A group of marine diesel students took a tour on the Bermuda Islander yesterday to experience the full workings of an engine room.

The National Training Board (NTB) arranged a visit for the five Bermudian Marine Diesel students who attend Samuel Jackman Polytechnic Institute in Saint Michael, Barbados, to tour the cargo ship.

Richard Slagter, an engineer who had flown in that day with a part for the ship from Holland, guided them on the tour.

The students, who appeared fascinated with the workings of the ship, spent more than an hour asking Mr. Slagter questions about the engine room. The NTB's Training Assessment officer Noel Cann said: "The engine room on this ship is very much like the engine room at Belco, so once they know how it works they can work anywhere."

The Bermuda Islander is a 300ft ship owned and operated by Bermuda International Shipping Limited (BISL) through Meyer Freight. "The ship is a weekly service vessel which leaves Salem, New Jersey every Thursday, importing various goods into the island from refrigerators and building supplies to clothing."

The students have returned from Barbados for the summer and will undergo their summer practical training, where three of the students will be working at Belco and two at Marine and Ports for a ten-week period. "There is a two year training course in Barbados and two years job training here then the students will be placed in various locations," said Mr. Cann.