The first year of the HND Nautical Science Course will be conducted at VAMS, Chennai, and the second year of study will be conducted at GCNS, Glasgow. Phase 1 is of 39 weeks at VAMS, followed by 38 weeks at GCNS. Thereafter, 15 months of sea service are required to qualify for Deck Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency (earlier known as Class 3 or Second Mates Certificate) examinations in the UK.
Vel's Academy of Maritime Studies is situated at Pallavaram, Chennai, about three kilometers from Chennai International and Domestic Airport. The Academy is headed by a Captain Superintendent and amongst its Faculty are highly proficient Lecturers (who are ex-Mariners) and Instructors, with years of experience on board ships and ashore, who take meticulous care to train the cadets to be future deck (navigating) officers. The Academy has three sophisticated workshops, a Simulator room, and three laboratories for giving cadets the necessary training. As a part of the curriculum, cadets are taken on board ships in Chennai harbour for shipboard familiarization. The course also prepares the candidates to pursue a career in shipping companies or shipping related activities ashore. Candidates who successfully complete training at this institute will be eligible for taking up jobs as navigating officers on board any ship sailing anywhere in the world. VAMS is the first institute in South India to be awarded an ISO 9001:2000 certification by Lloyds Register of Quality Assurance, London.