For those that accept the responsibility of saving lives at sea, #training is an essential part of the role.
Take a look at this video, showing @RNLI lifeboat crew during simulated storm conditions in our sea survival pool. #seasurvival#nmciservicespic.twitter.com/kkWZONb9e2
“Virus now of international concern”- WHO” – The Irish Times
“UK warns against mass panic as race to halt outbreak intensifies” – The Guardian
“Crews marooned at sea” – The New York Times.
These were the viral headlines grabbing our attention around the globe in early 2020.
NMCI Services had wasted no time preparing. Throughout February 2020 we implemented the first of our enhanced infection control procedures with a particular focus on COVID-19.
We had real time data from our extensive network of international clients on the seriousness of COVID-19. Additionally we had staff operating overseas that were providing updates.
On March 11th 2020 the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.
On March 12th 2020 we safely brought home our staff from overseas.
That same day the Government announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities until March 29th 2020.
We had until 6pm.
Staff, varying in all levels of digital knowledge, were within four hours oracles on OneDrive, Teams, Zoom and Skype (an achievement in itself).
The 29th of March came and went.
The team carried on with our reopening preps, updating and strengthening our procedures and risk assessments as Government Guidance and advice evolved.
We were ready, the “new normal” was now routine.
Ready, waiting and keenly aware that throughout the pandemic our trainees had to keep the ships at sea, energy flowing whether oil and gas or renewables and our emergency services were on duty throughout. We positioned ourselves so their essential training requirements could be met safely and without further delay.
Summer 2020 saw case numbers decrease, lockdown restrictions eased somewhat and life beginning to cautiously resume once again.
On August 31st the NMCI’s commercial division reopened, under strict safety protocols and with reduced class sizes we resumed essential training.
The new normal
NMCI Services had set sail and was safely navigating through the new normal.
Jim Morrissey, a NMCI Services trainer, explains how the team worked together to ensure the safety of all students, delegates and staff within NMCI Services.
“At the start of COVID-19 we really had to learn quickly as the situation and restrictions/safeguards were changing daily. We were required to put procedures in place which were robust enough to protect students, delegates and staff. It was difficult at the start as nobody had experienced anything like this before, but we coped well and adapted our safe operating procedures to comply with public health guidelines.”
Malcolm Meade, SEFtec NMCI Offshore Instructor, explains how workforce safety was a priority for the team:
“When the college shut down in March of last year not only did it effect my colleagues and I, it also effected the essential workers we provide courses for. It also meant that some workers for the energy sector were unable to refresh the safety training required for employment both nationally and internationally.
It was clear from the start we had to find a way to provide these courses to accommodate the workforce.
There was a phenomenal behind the scenes effort made by all of our staff during the first lock down and after, to ensure before, during and after every course the safety of the instructors and delegates were of paramount importance.
I believe these are trying times for all and we all have a part to play in overcoming this pandemic. A safe working space allows us and our clients to remain safe while providing a necessary service to the renewable energy sector.”
New protocols involved temperature checks and completing COVID-19 health declarations forms on arrival, placing hand sanitising stations in all areas, introducing a one way pedestrian system in our corridors, limiting class sizes and contact time, and completing contract tracing forms for not only staff and delegates but on equipment used by all, to name a few.
The following message was received after a recent March 2021 FOET course:
“I want to thank you and the team for your excellent support in getting me though the FOET course yesterday. I thought it was a really professional teamwork effort from all of you at NMCI. I was really impressed. Well done on your covid-19 process too. Thank you especially for your admin support in the planning and execution stages. It was also nice to get out and meet people again.”
What hasn’t changed?
While there is enormous focus placed on adhering to COVID-19 safety procedures, it is important to note that the attention given to each individual delegate has not changed. Timothy O’Riordan recently completed his FOET and sent the following message afterwards;
“I am writing this email to say a huge thank you and to express my gratitude to all involved.
As I am totally not comfortable under water, I was dreading the day that I would have to renew my certificate. Four years ago I also struggled with the underwater part but Cillian and the other divers coaxed me through it step by step. I think this time around was even worse for me as I was constantly thinking about what was to come but again I was coaxed through it and thankfully I completed it and survived !
I don’t think there is another training centre that would have as much patience and give as much support to a candidate such as myself and I really appreciate the time that was given to me.”
Attending a course with NMCI Services soon?
If you are attending a course with NMCI Services and have some questions, do contact our team in advance. We will be happy to discuss your training with you.
Our “COVID-19 NMCI Video” will give you an insight into what a typical day of training at the NMCI looks like at present.
Take the time to watch this video in advance of your arrival to ensure you know what to expect.
Position: Maritime/Offshore Fire and Survival Instructor
Location: NMCI, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
Role: Course Instructor (Practical & Classroom)
Reporting to: Operations Manager- SEFtec NMCI Offshore
Description of the Position
Reporting to the Operations Manager with responsibility for instructing on courses for the Offshore and Maritime sector.
Principal Tasks.
Delivering STCW and offshore training to the Offshore and Maritime sectors.
To be suitably qualified in the disciplines required to teach or assess, as per the standards laid down by various accrediting bodies.
To undertake instructional duties on assigned classes as deemed appropriate by management in both lecture and practical sessions, both at the NMCI and other locations as the management may from time to time reasonably require (e.g. offshore, at clients premises).
