The Cnam/Intechmer offers three equivalent level II courses (Bac+3) allowing students to acquire theoretical knowledge and technical skills in maritime professions. The fields covered are marine prospecting (OP), production and development of marine resources (PVRM) and marine environment protection (GEM). For a complete training, students must take part in practical work at sea on board an oceanographic vessel. In order to carry out its training mission, the Cnam/Intechmer requires two periods of embarkation on board an oceanographic vessel each year. During sea campaigns, students are introduced to the main techniques for acquiring water, sediment and benthos samples. It is also an opportunity to make students aware of safety at sea and the basic rules of work on board.

The students of the "Oceanographer-Prospector" Bachelor's degree follow more in-depth training. To do this, they are placed in a professional situation, often supervised by professionals from the various professional fields. An applied study (CCTP = specifications) is offered to students. The objective is to be as close as possible to a real customer/service situation. The learning of the different techniques is done in two stages. The first one, which is fundamental for us, consists in the teaching team's handling of the different materials which are deliberately degraded. The technical know-how (application of the teaching given on land) of the students is thus evaluated. In the second stage, the students carry out data acquisition in a quality assurance context. Validated by the management, the surveys carried out in the Cherbourg harbour and its close surroundings are compiled in databases made available to the community.

Embarkation at sea is a fundamental part of the training provided by the Cnam/Intechmer.
For the students, they enable them to be placed in working conditions close to those they will encounter during their professional life.
For employers, who appreciate the work done by the students during their embarkation and therefore their professionalism and the fact that they are quickly operational on a ship.
For the Cnam/Intechmer, which offers professional training courses adapted to the various professions in the field of marine science and technology.

Embarkation at sea contributes to the reputation of the establishment in France and abroad and therefore to the excellent placement rate of graduates.