Meet Josh, SEFtec NMCI Offshore’s newest Instructor.

Meet Josh, the newest member of our instructor team. Josh is part of the SEFtec NMCI Offshore (SNO) two year Instructor Training Programme. Beginning his career at the NMCI as a technician and trainee instructor Josh recently completed the two year programme to become an instructor at the NMCI. We chatted with Josh to hear more about his background, interests and future plans.

Hi Josh, so tell us a little about yourself?

Hello, my name is Josh and I am an instructor with SEFtec NMCI Offshore DAC.

Growing up I worked in outdoor activity centres during my Summer holidays. I loved the multi-activity courses which included water sports such as sailing, kayaking, and coasteering to name a few. I was really lucky to have such an enjoyable job at a young age – and it gave me great confidence in leadership and instruction. During my time in college, I was a safety officer and later captain of CIT’s kayaking club. I learned loads about management as well as general risk assessments regarding water safety. After college, I spent some time working for a fire safety company that specialises in the maritime industry. This gave me great exposure to various vessels, their fire suppression systems, and firefighting equipment on board.

What attracted you to the role of trainee instructor/technician initially?

When introduced to the role of Trainee Instructor/Technician, I was immediately attracted to the similarities it had with my previous instructor role. Each day is different with new learners across various training set-ups. I was especially excited to work in the environmental pool and it’s still my favourite ‘classroom’ in the NMCI. Working all 4 seasons as a water-based instructor can be almost unheard of in Ireland, so this was an exciting concept.

Tell us about your role and what it entails?

When I first joined the team, I was trained into the role of Technician. It was my job to prepare any equipment needed for the courses. This included prepping boats for the pool, equipment for the fire yard, and general organisation of all PPE across all the courses. I found this period in the company beneficial in gaining a better understanding of how the equipment operates. This role also included assisting in the background of courses – lighting fires, capsizing rafts, and launching lifeboats.

1 year later I became a Trainee Instructor. I trained a new colleague into the Technician role, allowing me to spend more time in the classroom learning the courses. I participated in every course we offer as a learner, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I then became a PADI Open Water Diver and later received a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification. I could now participate in the pool as a safety swimmer/diver – a position I was looking forward to since the day I started! Towards the end of my 24-month program, I completed my OPITO Assessors, Train the Trainer, and HUET Instructor course. This is the part of the job that blows my friend’s minds!! I love working in the ‘HUET’ and I’m continuing to learn more with each course I am part of.

 What is your favourite part about working with SEFtec Group?

My favourite part about working with SEFtec Group is the dynamic and varied working environment. No one day is the same. I work alongside seasoned mariners and firefighters regularly. I have the opportunity to train with emergency services like the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter crews each month. I have just returned from training in the UK for an exciting project in the future. I continue to expand my knowledge with every course I am a part of, every person I meet, and every location I visit. Working with SEFtec Group has opened my eyes to an amazing industry with inspiring people working within it. I look forward to more projects in the future, especially overseas.

How will you continue to develop your skills in 2022?

When I first joined the company, I was told “every day is a school day here”.

This is absolutely true. Each day my skills and knowledge improve. Every course brings its challenges and rewards and I learn so much from each one. To enhance my skills further, I plan on focusing on the Global Wind Organisation side of training more this year. I also look forward to improving my HUET skills with more time inside the unit. It’s also an exciting time for OPITO as they move towards the sustainable energy section. I look forward to being part of this transition in the future. As part of my continuous development, I will be doing Enclosed Spaces, Working at Heights, and Manual Handling instructorships in 2022 also.

Thanks Josh, we’re looking forward to seeing all that you achieve in your career!

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Level 5 Update for Customers – Certified Safety Training

In line with current NPHET advice, in respect of Level 5, Higher Educational Institutes will continue to remain open and are deemed essential.

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GTSS win Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services to the Marine Industry award.

GAC Training and Service Solutions (GTSS) is delighted to have won the Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services to the Marine Industry award at the Marine Industry Awards 2016. Nineteen trophies were presented to the winners throughout the evening.

Liam Lacey, Director, Irish Maritime Development Office and Michael Creed, T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine presented the Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services to the Marine Industry award to Jim O’Byrne, General Manager of GAC Training and Service Solutions.

This year’s ceremony was held on June 30^th, in association with SeaFest, at the Radisson Blu Galway Hotel. The evening was an enormous success, celebrating the growth and development of the industry in Ireland while recognising the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability.

Pictured above are; Jim O’Byrne, General Manager, Joy Gillen, Marketing Executive, and Conor Mowlds, Managing Director of GTSS at the NMCI.

To read more about all the award winner visit http://www.marineawards.ie/shortlist.php

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Port Safety and Security Awareness Training

Port Safety and Security Awareness Training

April 7th 2016,

at the National Maritime College of Ireland

Course Aim:

The purpose of this 1 day course is to provide awareness training in Health & Safety, as outlined in the Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Dock Work published by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), for any person engaged in work activity in ports and docks facilities and

To provide awareness training in port security as required by the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code

Course Objectives:

To promote a safety culture among the many diverse users of a port

To ensure that anyone directly involved in work activity in ports are aware of their

responsibilities under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of2005)

To ensure that all persons are aware of the hazardous nature of doc work

To ensure that all persons required to work on board ships are aware of the hazards to be encountered

To help in the assessment of risk arising in docks operations

To promote an understanding of the requirements of the ISPS Code

Course Content:

Introduction

Port Accident Statistics

Definitions

Legislation

Responsibilities

Managing Health and Safety in Ports

Hazards on Docks

Hazards on Board Ships

Port Security

BOOK NOW

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Don’t get caught out. The Manila Amendments are upon us.

Irish Seafarers and employers of Irish Seafarers, take note!!

The Manila Amendments are very clear, irrespective of the validity of your Certificate of Competency.

Our own legislation is very clear!

Marine Notice No. 02 of 2014 states:

Seafarers holding valid STCW certificates issued prior to 1st January 2012 will have to meet the new requirements in order for their certificates to be revalidated beyond 1st January 2017.

Certificates that have been presented for revalidation since 1st January 2012 have an expiry date of 31st December 2016.

Seafarers revalidating their Certificates of Competency (CoCs) will be required to submit additional evidence to ensure their CoC is valid for service after 31^st December 2016.

In conforming to the provisions of STCW Convention Regulation 1/14, and section A-1/14, of the STCW Code, companies must ensure that seafarers assigned to any of their ships have received refresher/updating training as required by the convention.

If you or a member of your team is serving on board a ship and is qualified in any of the following, they must, as of the 1st of January 2017, have documentary evidence of either having completed the training course or updated their training within the last 5 years.

Updated Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Table A-VI/1-1)

Updated Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats (STCW Table A-VI/2-1)

Updated Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Table A-VI/1-2)

Updated Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW Table A-VI/3)

Updated Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (STCW Table A-VI/2-2)

The law is very clear, do not put your career at risk, you cannot proceed to sea after January 1^st 2017 without having complied with the Manila Amendments.

Book your training here at the NMCI. Courses are selling out quickly. All courses to June 2016 are now fully booked.

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