MARITIME TRAINING REMOTE LOCATIONS ENHANCE TRAINING BY LOUISE DEEHAN-OWEN A
s the winter months have thrown their fair share of challenges at some, a company from the Deep South has taken advantage of the season to improve the skills of its vessels' masters. Real Journeys' masters were able to gain their radar certificate and update their skills without leaving the region, thanks to new, portable simulation technology offered by the New Zealand Maritime School. The portable technology has been designed to meet training needs in remote regions and to suit customised company requirements. This simulation technology comes in the inauspicious package of a laptop, yet the software has the power to simulate multiple vessels in multiple world locations, including many New Zealand ports. It allows the lecturer to create navigational challenges and collision avoidance situations encountered on vessels in real time. The students have full control of the vessel and equipment and learn from their actions.
Portable simulation technology opens up training options
The first course took place in the pristine surroundings of Doubtful Sound on the Fiordland Navigator. With sleet on the Wilmot Pass and constant drizzle there was surely no other classroom like it. Class times were modified to suit the captive audience, the main saloon was turned into a computer suite and the for'ard saloon became a class discussion space.
The second course was held at the end of the winter break at the Meridian Lodge,
Simulation allows each student to build an experience base they would otherwise not enjoy. The technology complies with STCW standards for simulation requirements and although it is simple in appearance, the package has a high specification.
across Lake Manapouri at the West Arm. The lodge's facilities and Gloria, the wonderful hostess, again made it easy to deliver the course and a pleasure for the candidates to participate. The masters on both courses completed exercises on different models of radar involving positioning and collision avoidance. Their skills were continually challenged with changing weather and sea states. There was an emphasis on transferring the skills practised to the candidates' working situation, and that is definitely easier to connect with in these locations.
The pressure candidates felt when attending the school was relentless and all made use of the additional time they had to access the lecturer and the technology.
Your fi rst choice in
maritime training
NEW ZEALAND MARITIME SCHOOL
Maritime training designed to meet your company's needs: - Customised training - Maritime consultancy - Flexible learning options including blended delivery for 'Inshore Launchmaster' and 'New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper'.
Maritime New Zealand Licences Marine Engineering STCW '95 Basic Training Mate and Master Yacht Licences.
For a list of our 2011 courses or for more information, contact:
0800 744 722 • maritime@manukau.ac.nz • www.nzmaritime.com New Zealand Maritime School, Level 3, 2 Commerce St, Auckland
November/December 2011 Professional Skipper 57
7536 00080 PS
VIP.S82
