ARI DLP (IGNOU) Programme for structured shipboard training consists of 3 semesters each of 6 Months duration i.e; Semester 3, 4 and 5. IGNOU DLP is undertaken after completion of one year contact program i.e.; Semester 1 & 2. The DLP is completed whilst serving at sea and cadets commence their semester on joining their first ship and on starting the learning process.

Cadets are expected to complete 3 semesters of IGNOU DLP within 18 months of sea service. On successful completion and passing of all semesters, Cadets are awarded Advanced Diploma in Nautical Sciences and they are also entitled to remission of 18 months sea time for their second mates competency examinations.

IGNOU DLP consists of 3 Semesters (Semester 3,4 & 5) of 6 months duration each. During the entire program, the candidate has to

1. Complete the Onboard Training Record Book.
2. Keep a written record of “Daily Work Done”. (Cadet Diary)
3. Maintain a record of Practical Shipboard Tasks.
4. Maintain a record of Reinforcement of Theory Tasks.
5. Maintain a record of Sea Service duly endorsed by Master & Company Training Officer.
6.  Maintain a record of Steering duly endorsed by Master & Company Training Officer.
7. Maintain a record of Port Watch Keeping duly endorsed by Master & Company Training Officer.
8. Maintain a record of Bridge Watch Keeping duly endorsed by Master & Company Training Officer.
9. Appear for examination at end of each semester of DLP.

Distance Learning Programme timeline commences on cadets joining their first ship and start of training process.
Programme Schedule include the following

1. At the time of joining ship, cadet should complete his details and particulars of the ship. A photocopy of the particulars of the ship should be sent to the institute as soon as possible.
2. SSTP (Structured Shipboard Training Programme) contains training tasks per semester. Task summary charts should be sent to the institute after completion of the tasks. There are three copies of task summary charts provided for each semester, the first to be sent at the end of first quarter, the second at the end of second quarter and third copy should be retained for cadet records in the SSTP.
3. Cadet is required to complete 5/6 Practical Shipboard Tasks per quarter and forward a copy of the same duly attested by Master/ Shipboard training Officer (STO). Moreover additional ship specific tasks, related to type of the ship cadet is working on, need to be completed too.
4. Additionally, Ten tasks related to Reinforcement to Theory topics need to be completed every quarter and a carbon copy should be sent to institute for evaluation. Original copy of the tasks need to be submitted at the time of taking of Semester End Examination conducted by IGNOU.

IGNOU conducts semester end examinations for each of the semester . Examination schedule is quite flexible and students should undertake their examination during their leave periods. Students have the flexibility to appear for all three semester end exams together or separately.
These exams are conducted in June/ December of each year by IGNOU and contact our DLP center for dates for next examination schedule.

This Distance Learning program is available for all deck cadets who have completed DGS approved pre sea training for deck cadets from any institute and have passed 10+2 exams with more than 60% PCM Aggregate and more than 50% in English.
The cadets who complete this programme successfully would have acquired the relevant competence and thus would be eligible to appear for certificates of competency as officer in charge of a navigational watch (Second Mate) on completion of 24 months sea service, instead of 36 months sea service required for those who do not undergo/ complete this programme.

Programme Structure

The programme runs over three stages, which are to be completed whilst serving on board. The cadet is expected to complete three stages in 24 months of sea service.

This programme is essentially practical in nature and consist mainly of tasks to be completed onboard during the training period. To assist the cadets in completion of these tasks and in maintaining a record of the tasks completed, detailed handbooks and taskbooks are provided.

When a cadet joins a ship, course is deemed to have commenced on the first of next month e.g; if a cadet joins ship on 18th march, the DLP shall commence from 1st April.

Quarterly Reports

Cadet should complete and record the tasks as mentioned in Task book and send a quarterly report to ARI DLP Center, New Delhi at the end of every three months of the course.

Semester End Examinations

At the end of each stage of DLP, an open book test shall be conducted. These tests can be taken onboard under the guidance of Master/ Shipboard training Officer or at ARI DLP center in Mumbai or New Delhi. If test is taken onboard, the answer books along with the question papers need to be handed over to Master for onward transmission to ARI DLP Center.

Interaction with faculty is an valuable tool available to all candidates of our DLP. Students can mail to distancelearning@ariworld.com for any queries about programme or for clearing of any doubts.