cochin University of Science and Technology. The institute has two other units in Visakhapatnam and Chennai. The institute arranges training programmes for foreign nationals from countries like Nigeria, Oman, Maldives, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Sudan, Yemen, Laos etc. under schemes like FAO fellowship, CFTC, SCAAP, Colombo plan, and ITEC. The institute has three training vessels, mainly used for imparting onboard practical training for institutional trainees and for providing qualifying sea service for post-institutional trainees of the institute. The vessel M.V. Prashikshan i is attached to the headquarters at Kochi, the other two vessels M.V. Skipper II and M.V Tharangini are based at Chennai unit and Visakhapatnam unit. Courses The institute offers a Bachelor of Fisheries and Nautical Science degree and two diploma courses. The diploma courses are in vessel navigation and marine fitting. It also conducts refresher courses for fishing grade exams aspirants. Bachelor of Fishery science in Nautical science [ B.F.Sc (NS) ] Bachelor of Fishery science in Nautical science is a Professional degree .It was started in 2005. The intake of students is through the Common Admission Test held in June every year. It also provides on board training for students in its own training vessel. After completion the degree will be awarded by Cochin University of Science and Technology. The course is approved by the University Grants Commission and the Directorate General of Shipping. Career prospect Deck cadet Bachelor of Fishery science in Nautical science [ B.F.Sc (NS) ] is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping under the Graduates Entry Scheme as Nautical Deck Cadets (M.S. Notice 21 of 2008). The candidates who have graduated Bachelor of Fishery science in Nautical science with 50% marks in aggregate and the Basic safety Training (BST) and security training for seafarers with designated security duties (stsdsd)