Liverpool has long been a major seaport and the present centre of nautical education at the Department of Maritime Studies of Liverpool Polytechnic has developed from the Liverpool Nautical College over several decades. Most of the students have a background of experience in merchant shipping and the port industry. The courses include those for certificates of competency, the examinations being conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry. The other main courses are the B.Sc. (Honours) course in Nautical Studies, H.N.D. in Nautical Science and post-experience and special courses in radar and recent developments in ship operations. Higher degrees (M.Phil and Ph.D.) are obtainable by research and an M.Sc. course is in preparation. When qualified, the students and graduates have gone to a wide range of posts at sea and ashore in the maritime industry, the majority being actively engaged in ship operations.