Posted: October 19, 2011
GAC Training and Service Solutions (GTSS) launches high value bunker course to increase understanding and improve efficiencies
GAC Training and Service Solutions (GTSS), one of the world’s leading training providers for seafarers and shore-based shipping personnel, today announced the launch of its inaugural “Complete Guide to Bunkering” course, to be held from 22 to 24 November at the $100 million National Maritime Training College of Ireland in Cork.
Led by leading bunker market experts Robin Meech and Chris Fisher, this new course is designed to reflect the latest trends facing the bunker suppliers, traders and brokers, as well as bunker fuel purchasers, class societies, surveyors and other bunkering stakeholders. The course reflects the new importance of bunker fuel as the major cost for the shipping industry – with fuel costs having risen 600% over the past 10 years and representing over 70% of most shipping companies’ costs.
The new course has been designed by bunker industry expert Meech, managing director of Marine and Energy Consulting and co-author of “Outlook for Bunker Fuel Oil and Heavy Fuel Oil to 2030” published in July 2011. Focusing heavily on delivering value for money, the course content encompasses the full breadth of the bunker industry, including: history and background, the latest regulations (SOx, NOx and Greenhouse Gases), abatement and energy efficiency, demand and pricing, LNG (LNG training)and other alternative fuels, the latest fuels standards (ISO 8217:2010), sampling and surveys, metering, price risk management and an introduction to the legal framework and contracts.
Robin Meech explained:
“The modern bunker market is a constantly changing operating environment – increasing prices, environmental regulation, record prices, poor credit, growing demand for metering, the potential of LNG powered vessels; all of which directly influences the decisions taken by those operating across the full spectrum of the bunker supply chain. This course reflects the bunker market as it is today and GTSS should be commended for looking at the bunker industry and allowing it to use its state-of-the-art training facilities.
“Given the sheer scale of relative cost for bunker fuel in the modern shipping market, it is not only the buyer and seller of bunkers that play a crucial role in maximising profitability. Expanding the depth of people’s knowledge right across the value chain, including board members, can help provide them with a better understanding of the bigger picture, as well as the consequences of their actions, enabling them to make more informed decisions with confidence. Ultimately this improves the overall efficiency of end-to-end operations and allows organisations to benefit from the associated commercial savings.”
The course has been created paying close attention to the current trends and likely future of the bunker market. It combines elements of strategic long-term thinking with technical and regulatory requirements, as well as the day-to-day realities of bunker sales, procurement and delivery.
Conor Mowlds, Director, GTSS said:
“With bunker prices at an all time high the bunker purchaser has a more influential role than ever before. The viability of many a company is resting on the successful purchase of bunkers at the right price, and when done effectively this can give an organisation a competitive edge. In today’s operating environment, increased understanding can indeed provide competitive advantage, which is why GTSS has designed the best value for money course in the industry.”
The first GTSS ‘Complete Guide to Bunkering’ course will run from 22-24 November at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Cork – a 45 minute plane journey from London’s Heathrow, and serviced by flights from Geneva, Lisbon, Amsterdam and other international destinations. The course costs Euro 1,645 per person and includes three nights accommodation, breakfast, lunch and daily refreshments, a welcome drinks reception and a networking meal on the final evening. Other evening activities can be arranged for attendees. An early-bird rate of Euro 1,495 is available until 28th October. For more information please visit www.nmci.ie/gtssbunkercourse
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Posted: October 14, 2011
During the first week of October the National Maritime College of Ireland’s Simulation unit provided its first course for a group of Brazilian customers.
Following an initial enquiry (from Mr. Diogo Weberszpil do Amaral) for a ship handling course, the Simulation unit’s Captain Clive Hotham created a specialised course, to be run in the units’ 360° full mission bridge simulator, to provide the practical training that the group required.
The group consisted of four people, Mr. Diogo Weberpilz, Mr Eliel de Andrade, Mr. Fabio Sousa de Oliveira, Mr. Diogo Nery Monteiro, and all of whom are candidates in the current round of recruitment of Trainee Pilots for Brazilian Ports.
Mr. Diogo Weberpilz, Mr Eliel de Andrade, Captain Clive Hotham (Lecturer and simulation co-ordinator),Mr. Fabio Sousa de Oliveira, Mr. Diogo Nery Monteiro
The week consisted of lectures on ship handling theory, practical ship handling of different vessels in different situations, practical communications between ships and port control, and debriefing sessions to discuss how each practical session went.
