This year, to mark its 40th anniversary, Videotel has released its latest training catalogue, STCW Maritime Training Catalogue 2013-2014, which comprises more than 800 new and updated titles. It also reflects Videotel’s blended training approach for video, computer-based training (CBT) and interactive courses, available in some 29 languages.

Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International, believes the company has worked very hard to earn and maintain its position as the world’s leading maritime training solutions provider due to careful research of the industry’s needs conducted by teams of experts, both in-house and gleaned from industry leaders. He says: “We began making training products for the marine industry back in 1973, at a time when major shipping companies needed to improve their onboard training and IMCO – the forerunner of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – wanted to see high quality training materials supplied to maritime colleges, especially those in fast developing countries. We were delighted to step in and fulfil the brief, having now achieved well over 100 million training hours to date.”

“We still hold true to those values today by carefully researching our programmes, filming on location onboard ships and selectively using animation as and when circumstances dictate. Nothing, however, can achieve the emotiveness of film. A comprehensive team of experts from all sectors of the industry make up our highly respected steering committees. With every production, our experienced in-house team seeks the highest levels of quality and accuracy, consulting industry experts at every stage. What’s more, we continually update our material as regulations and operational techniques change.”

Videotel also boasts tutor-led distance learning training courses through Videotel Academy’s virtual classroom. As well as offering a selection of training titles and Webinars, Videotel Academy also offers bespoke training solutions for companies with specific requirements for their in-house training.

All training provided by Videotel is compliant with IMO ISM STCW standards and is available on board using Videotel On Demand (VOD), as well as online and onshore in video, CBT, interactive CD and accompanying booklet formats.

Following a series of incidents and fatalities involving lifeboat hooks, InterManager, the international trade association for the ship management industry, has gathered comments from seafarers of various ranks in an online discussion forum.

Crew members responded by pointing out that they believed the hook designs have not kept pace with developments in the global shipping industry. “Nothing really has changed for the last five millenniums,” said one Chief Engineer with 35 years’service on chemical carriers. “These hooks are lethal,” he said. A second Chief Engineer questioned: “Why are we still using very old designs and materials?” and a Master commented “I don’t trust hooks and their arrangements.”

Adding to the debate, a Captain questioned training regimes, saying: “Because almost every vessel has lifeboats of a different design it is very often [a] steep learning curve for all involved.”  While another likened his onboard training to “Russian roulette”.

Respondents included experienced Masters, Captains, Chief Engineers and Chief Officers who had served on a variety of vessels including LNG, chemical carriers, tankers and container ships.

InterManager Secretary General, Captain Kuba Szymanski, said: “There is a great depth of feeling in the industry on the subject of lifeboats and their safe operation. They are meant to save lives not to endanger them further. I am pleased InterManager has been able to facilitate this debate”

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Notes To Editors:

· The full InterManager discussion can be seen on the InterManager Linked-In page: www.linkedin.com

· InterManager also has a Facebook page which in its first month of operation has already attracted 5,000 viewers.

Developed in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, and created from Videotel’s highly successful web Fleet Training Administrator (webFTA), Videotel webFSA is a highly secure web based solution built around cloud based technology providing the detailed reporting needed to access to a surveyor’s records, results and performance instantly via the internet – wherever in the world they are operating. This will provide the Member State with the detailed reporting necessary to meet the requirements of the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS), Resolution A.946 (23) which is likely to become mandatory in 2015.

“Videotel webFSA is an extremely powerful, highly secure, on-shore records management programme, comprising of an outstanding piece of software that offers a custom made solution for Member States,” explains Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International. “Since Videotel was established 40 years ago we have worked closely with the IMO and Member States to understand the specific needs of the regulatory side of the industry and to provide training and administrative support to simplify the compliance process. The time saved by a Member State using webFSA is significant.

“Working from a central database makes operations run smoother for everyone. This simple to use system saves time tracking surveyor training and processes audits quickly. With the individual training planner, the management team is able to build custom training schedule matrices targeting individual surveyor ranking using an easy-to-use drag and drop interface.”

Videotel webFSA allows surveyors to maintain and progress their education and training wherever they are in the world, accessing Videotel On Demand (VOD) Online through the Videotel webFSA portal.

