Marine And Ports Employees Training In England
Department of Marine and Ports Services employees are this week benefitting from seafarer training in the United Kingdom.
“The Government department has proposed to train all more than 70 staff that operate department vessels, including Captains, Engine Drivers and Leading Seaman,” a spokesperson said.
“The first six of 20 this year are attending Warsash Maritime Academy near Southampton, England, which is billed as the world’s premier maritime education and training provider offering the most comprehensive range of training programmes available.
“The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping [STCW] training will better prepare them for their duties aboard the nine Lloyd’s class vessels in the Marine and Ports fleet.
“The basic STCW training is from June 6-10 and was arranged through a partnership with the Department of Workforce Development.
Minister of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities Michael Fahy noted: “This programme positions Marine and Ports with crews better prepared to operate ferries, tug boats, tenders and other department watercraft, which is of benefit to the traveling public.
“We have a great team making up crew on our various vessels and the professional training will ensure they meet the minimum standards required for seafarers worldwide.
“Warsash is one of the most highly regarded institutions for maritime teaching and this type of training is also great for career mobility.”
Bermuda is a signatory to the 1978 STCW International Convention, which was the first to set qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships.
Warsash Maritime Academy is a part of Southampton Solent University with a campus in the village of Warsash on the east bank of the River Hamble, overlooking Southampton Water and near the English cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.
Twenty air fares, accommodation, meals … Lets hope they cover the many hazards of energy drinks.
B1oody hell, you Bermudians love to complain! Damned if anyone does, damned if anyone doesn’t!
I don’t know, perhaps this is great because of further training & skills for Bermudians, improved safety for passengers and other boats while out on the sea, better prospects of promotion etc with this extra training!!
Are you kidding me? What, the Bermuda qualifications for engine drivers & pilots licenses A,B & C are not good enough?
You don’t see tourboat skippers crashing into docks.
These junkets across the sea are costing the taxpayer exactly how much?
Well there goes the childrens lunches for three months in Bermuda.
Kissing up again.
If the STCW ’95 is the only course they are going for, for 5 days that is a waste of our tax payer dollars. The same course which is Lloyds standard approcved is also offered in the US which equal cheaper airfare and the likes…
Its probably outside if your understanding
Great effort and well deserved training for Bermudians and investment towards better skills, accountability and management.
I wish all the best in their training, I also hope that rather them reachin g the minimum required, that they will be exposed to the highest level of training possible with postings for periods of 3 to 6 months on British fer ries. Did I read the training is only for 5 days ? What can one really lea rn in 5 days? But than again, I have to admit I know nothing about boating.
Compressed learning like what they do in the regiment
Looking on the bright side….
I believe that former M&P Harbour Master, the late Mr. Ian H. Clark, was once a lecturer at Warsash Maritime Academy.