Bridge Team at Work
In the practical sessions each person was given a particular role – Pilot, Captain, Officer, and Helmsman – to reinforce the need for team work on a ships bridge. This meant that each person performed the manoeuvres and when they were not acting as pilot could observe each other’s performance.
As the week progressed the abilities of the group improved greatly, each person gaining more confidence with each exercise.
“Helmsman” – Fabio, “Captain” –Eliel, “Officer” – Diogo, “Pilot” - Diogo
The week was a success and the feedback from the group was very positive. All the lecturers involved (Captains: Clive Hotham, Peter Walter, Cormac MacSweeney, and Roddy Cook) enjoyed working with the group during the week.
The NMCI Simulation unit is looking forward to the next group of Brazilian customers in December and beyond.
It is hoped that the Simulation unit can provide further training for more Brazilian customers; for courses ranging from this, to specialised courses for experienced pilots, and manoeuvring studies for pilots and ports.
Call us for more information on our Bridge Simulator.
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Posted: October 12, 2011
President Mary McAleese received a rousing reception at the Haulbowline Naval Base and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) on Monday October 10th, as part of her final official visit to Cork.
The NMCI is a partnership between Cork Institute of Technology, the Irish Navy and Lend Lease. As the visit was the first leg of her visit to the Irish Navy she was greeted by a 100 person Guard of Honour, a spectacular site at the main entrance to the NMCI.
The President was escorted around the college by Commodore Mark Mellett, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service.
The President was wowed by the facilities in NMCI, including the hi-tech bridge simulator which mimicked being on board a Navy vessel as it navigated around Sydney Harbour.
President McAleese capped off her visit by boarding the LÉ Niamh which passed Monkstown, Passage West, Blackrock and Mahon much to the delight of the schoolchildren lining route.
The President left a very positive message for the NMCI partnership in our visitors book;
‘A revelation to see this magnificent college and to feel the energy and passion that will drive its potential. Go néirí Libh’
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Posted: September 30, 2011
Our Head of Commercial Wet Course Development and Training, Ray Johnston recently appeared in the RTE show “Rescue 115” training the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue crew.
The Irish Coast Guards regularly simulate lifesaving exercises at the college in preparation for search and rescue operations in some of the most hostile sea environments in the world.
The show takes place over a number of months and is a six part series. It follows the rescue crews at Shannon Helicopter base, as they battle to save lives around the Irish coast.
This week’s episode follows the Irish Coast Guards latest recruit as he has his world turned upside down while completing the Helicopter Underwater Egress Safety Training with Emergency Breathing Systems in the SEFtec configurable HUET.
The show follows his training to become a Winchman in the Shannon Helicopter base which includes interviews, paramedic training and medical, physical and physiological tests. But before he can save lives he has to learn a drill he hopes he never has to use, which is learning how to react in the event of a helicopter ditching.
Click on the image below to watch the show.
Helicopters are top heavy and because of this when a helicopter crashes into the sea it may roll over upside down in the water and in preparation of this event all crew must be trained in exiting the helicopter safely in this unnatural situation.
The HUET training is what will save their lives in the unlikely event of a helicopter ditching, this special course is held here at the National Maritime College in a specially built tank in a replica helicopter cock pit.
Daithí Ó Cearbhalláin, Senior Crewman of Rescue 115 said “Every crew man, every pilot has to complete this every three years so all of crews rotate through this using this facility here.” “It’s a great exercise, absolutely invaluable it teaches the boys what they have to do in regard to action training that in a real emergency you would follow through with these drills without thinking”.
Commenting on his HUET experience, the delegate said “The most surprising thing for me was being inverted, being upside down and trying to get your brain to tell you to breathe when it is telling you not to breathe because you are under water”.
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Posted: September 14, 2011
We were delighted to have the college so busy at the weekend, with a joint celebration of Cork Harbour Open Day & a Corona Cork Film Festival fundraiser taking place.
In the morning we had over 400 people attend the free open day which included a tour of the environmental pool and a chance to navigate the 270° bridge Simulator.
In the video below you can see a short video of families enjoying a simulation of New York harbour, the remote control boat race and the maritime themed art exhibition.
All of us at NMCI would like to say a big thank you to Anita Williams and the Rouges for keeping the crowds entertained throughout the day.
You can see Anita Williams perform tomorrow night (September 15th) at 9pm in the Roundy, Cork. You can also catch Anita at an “Evening of Live Jazz” on the 25th of September at The Idle Hour.