This new, highly secure web-based system allows surveyor training programmes to continue uninterrupted, providing full access to the VOD suite of training titles, the individual Member State surveyor training programme schedule and real-time training records, any time a surveyor accesses the system through an internet connection. Fast, flexible, requiring no software whatsoever and with an unlimited number of users able to use the system at any one time, there is no compromise on speed of delivery.

Videotel webFSA will provide Member States with the tools they need to meet quality objectives in areas as diverse and difficult to police as Registration, Survey & Inspection, Casualty Investigation, STCW Compliance, Development of National legislation and Port State Control to name a few.

This appointment provides the firm with five former mariners at partner level, with Ian joining the existing team of Mike Mallin, Tony Goldsmith, Phil Haddon and Andrew Gray. This team is further strengthened by another five ex-mariner assistants, two of whom are qualified solicitors.

Ian’s casualty practice includes pollution, total losses, collisions, fire, structural failure, engine and electrical system failure, salvage, unsafe ports and cargo damage including chemical tanker contamination. He also defends against casualty related criminal charges and advises on the contractual and third party disputes that arise from casualties, including those which flow from cargo damage. In addition, Ian advises on MARPOL issues, hull and machinery claims, piracy and ship management disputes.

Ian has extensive commercial experience as a former ship manager and ship-owning company director. He remains close to the shipping community, serving as a director and general counsel of InterManager, the international trade association for ship managers. Ian contributes to seminars and writes for the trade press on litigation risk management, casualty management, seaworthiness and the ISM Code.

Maria Pittordis, who leads Hill Dickinson’s marine, trade and energy group, states: “Ian’s wealth of legal, seafaring, ship management and commercial experience further strengthens our technically experienced and expanding admiralty team who, with the support more than 100 specialist shipping practitioners worldwide, are well positioned to deal with the full range of maritime casualties.”

Maria adds: “Ian has a practical and measured approach in the emotive environment that characterizes the immediate aftermath of a casualty and is recognised for his client focused and commercially pragmatic attitude to settlement negotiations.”

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Notes to Editors:

· Stuart Kempson (Shipping, Liverpool) and Pawel Wysocki (Yacht Team, London) have also been elevated to partner. In addition, Mary Prentice (Shipping, London) and Susan Leonard (Commodities, London) have been promoted to legal director.

· All appointments take effect from 1 May 2013.

· Hill Dickinson traces its roots back to 1810 and represented the owners of the Titanic and Lusitania.

· With more than 190 partners and 1,400 people, the firm serves its client base from eight worldwide locations including Monaco, Piraeus and Singapore, in addition to its UK offices.

· The marine, trade and energy group headed by Maria Pittordis includes, in addition to the shipping team: yachts, (including two yacht masters); personal injury and regulatory; commodities and cargo, freight and logistics.

· Hill Dickinson works with clients across the entire breadth of the marine sector including leading ship owners, cruise and ferry operators, charterers, shipyards, P&I clubs, port and terminal operators, underwriters, traders, salvors, the energy/offshore sector and the cargo, logistics and warehousing industries. The firm also works with shippers, traders, commodities end-users and trade associations such as GAFTA and the RSA, as well as specialist yacht finance houses and banks, owners and borrowers.

· Ian MacLean’s LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/icmaclean

· Maria Pittordis’s LinkedIn profile: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/maria-pittordis/25/523/8a9

The Oslo office will focus on the specialised tanker sector forming part of Braemar’s existing specialised team of 14 brokers. It will be led by Joachim Hagen-Hansen who will commence broking within the next three months. The office will be opened by Eirik Hagen with effect from 6 May.

James Kidwell, CEO of Braemar Shipping Services Plc, commented: “We are delighted to welcome two brokers of the calibre of Joachim and Eirik and to have the opportunity to extend our commitment in this important sector. They will develop our client services and market coverage in an exciting way.”

Crewsure provides medical and personal accident insurance directly to crew and is underwritten by the Munich Group, one of the world’s leading Insurance Companies. The benefits provided are tailored to meet the needs of crew and the latest requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

“Crewsure complements our strategy of assisting clients in both the marine and offshore sectors to set new standards for the duty of care provided to their crew,” says Simon Morse, Executive Chairman of Griffin. “Historically the primary focus of marine services’ companies has been the owner, the vessel, or the cargo; and while contractually Crewsure’s client is the employer; the ‘door-to-deck’ service offered by us in partnership with GAC provides benefits directly to individual members of crew when in need.”

