Posted: March 16, 2020
![Image of HUET](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Instructor-4-300x200.jpg)
The disruption caused by COVID-19 will prevent some OPITO delegates from completing their refresher training before their current cert’s expiry date.
To facilitate such circumstances OPITO have on their website the “OPITO Certificate Extension Policy”.
The associated forms are also available on the OPITO website or via links from the policy.
Take time to read the policy. Many of the enquiries our admin team have received are well covered within the “OPITO Certificate Extension Policy”.
We greatly appreciate the efforts of those working in the industry both Onshore and Offshore. Stay safe everyone.
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Posted: March 12, 2020
Due to the ongoing nation-wide situation surrounding COVID-19, we have received a directive from the Dept. of Education to close the facility at the NMCI.
We regret to inform you that all NMCI Services, GTSS & SNO courses from the 16th to 29th March have now been cancelled.
We will continue to take instruction from the Dept. of Education and monitor the ongoing situation and will be in touch with you again with further updates.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding at this time.
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Posted: March 3, 2020
![NMCI](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/IMG_5052-300x200.jpg)
Exciting opportunity to complete a Navigation Assessor course at the NMCI.
The Nautical Institute Ireland Branch & Irish Institute of Master Mariners, in association with the Department of Maritime Studies NMCI, are holding a seminar entitled “Seafarer Wellness – Are the signals being read?” on March 26th at the NMCI.
In advance of this seminar the Nautical Institute will be delivering a Navigation Assessor course at the NMCI on March 24th & 25th.
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Posted: February 20, 2020
![GTSS team members in a life raft](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_8434-300x200.jpg)
Our history
GAC Training & Service Solutions Limited (GTSS) was launched in February 2010, aiming to provide cost saving and innovative training solutions for the LNG industry and other maritime sectors. GTSS combines GAC’s global reach, over sixty years of maritime expertise and powerful branding with the National Maritime College of Ireland’s (NMCI) skilled lecturers and instructors.
GAC’s business philosophy is about people, and long-term relationships with them. GAC value all people, whether they are a customer, a potential client, a partner, a supplier or one of their 9,000 employees in fifty countries around the globe.
Together, both companies recognise that optimally trained staff can crucially reduce physical, environmental and financial risks. GTSS offers a comprehensive range of courses and services, catering to the growing needs of the maritime industry. Visit https://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/gtss to see a full list of courses.
![GAC and Irish Flag flying outside the NMCI](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GAC-Pic-300x169.jpg)
A new era in bespoke training
2014 was the beginning of a new exciting era for GTSS when the company was awarded, what was then a four-year, training contract with an oil major. This was the single largest maritime training contract in the history of the Irish state and training continues to this day.
Our client made the decision to focus on the value added training of its ship’s officers to further increase efficiencies and most importantly safety throughout its fleet and met with several colleges
around the world for this purpose. At the end of the process the client choose GTSS as its preferred training partner due in part to the college’s modern physical facilities, favourable location and in part to the NMCI’s unique commercial experience, ethos and structures.
GAC played an important part in the decision process as they already had a long established global contract with the client for shipping services.
At the time of the signing of the contract Minister Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation was quoted as saying;
“Here is an Irish organisation, winning deals with a major US company, increasing its export sales and ultimately creating jobs in Ireland. I wish both parties every success with this project”.
Customer focus
We recognise that our clients’ needs are not all the same and therefore our bespoke training reflects this. Our team have travelled to meet with clients from all industry areas, ranging from cruise
companies, and oil majors to superyachts management companies to discuss exactly what their training requirements are and where their preferred training locations are based.
Specialist training by experienced maritime professionals is fundamental to realising profitable efficiencies and minimising environmental and financial risks, both onshore and shipside. GTSS continues to provide innovative and cost saving training solutions to the maritime industry.
GTSS course developers and lecturers have unrivalled knowledge in military training, oil and gas, logistics, chartering, trading, ship operating, shipbroking and navigation. We have invested in building a focused team of highly qualified maritime and operational professionals to ensure the clients we collaborate with receive specialised training of the highest standards.
![SRS course delegates and instructor in the simulator at the NMCI](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Page-5-Sim-Image-300x199.jpg)
![Teekay GAS training at the NMCI](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Teekay-GAS-300x200.jpg)
The future
It has been an exciting ten years for GTSS. We will continue to provide niche, high value and technologically advanced training courses, while empowering professionals, in the Maritime, Transport & Commodity Sectors for many years to come.
