Effective Maritime Training Courses for Sculpting Proficient Seafarers

The shipping industry, also termed as ‘the invisible industry’ by many, is crucial for the existence of global economy. It’s a well-known fact that 90 percent of the world’s food, raw material, oil & fuel, and other manufactured goods are delivered by sea. However, only a few people know about the hardships and challenges that a Seafarer faces.

Sea is not a safe place; it’s like a war zone. Seafarers risk their lives to keep others alive and happy. Sometimes, even precious lives are lost just because the crew was not prepared for dealing with contingencies. Fortunately, this risk can be eliminated by giving proper maritime training services to the crew members.

Some offshore survival training includes BOSIET, STCW, and Pre-sea training courses. These courses aim to provide seafarers the essential training and education in personal survival techniques, social responsibilities, elementary first aid, firefighting & fire prevention, and proficiency in security awareness.

1. BOSIET Course

Often offshore workers have to spend countless days in an inflatable life raft or a dinghy boat. Unless they are trained correctly, it can be hard for them to complete their journey successfully. The Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) details every minor and major aspect that needs to be considered and remembered by the crew members. It helps workers to perform all the necessary tasks in case of any emergency situation. This course focuses on the following maritime training services & elements.

Search and rescue techniques

According to various studies, it’s proven that seafarers have to travel through the perilous pirate-infested zone at least once in their lifetime. And till date, pirates have captured many seamen and held them as hostages and also high-jacked several ships. But in spite of fear and all the risks involved, they continue their duties through these piracy affected areas. By learning rescue techniques, dangers can be minimized to the extent possible. It includes helicopter, craft, and rope rescue as the mainframe rescue vessel.

Basic safety training

In this program, all workers and shore-based management learn the basic understanding of challenges & hazards of an offshore environment and skills to effectively respond to various emergencies. Also, they are trained to deal with erupting fires and other critical care aspects.

First aid training

Performing offshore operations is a high-risk job, as many accidents can happen during the work. We all know that ships and platforms are stationed far from the coast, so it is necessary to have a basic or advanced knowledge of first aid. It will help to assist other fellow members in case of a medical emergency.

Firefighting training

Workers acquire the knowledge and necessary skills to manage and extinguish a fire in the home or port environment. They learn to use various self-rescue techniques and firefighting equipment such as a portable fire extinguisher, blanket, smoke hood, and small bore hose reels.

2. Pre-sea training

As per stipulation from Directorate General (DG) of Shipping, all candidates desirous of carving out a career as an offshore officer or engineer have to undergo pre-sea training ashore. In this course, trainees practice and implement semi or full-military activities such as parade march, physical training, boat rowing, swimming, etc. This practice is essential for anyone who wants to work offshore as an engine cadet, deck cadet, or junior engineer.

3. Post-sea STCW 2010

Completing the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) courses is one of the necessities for a candidate to qualify as a mariner. A seaman needs to complete STCW courses before it is deemed secure for him to fight the fiercest sea. The STCW 95 convention on standards was set up first in 1978 and later amended in 1995. That’s why it is referred as STCW-95. On the same line, it was again modified in 2010. Recently, the DG of shipping has duly ordered the conduct of STCW 2010, hence it has become essential to complete these courses before joining the marine. Existing seafarers who have STCW 95 are also obliged to attend the refresher courses.

Skills and techniques candidates study in this course are:

• Personal survival techniques;
• Advanced Fire prevention & firefighting courses;
• Personal safety & social responsibility;
• Proficiency in survival craft and rescue operations;
• Basic training in oil & gas tanker cargo operations, and more.

Justification of evolving these offshore courses can be understood from their nature and purpose. These practices help a seafarer to become competent on a ship under harsh conditions at sea and deal with various offshore challenges.

Choosing maritime training services in Singapore or nearby areas is one of the critical factors to meet the operational requirement of a vessel and maximize the crew’s safety.