Robert Johnston, Managing Director of Crewsure, explains: “The aim of Crewsure is to improve the welfare of crew by replicating the same type of health insurance that is provided to key employees based ashore, rather than simply mitigating owners’ risks to large claims. By extending the breadth of cover, reducing the excess, simplifying the claim process and providing local on-the-ground support in over 1,000 ports we can significantly transform the level of service provided to onboard personnel while containing the cost of cover well within existing levels. We are pleased to have appointed G2 Crew Services as our Correspondent recognising the potential of the Crewsure product and its valuable role in handling crew in need of medical support and evacuations around the world.”

The suggestions, which emanated from a comprehensive eight language survey conducted by Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) over a 12-month period to February 2012, focus as much on fears of their own human rights being violated as on a lack of due process in the criminal process.

A total of 3,480 completed questionnaires were submitted by seafarers from 68 different nationalities.

According to the seafarers themselves, there is a frequent lack of due process for seafarers who face criminal charges. Seafarers are complaining of unfair treatment, intimidation and a lack of legal representation and interpretation services. Almost half of the seafarers in the survey said that they would be reluctant to co-operate fully and openly with casualty inquiries and accident investigators because of concerns they could be implicated in a crime; because they do not trust the authorities; and because they are concerned that co-operation would have a prejudicial affect upon their employment.

The findings in the survey strongly suggest that the rights of seafarers, as enshrined in the Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the event of a Maritime Accident, adopted by the IMO and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are often be subject to violation: itself causing widespread concern among seafarers.

As many as 85.04% of seafarers surveyed, said that they are concerned about facing criminal charges. The main reasons were that seafarers feel they are scapegoated. Also seafarers feel there are numerous regulations which make them more vulnerable to being criminalised.

To improve the situation, seafarers want more information on the risks they are exposed to in relation to criminal charges as well as their rights if they are defendants, complainants or witnesses. They also want good and free legal representation when facing criminal charges; a fair process and fair treatment when facing criminal charges; a greater network of support from all the various stakeholders in the maritime industry if they do face criminal charges; and more uniform laws and procedures given the wide range of different crimes to which they are exposed.

“The message from seafarers is loud and clear,” said Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of SRI: “Seafarers are saying that their rights are theoretical and illusory; they need them to be practical and effective.

“Since criminal laws are largely tailored to nationals, they are an uneasy fit for foreign and temporary transnational workers. It is clear that seafarers are more exposed to criminal proceedings than many other workers and therefore need special assistance,” she added.

“The seafarers’ suggestions for what is needed to improve their situation, or their perception of their situation, offer a challenge to the maritime industry and to prosecuting authorities generally, if seafaring is to remain a viable option for young people.

“The SRI survey has brought the seafarers’ concerns to the fore and it is hoped it will create momentum amongst stakeholders - seafarers’ organisations, employers, regulators and non-governmental bodies, in addition to seafarers themselves - to better address the unfair treatment of seafarers. It seems that much remains to be done to protect this body of essential workers from unfairness and injustice but the effort is essential not only for the protection of serving seafarers, but also to improve the image of the profession for new recruits to come,” Ms Fitzpatrick concluded.

The 100th session of the IMO Legal Committee was attended by 88 member government delegations; 2 associate member delegations; 1 specialised agency; 2 intergovernmental organizations; and 20 non-governmental organizations.
The Committee agreed that the issue of fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident should remain on its agenda and be discussed again in 2014.

A full copy of the SRI Survey is available at http://www.seafarersrights.org/category/sri-criminal-survey.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents 80% of the world merchant fleet, and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents seafarers’ unions worldwide, have made a joint submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) commenting on the apparent failure of some flag states to submit maritime casualty reports to IMO. This is a requirement under several international maritime Conventions, including the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS).

ICS and ITF hope that governments will give consideration to this important issue at the next meeting of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in June.

In accordance with SOLAS regulation I/21, maritime administrations undertake to conduct investigations into any casualty occurring to ships under their flag, and to supply IMO with pertinent information concerning the findings of such investigations.

In accordance with other Guidelines adopted by IMO, this is meant to include incidents defined as being a “very serious marine casualty” involving the total loss of the ship, a death, or severe damage to the environment.