To ensure existing courses are reviewed & updated as necessary, and assist in the development of new courses to meet client’s needs.
To ensure that safety standards for both staff and delegates are adhered to at all times.
Maintaining appropriate records and making available information as required by management.
Participating in the development, implementation and maintenance of quality assurance.
To liaise with support staff responsible for the delivery of training courses or exercises.
Work as part of a team to ensure consistent standards of training are maintained
To comply with the procedures, staff notices and any other communications as issued by management.
To attend staff development training courses, in-house and external, as determined by line management.
Requirements
Essential:
Minimum of 3 – 5 years instructional / operational experience in the offshore, maritime, Fire Service, or related sector.
The candidate shall have appropriate training in Instructional techniques and training methods. In addition have considerable experience in fire safety and firefighting techniques, have good knowledge of ships, including stability considerations.
Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills.
Experience / knowledge / qualifications in training & education.
Ability to work in a dynamic multidiscipline environment.
Water confident.
Proven track record of ability to contribute to a team effort.
Dive Qualification.
Desirable:
STCW short course delivery experience.
Relevant qualifications and experience in first aid.
Today we bring you on a behind the scenes tour of a BOSIET course which was being ran by two of our Instructors- Cillian & Elizabeth today. Check out the pictures below to see the delegates and instructors in the Environmental Pool.
What is a BOSIET Course?
This 3 Day offshore course is designed to provide delegates with a basic knowledge of safety and emergency response procedures for working in offshore environments. Delegates gain a basic level of understanding and awareness of the hazards encountered when working on offshore installations, and of the safety regime and safety management systems in place to control and mitigate those hazards. The course is a mix of theoretical and practical sessions, during which delegates are required to demonstrate their level of knowledge and understanding of the training programme content.
The founder and chief executive of Providence Resources, Tony O’Reilly, believes Cork could rival Aberdeen as a European hub for oil and gas exploration — if the county embraces the industry.
Providence’s Barryroe oil field could be pumping oil as early as 2018 and Cork will be on track to become an oil and gas hub, if people in the services industry make the investment of time and effort to install the full suite of service industries, he said.
Mr O’Reilly said people in the oil industry in Aberdeen are “very aware that Ireland is taking off and that Cork is going to be the place”.
He called for information sharing with the Scottish city. “I don’t know if you have ever been to Aberdeen, but Cork is a lot nicer and you have the tax rate here.”
Despite praising Ireland’s corporate tax rate, he took issue with a portrayal that Ireland’s oil and gas resources have been given away.
He argued that while the tax on extractive industries in Ireland was lower than in Norway and the UK, that is because they have proven industries in place.
Mr O’Reilly said that “Norway produces 2m barrels of oil every day hence they have a 78% tax rate; the UK a million-plus barrels a day; Ireland zero. Now hopefully we are going to change that, but you have to see it in that context.”
Referring to a report commissioned by Providence, Mr O’Reilly said: “The tax take from a field the size of Barryroe at the 40% tax that some people think is a giveaway, €4.5bn over its lifetime. That is just the corporation tax revenue. There is also the employment and all the associated benefits. That is equivalent to the whole corporate tax take in Ireland in 2011; that is just from one field.”
Mr O’Reilly said he is “evangelical” about promoting Ireland as the next frontier of oil and gas. He believes the stable political climate and government attitude will allow Ireland to emerge from the shadow of the North Sea.
“The activity like we are leading with Providence coupled with the proactive stance of the Government… coupled with the geopolitical climate in Ireland; you have got to understand that the majority of the oil in the world is in not nice places.
“This is a lovely place, I mean, we had guys working on the rig in Barryroe who could fly back into Cork and go play some golf at the Old Head. You can’t do that in Kurdistan”.
Monday, July 29, 2013 by Geoff Percival- Irish Examiner
“The main representative body for Ireland’s exploration industry has called for the Government to hold back on plans to increase the potential tax take from companies drilling for oil and gas in Irish waters.
As it currently stands, the Government stands to receive between 25% and 40% of profits from any commercial field in Irish waters — of which there are currently none (although Barryroe, in the Celtic Sea, is on course to be the first).
However, Natural Resources Minister Pat Rabbitte recently said that he intends to seek independent expert advice, by the end of this year, on what level of fiscal gain should be achieved by Ireland and how the State should go about achieving it.
A recent Joint Oireachtas Committee called for the profit take to be as high as 80%, which would mirror the Norwegian model.
However, while it takes 78% of the profit from any commercial field in its waters, Norway — as well as having a more mature and developed offshore exploration industry than Ireland — also repays the same percentage of drilling costs to companies if said field is found to be dry; something Ireland — in current economic times — could not do.
At the end of a week that has seen international oil giant ExxonMobil put an indefinite pause on its interest in Ireland by finding no sign of any commercial hydrocarbons at initial drill at the highly-anticipated Dunquin field off the south-west coast of the country, the Irish Offshore Operators’ Association has called for a rethink by Government.
“We think the Government should be cautious in its approach,” said Fergus Cahill, chairman of the Irish Offshore Operators’ Association.
“It would be a great mistake to change the fiscal terms at this stage, especially in light of Dunquin, and at a time when we are just beginning to see more activity in Irish waters and more companies come in,” he added.”
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