November 2009

New Record | New Look | New Program

As AMC Search reaches another record year for the number of maritime industry short course enrolments (>1800) it has recently launched a new look website. You can check this out, as well as the new program for maritime industry short courses in 2010, by clicking here.

For more details on any short courses, contact Cathy Wilson.

For 2009, positions remain open on only two courses:

If either of these are of interest, you will need to contact us very soon.

Simulator Scintillating

AMC’s new state of the art Centre for Maritime Simulation, commissioned earlier this year has been constantly booked since it commenced operation in May. Clients have included TasPorts, Newcastle Port, Maritime Safety Queensland, Woodside Petroleum, ASP Ship Management, Rio Tinto, Flinders Ports, and Bluff Point (NZ).

The hectic pace continues for what’s left of 2009, and the first quarter of 2010 is also showing good bookings.

It has been particularly pleasing to have Ravi Nijer, BRM training specialist, utilise the new simulator as part of his training program for ASP ship masters, and to hear positive feedback from Ravi about the new simulation facility.

Well known Australian Marine Pilot Captain Steve Pelecanos also commented favourably on AMC’s simulator when he was at AMC recently, conducting a competency audit for marine pilots from Bluff, NZ.

The Manager of the simulator, Captain Ian Rodrigues, has introduced many innovative features into the new simulation centre including a Dynamic Positioning capacity on the main bridge, on-the-spot conversion of bridge control console to a bridge-wing configuration for bridge-wing view operations, and custom designed debriefing/simulation review facilities.

For more technical information about AMC’s simulation capabilities please contact Ian.

Six ship operation bridges, and a tug bridge simulator, complement the full mission bridge simulator (above)

Crisis Management in New Zealand

AMC Search was contracted by Interislander, Toll NZ to conduct 4 Crisis Management courses in Wellington during October, 2009. Some 45 deck officers and engineers from the passenger and car ferries ARAHURA and KAITAKI, and from fellow New Zealand ferry operator Strait Shipping, attended the 2 day courses which are designed to meet the requirements of STCW Section V/2 and V/3 covering:

  • Ship design, layout, emergency plans, procedures and drills
  • Optimisation of resources
  • Control emergency situations
  • Human behaviour and responses
  • Establish and maintain effective communications
  • Passenger safety training
  • Practical exercises (drills)

The multi-talented Matt Best travelled to Wellington to deliver the program and, as usual, received very favourable feedback from course participants.

KAITAKI

IMDG Code – Indonesia

A course specifically designed as a “train the trainer”, high level examination of the 2008 edition of the IMDG Code was conducted at AMC recently for 6 Indonesian participants. The Indonesians all hold senior positions in their nation’s maritime industry, including within the Training Centre of PT PERTIMINA (PERSERO), the state owned national oil company.

The program’s aim was to assist the Indonesians meet the requirements of the new Code which, for the first time, brings in a mandatory requirement for IMDG training.

More VTS Training for Indonesia

During December and January/February next year, AMC Search will be conducting VTS Operator training for 20 Indonesian trainees. Nautical knowledge training will be provided in Jakarta, followed by VTS training at AMC using AMC Search’s new VTS simulator and the services of leading international VTS trainer, Bob Shaw. The multi-talented Matt Best will deliver the training in Indonesia, and will also support Bob with the VTS simulation exercises at AMC.

Traffic ship ‘officers’ communicating with the VTS control room

VTS ‘operators’ directing traffic

Dynamic Positioning Dynamic

The Nautical Institute approved Dynamic Positioning Operator courses introduced at AMC this year have clearly met a market need, with 20 courses provided to date for participants from around Australia and New Zealand. Particularly satisfying has been the feedback from trainees commenting on the high quality of training delivery. AMC’s instructors are practicing offshore DP operators, fully conversant with contemporary industry issues and practices, and this makes for particularly effective and practical DP training.

General Consultancies

Recent general consultancy projects awarded to AMC Search include:

  • Computer 3D modelling of refugee vessel destroyed by fire
  • Expert witness evidence of a ship’s safety management system
  • Scoping study for mooring line requirements for proposed new port
  • Preliminary analysis of cold ironing compared to emissions from ships’ providing own power
  • Safety audit for proposed new boat ramp at Bastion Point, Victoria
  • Wave wake analysis for Swan River, in conjunction with Curtin University.

Merry Christmas

As this will be the last AMC Search newsletter for 2009, we take this opportunity to thank all of our clients and short course participants. We wish you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and best wishes for the New Year.