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Posted: September 7, 2011
Having had 22 years military experience with the Irish Naval Service, I had the pleasure of witnessing and participating in extremely effective teams. This is the reason I decided to utilise all of my experience to create this unique and challenging Team Building package.
My colleagues and I have researched various Team Building techniques and methods across the industry.
On our Corporate Team Building days we don’t do cliché falling into each other’s arms exercises and we certainly don’t do group hugs.
But rest assured your team will get to know each other and get a chance to bond while working together in military style crisis situations. We are confident and have the experience to know that this is the best way to gel a team to create a long term impact.
The effects of traditional team building events tend to wear off within days. Whereas people don’t tend to forget who helped them manoeuvre a fast naval vessel around New York Harbour under the roof of Europe’s most advanced Maritime facilities.
What better place to create team harmony than by facing storm conditions in our environmental pool and attempting to save a ship from sinking in our Damage repair unit.
I believe the perfect way to describe the Team Building day is simply – “More adrenaline than a mortal can handle.”
At the National Maritime College we fully appreciate the importance of the often unrecognised members of the team. That is the family, and partners who provide each employee with encouragement and support daily. We encourage you dependant on numbers of course to bring them along as part of your team.
We are now delighted to offer a half day team building package of €130 per person based on 15 attendees. Why not contact us today at [+353 21 4335728] and we can tailor a team building package and price to meet your specific requirements.
To download the full PDF of the course click here
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Posted:
This year Cork Harbour Open Day is set to be a great day with so much happening all around the harbour. Now in its third year, Cork Harbour Open Day has grown and each year offers more and more activities both on and off the water. The day itself is a great day for people to see exactly what Cork Harbour has to offer, and this year is no exception with the second largest natural harbour in the world will playing host to the Cobh to Blackrock sailing race, kayaking on the River Lee, crab fishing in Cobh, and for the first time a free open day at the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy and Fastnet Lines MV Julia open to the public for tours and lunch.
Cork Harbour Community Radio will broadcast throughout the day on frequency 98.3FM live from the NMCI. This community radio initiative is part of a response to the great sense of community developing in the Cork Harbour area and has been made possible by the combined effort and support of many harbour side groups and organisations.
This year will also see the first ferry shuttle service operated by ‘Whale of a Time’ and sponsored by the Port of Cork and NMCI running in the lower harbour calling at Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Cobh, Aghada and Crosshaven. Free to anyone who wishes to use it, this ferry will be a great way to see the harbour and get around to the different locations and attractions.
Visitors to Ringaksiddy will be given the opportunity to go on a free guided tour around the National Maritime College of Ireland and see their panoramic bridge simulator, the survival pool and the marine workshops. Staying in Ringaksiddy, at the Deepwater Quay, Fastnet Lines’ MV Julia will open to the public giving people the chance to go onboard the ferry and even have some lunch if they wish. In the evening, Cork Corona Film Festival will hold a fundraiser themed the ‘Amazing Cork Maritime Experience’ at the NMCI from 5pm onwards. Tickets for this event are available here.
In Cobh, Cunard’s MV Queen Elizabeth will make her maiden call to the Port of Cork and to coincide with this visit, Cunard and the Port of Cork have organised a Lusitania Memorial Service in Cobh led by the Captain of Queen Elizabeth. To add to the occasion, Band 1 Southern Brigade will play in the promenade after the service. Both events are free and open to all.
In the afternoon ‘See You in Cobh’ will run a crab fishing competition for kids. The Irish Coastguard, RNLI and the Search and Rescue Helicopter will perform a search and rescue demonstration in the lower harbour near Monsktown and Ringaskiddy at 3pm. At 5pm when MV Queen Elizabeth departs a ‘Fond Farewell’ is being organised to encourage spectators around the harbour to wave this great ocean liner off as she departs Cork harbour. Great locations around the harbour to see the departure are Roches Point, Weavers Point, Camden Fort, Cobh town or Whitegate.
Spike Island will be open to the public all day, with boat rides operating from Kennedy Pier in Cobh to the island throughout the day. Live music, face painters, clowns and jugglers will be on the island to entertain and visitors to the island are being encouraged to bring their own picnic for the day.
In Crosshaven, the Rescue Camden Committee have organised a free open day from 12-6pm. The fort will host the Airborne 101 re-enactors and a weapons display and a ‘Port in Pictures’ photograph exhibition. Camden Fort is a perfect location to watch MV Queen Elizabeth as she departs Cobh at 5pm. Crosshaven will also hold their annual triathlon at 4pm.
