It is sad that the seamen are constantly forced to do courses and also undergo periodic courses , under the threat of not being considered for employment This is blackmailing the employees, who have to do their bidding's My dad served during war times and never underwent any such courses, He survived and retired To day the systems are much advanced and shopisticated, hence at best the employees on board could be put through some regular drills, once they have undergone such certification In no profession are employees forced to undergo mandatory refresher courses, then why the subordinate staff alone is compelled to It is seen that such courses and refresher courses command stiff fee. either the companies must have their own arrangements, book seats or at least subsidise these expensive courses running into thousands even for a day or two The Seafarers unions are silent or acquiesce to these malpractices or that some one is making money by exploiting these hapless seaman exclusively targetted for meaningless courses too often Why does the union not step in and put and end to these regular, continuous refresher coursesand needless harassments. Do they also have vested interests? Please enlighten in which other professions such courses are mandatory? Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim