Mr Crossingham owns Freedive Fiji, a game-fishing and spearfishing charter business located in Pacific Harbour. To take overnight charters he needed to achieve recognition as Master of his vessel and this required further certification. 

After conducting extensive research into a range of courses offered by various registered training organisations, Mr Crossingham decided to enrol with TAFE NSW. 

“I knew I had to do the course in a short timeframe so I needed somewhere that offered the most flexible study option,” Mr Crossingham said. “The feedback I received about the Maritime course at TAFE NSW Port Macquarie was overwhelmingly positive.  I was told it was the best place to do my ticket.

 “I jumped straight into my studies online while still in Fiji and then continued my course at Port TAFE once I was in Australia.”

On top of his studies, Mr Crossingham also had to have his sea time assessed and approved quickly. Special one-on-one tuition was organised for him by the Head Teacher of Maritime Studies at TAFE NSW Port Macquarie, Geoff Shelton. 

“The Maritime Section of TAFE NSW Port Macquarie specialises in flexible delivery and we were more than happy to customise Jaga’s course delivery to suit his particular circumstances,” Mr Shelton said.

 “Jaga is the perfect example of what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. His work ethic was exceptional and his motivation contagious. He successfully attained all necessary requirements in record time.”

Mr Crossingham completed his qualification in July and is now officially the Captain of his own vessels with local crew assisting on day-to-day operations. 

“I successfully completed my oral exams with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and received my Certificate from TAFE NSW just in time to fly back to Fiji and get back to work,” Mr Crossingham said.

“I am eternally grateful for the service I received from Geoff and the team in Maritime at TAFE NSW Port Macquarie.”