“The lack of investigation and accident reports hinders the development of appropriate measures by IMO to address the cause of serious incidents in which seafarers may have lost their lives.” said ITF Acting General Secretary, Stephen Cotton.

“It also frustrates efforts by ship operators to learn from the reports and to amend or develop new procedures, or implement other measures to prevent or mitigate similar future incidents.” said ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe.

ICS and ITF have therefore suggested that further consideration might be given by IMO to what constitutes “a very serious marine casualty” and the extent to which flag states should retain the latitude which they currently enjoy when determining whether the results of any investigation should be submitted to IMO.

As a first step, they have suggested that, in consultation with ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization), IMO might consider whether any lessons might be learnt from the approach taken towards the submission and dissemination of accident reports within the aviation industry.

Admiral Brady joined the Honourable Union Minister of Shipping Shri G. K. Vasan and Indian Shipping Secretary Shri P. K. Sinha at the event, the theme of which was: Celebrating The Past And Charting The Future Of Indian Shipping.

Delivering the keynote speech, he outlined the recent Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and spoke of India’s important contribution towards the effort. Speaking afterwards, Admiral Brady said: “India plays an important role in the global shipping industry and provides a large number of officers and seafarers to the international fleet. It was a great honour to attend this event and to celebrate India’s commitment to crew welfare and standards of seamanship.”

He told guests: “As a maritime practitioner, I am cognisant of the needs of the shipping industry for highly qualified and capable seafarers on the one hand and, on the other hand, the needs of the seafarers themselves to be competent and confident in their work at sea, based on sound technical knowledge, training and experience. Competency achieved through the fulfillment of the requirements of the STCW Convention satisfies both the industry and the seafarer himself. It also provides for higher levels of safety, security and efficiency of shipping, along with the sensitivity to protect the marine environment.”

The Indian shipping sector has seen tremendous growth since the country’s independence in 1947 when its merchant shipping fleet consisted of 59 ships with a total tonnage of about 0.19 MGT. Today the Indian fleet has increased to 1,162 vessels comprising 10.36 MGT.

Shipping Minister Vasan told guests that more than 250 Indian seafarers have been taken hostage by pirates since 2007 and eight Indian crew members are currently held hostage in Somalia. “I would like to reiterate that the Government of India is working hard to secure the early and safe release of our seafarers held hostage. We shall continue our proactive role, both domestically and internationally, in curbing the menace of piracy,” he said.

Voyager 4 has been installed on a wide range of vessels operating around the world to ensure the new system is thoroughly tested in live environments. More than twenty vessels have been involved with trials including USAC’s Hatta working out of Bahrain, Finner Shipping’s Red Fin, currently in Egypt, and Gulf Offshore’s Highland Eagle based in Aberdeen.

“Sea trials are an essential stage of our new product development programme. The Thomas Gunn Voyager team is made up of highly experienced mariners, navigators and technical experts, but at the end of the day it’s the experience on the bridge that determines our products’ success” said Mike Bailey, ex. Captain and ex. marine superintendent, and now Head of Product Development at Thomas Gunn. Sea trials feedback is essential in guaranteeing reliability, ease of use and ensuring Voyager is designed and developed to meet real-life operational requirements.”

Voyager is now leading the market in terms of chart management and updating tools. Shipping companies operating globally with tight port turnaround times all benefit greatly from being able to access safety and compliance information electronically and having a wide range of information at the fingertips of their crews.

“This latest Voyager release is even better than ever, including some excellent new services such as our new Navarea Warnings service and the Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) and Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO) viewer making Voyager the most comprehensive British Admiralty updating service on the market today. From the sea trials feedback we’ve been getting, it’s clear that our customers around the world really like Voyager and are enjoying exploring and getting even more from its new functionality” added Mr Bailey. “We’ve also had the opportunity to gain feedback on how customers would prefer to buy the additional modules and time-saving applications that are included in the new version which are helping us create innovative new purchasing options that really appeal to our different audiences.”

New Voyager 4 is the only system that provides a 100% complete BA Chart update service and has the one of best data compression rates available today – making data download times both fast and extremely cost effective. Voyager also includes a free Vessel Management Service to help ship owners and ship managers cut administration time, improve safety, better manage information and ensure compliance across the fleet - whether navigating with paper or using digital technology.

New Voyager 4 will be available from Thomas Gunn and its agents from May 2013.