BRITAIN’s only academic course that teaches love of the sea has been given a reprieve after government ministers and shipping experts mounted a successful campaign for it to be saved. GCSE nautical studies - on sailing and seamanship - was one of 30 courses due to be discontinuedas part of an overhaul of the GCSE system. Education Secretary David Blunkett has now agreed that the course should continue for at least another year. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was one of the those urging its retention - to help revive the shipping industry.