AMC cadets go to sea with expedition group

CADETS at the Australian Maritime College now have more opportunities for seagoing experience after the college struck a partnership with maritime expedition provider Ponant Explorations Group to provide sea time aboard its vessels.  

Since 2014, Ponant Explorations Group has operated its fleet of luxury cruise vessels – ranging from yachts to small cruise ships – in Australian waters, with destinations ranging from Antarctic waters to the Kimberley coast.  

Under its partnership with AMC, Ponant is offering 30 cadet placements each year across its global fleet exclusively to students at AMC– the only maritime institution in Australia offering a university-level degree, being an institution within the University of Tasmania.  

Ponant’s vessels can host up to four cadets at a time, offering hands-on experience on the bridge or in the engine room from the first day aboard, learning directly from seasoned officers.  

Ponant Explorations Group Asia Pacific CEO Deb Corbett said the partnership responded to the challenge of ensuring maritime trainees gained sufficient real-world sea time before they graduated. “This program allows us to extend the company’s ethos beyond our community of travellers and give back to the Australian seafaring community in a meaningful and lasting way,” Ms Corbett said.  

AMC’s Principal Mal Wise agreed that for students embarking on a seagoing career, “the largest hurdle is often finding an initial sea service opportunity”.  

The France-based Ponant Explorations Group is owned by the Pinault family through holding company Artemis.