In Cork City, the Irish naval vessel L.E.Ciara will be open to the public for free tours of the ship from 11am to 4pm. Also in the morning visitors will get to see the amazing 150 cars taking part in this year’s Cannonball Run in aid of Barretstown Kids charity, as they depart Custom House quay at 11am. Blackrock Castle Observatory will present their theatrical tours bringing the colourful story of the castle to life from 400 years ago to present day. A great venue for all the family and a super location to watch the Cobh to Blackrock sailing race, as the yachts head up the river.
In Aghada, there will be tales and stories of the south east side of the harbour throughout the day held in Rosies Bar. Visitors can use the ferry shuttle which would take them to Aghada’s new pontoon facility recently opened.
Aimed at embracing what Cork Harbour has to offer, the Cork Harbour Open Day aims to raise awareness of the different activities available for people in the harbour both on and off the water. It’s a great day for all the family with many events free to everyone.
The idea for a Harbour Open Day emerged from discussions between various stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the Integrated Strategy for the Harbour. A group comprising representatives from UCC, City and County Councils and the Port of Cork set about working together to engage users of the Harbour and to organise the Open Day.
For more information on Cork Harbour Open Day and see the full programme of events visit www.corkharbour.ie or email harbourevents@corkharbour.ie for information.
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Posted: August 24, 2011
Corona Cork Film Festival will host a fundraiser in association with NMCI Services and the Port of Cork on Cork Harbour Open day which takes place on September 10th at 5pm. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) will host the event which is entitled ‘The Amazing Cork Maritime Experience” this will be an evening of the arts, film and entertainment.
The fundraiser includes arrival via a Harbour Cruise, a Maritime Art Exhibition, Music on the lawn, a selection of Maritime Short-Films, Guided Tours of the College’s Facilities, and finally ‘The Great Cork Boat Race’ which is a remote controlled boat races with prizes.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr Simon Coveney T.D was at the NMCI to officially launch Cork Harbour Open Day 2011. This is the third year of event which aims to embrace and showcase what Cork Harbour has to offer and organisers are hopeful that the wide range of events will attract many people.
The National Maritime College of Ireland will also be opening their doors to the public on this day from 12pm – 5pm and they will be providing free guided tours of their superb facilities.
The tour includes a sea survival pool showcase that can demonstrate world class special effects that includes wave generation and strobe lighting.
The multi million euro 270-degree Kongsberg simulator will also be on show. This will be opened to the public for the first time and is capable of simulating our very own harbour along with famous ports such as New York and Sydney harbour. These facilities are often used for Corporate Team building.
This family friendly event will also have a face painter along with local food producers set up around the campus.
A programme of events to date can be found on www.corkharbour.ie
Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at https://corkfilmfest.ticketsolve.com/shows/126518308/events
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Posted: August 5, 2011
SEFtec NMCI Offshore Training Ltd, specialists in offshore training, recently visited the E-ON Offshore Wind Farm, the ‘Robin Rigg’. This is located just off the coast of Workington in Cumbria.
E-ON UK is the UK’s leading energy company and they are one of the UK’s leading energy suppliers and the second largest electricity generator in Britain. They are part of E-ON; the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas company, which has its headquarters in Germany.
Caption L to R: Annette Coughlan, Programme Executive (SNO) Sally Shenton, Site Manager, Jason Hall, Business Development UK.
In the UK E-ON’s focus is on wind, both onshore and offshore, dedicated biomass and marine. Currently, they have 18 operational onshore and three offshore wind farms. In 2007 they completed construction on one of the UK’s largest dedicated biomass power stations, the award winning Steven’s Croft in Lockerbie. Robin Rigg, the third and largest offshore wind farm in the UK is located in the Solway Firth and became operational in 2010.
The recent visit to the “Robin Rigg” which was very kindly arranged by Sally Shenton -Site Manager; proved to be quite beneficial and without a doubt will impress upon us what elements of training are most relevant to technicians, engineers etc and those who are tasked to work in such environments.
E-ON Wind Farm
SEFtec NMCI Offshore Training Ltd are specialists in Offshore training as are in the process of achieving Renewable UK’s MST( Marine Safety Training) standard which is a crucial step for the NMCI in 2011. Our ambition is to be a centre of excellence in offshore renewable training for the Irish and the British Isles as a whole.
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Posted: April 21, 2011
SEFtec installed a custom military HUET (helicopter underwater escape trainer) at Fort Rucker Alabama. This unit replaced 2 METS dunkers at the site and has been used to train the US military ever since.
This video shows a news report by Patrick Claybon of News4, WTVY on May 11th 2009. read more…
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