The course is approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, Ministry of Surface Transport, Mumbai. The syllabus for the course is based on requirements of the convention of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on Standards of OF Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), 1995 as amended in 2010and Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules, 1998.
The course is compulsorily residential. The Institute has a fully furnished hostel to accommodate all the trainees. Hostel fee is included in the fee structure.