The inauguration of the campus in November 2007 had indeed made a great impact, especially on our Japanese clients since an 8-member delegation of both ship owners and ship builders decided to make an official visit to the campus on 15th April 2008.

Accompanied by ESS Japan’s Mr. Hisaaki Mochizuki and ESM Singapore’s Mr. Masahiro Yoshida, the delegation included, Mr. Takashi Itadako (Kotobuki Kaiun), Mr. Akimasa Sagawa (Shintoku Kaiun), Mr. Sinsei Kikukawa (Garuba), Mr. Makoto Abe (President, Tachibanaya Co. Ltd), Mr. Tadashi Kimura (President, Kimura Shoji), Mr. Takehiro Asuami (Director, Asakawa Shipyard), Mr. Yukio Higashi (President, Satsuma Shipping) and Mr. Oikawa (K-Line Pte Ltd). They were accorded a warm welcome by the Director, Principal and Faculty members and later taken for a tour of the 55-acre campus.

The delegation showed a keen interest in all the campus facilities, particularly the ship-in-campus. They also commended the efforts of the management for making such a marvelous and eco-friendly campus to develop the future generation of seafaring officers.

In fact, Mr. Yukio Higashi of Satsuma Shipping, was so impressed with SIMS, Lonavala that he commented, “One of the best Maritime Academies in the world. I too would like to set up a similar maritime academy in the future.

Taking a short break from the rigour of maritime training, some 48 cadets participated in the campus’ first intra-campus football tournament. The cadets were divided into four houses – Godavari, Kaveri, Ganga and Tapti – competing in knockout matches held over three days from 10th to 12th April 2008.

The first match was played between Godavari and Kaveri where Godavari knocked Kaveri out of the championship with a 3-1 win. The second match played between Ganga and Tapti saw Ganga with a clean 2-0 win over Tapti leading it to the championship finals.

The final match held on the last day of the tournament was played between Godavari and Ganga. It was a tough fight as both teams were equally matched and despite the best efforts put in by both teams, neither could score until the last hooter.

However, Ganga House won 2-0 on penalty shootouts and was named champions of the tournament. All participants were awarded certificates for their efforts while the winners were presented with a Football trophy to mark their victory.