James O’Byrne, Managing Director of GTSS said,“10 years of GTSS in business is a proud moment for us. Not only does it signal 10 years of continuous success and loyalty, more importantly, it signals 10 years of providing vital training to the maritime industry. Thousands of seafarers have attended our courses and we have influenced their decisions and cultures onboard. We like to think that the industry is a safer place for our training. This is what makes us proud. We shall continue to grow and share our message across all sectors of our industry and make the world a safer and kinder place.”
![GTSS Team with Balloons](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GTSS-Team--300x300.jpg)
For more information on GTSS courses please visit https://www.nmci.ie/index.cfm/page/gtss
For more information on GAC please visit https://www.gac.com/
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Posted: February 11, 2020
What do I need to know about GWO courses?
Wind power is a clean, domestic, sustainable energy source. A wind turbine creates reliable, cost-effective, pollution-free energy instead of traditional fossil fuels. Wind energy is currently the largest contributing resource of renewable energy in Ireland. It is both Ireland’s largest and cheapest renewable electricity resource.
SEFtec NMCI Offshore deliver Global Wind Organisation (GWO) approved safety courses. GWO certification is mandatory for anyone working in the wind and renewables sector both onshore and offshore.
GWO is a non-profit organisation established by globally leading wind turbine manufacturers and owners.
“Members collaborate and identify work activities where the creation of standardised training can enhance safety for technicians and deliver productivity benefits for their companies.” https://www.globalwindsafety.org/
What do I need to do before training at the NMCI?
Delegates must create a personal delegate profile in WINDA and provide their own WINDA ID prior to completing the training. WINDA helps employers verify the certification status of GWO certified training providers and the training status of delegates who have attended GWO certified training courses.
![GWO course registration](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2267-300x200.jpg)
What GWO courses can I complete with SEFtec NMCI Offshore?
Our GWO courses include Basic Safety Training Fire Awareness, Basic Safety Training First Aid, Basic Safety Training Manual Handling and Basic Safety Training Sea Survival and Transfer, in addition to the refresher training modules.
Basic Safety Training Fire Awareness is a four-hour course and costs €160 to complete.
Upon successful completion of this course delegates will have a knowledge of the development and spread of fire, knowledge of the causes of fires in wind turbines and the dangers related to this, be able to identify any sign of a fire in a wind turbine environment, demonstrate knowledge of the contingency plans in a wind turbine environment including smoke detection and emergency escape procedures. Delegates will be able to demonstrate correct actions on discovering a fire including correct operation and fire extinguishing by means of the firefighting equipment in a WTG.
![GWO Basic Safety Training Fire Awareness](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2241-e1580835526274-200x300.jpg)
Basic Safety Training First Aid is a two-day course and costs €320 to complete.
The aim of this BST Module is to administer safe and effective First Aid in the wind turbine industry/ WTG environment, in accordance with GWO First Aid training through theoretical and practical training.
![GWO First Aid Training](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2387-300x200.jpg)
Basic Safety Training Manual Handling is a four-hour course and costs €120 to complete.
The aim of this Module is to encourage positive Manual Handling behaviour and train delegate’s ability to perform Manual Handling tasks in a safe manner in the wind turbine industry/environment. Delegates will be able to demonstrate a problem solving approach to Manual Handling in a wind turbine environment and identify signs and symptoms of injuries related to poor Manual Handling techniques.
![GWO Manual Handling](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2365-300x200.jpg)
Basic Safety Training Sea Survival and Transfer is a one-day course and costs €395 to complete.
The aims of this BST Sea Survival course are, by theoretical and practical training to give the participants the basic knowledge and skills to act safely and take the correct preventive actions in all aspects of offshore operations from shore to installation vessel or WTG and vice versa, both during normal operation and in an emergency in an offshore wind energy environment.
![GWO Sea Survival and Transfer](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2432-300x200.jpg)
Delegates receive certificate upon successful completion of course. This certification is valid for 2 years. Delegates will then need to complete refresher training before the expiry date of each certificate. Refresher training takes less time and costs less to complete to it is important to keep certs safe.
![GWO refresher training](https://blog.nmci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_2493-e1580835643847-200x300.jpg)
Have any questions?
The NMCI is located in Ringaskiddy, Cork. There is an hourly bus from Cork Airport to the NMCI, via Carrigaline.
Our administration team are happy to provide you with a list of local accommodation should you require this while training at the NMCI.
There is 0% VAT charged on courses in Ireland.
If you have further questions email services@nmci.ie and we’ll be happy to assist. Alternatively call +353 21 4335609 to speak with an administrator.
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