Month: June 2011

Time To Take On The Maintenance Challenge

Elaborate Communications

At a time when markets are still down, ship owners need to address maintenance concerns head on and turn to suppliers they can trust. That’s the message from Peter Peltenburg, Group Director of Cargo Care Solutions, worldwide supplier of spares and services for hatch covers and RoRo-equipment.

He has seen a lot of activity in the industry over the last few months, with customers keen to look at alternatives and shop around for the best price. Yet what they are seeing often surprises them as they find that the best value for money solutions aren’t always to be found in the Far East.
“Customers today demand a trustworthy partner”, says Peter. “They are looking for suppliers who are proactive, supportive and who understand their business. The key to meeting these needs is using a supplier with an understanding of the challenges of this fast moving environment, and you can only do this by getting out into the marketplace – attending shows, meeting ship owners and investing in the best possible customer service.

“In the last few years we saw business move from Europe to the Far East but companies are beginning to pull back as manufacturing costs in the Far East are rising. This is a big component of supplier’s costs and very soon we may even find it more cost effective to buy in Europe again where processes have been optimised and you can factor in the customer service element.”

Peter also believes ship owners should carefully assess their maintenance needs. “You can only put off maintenance for so long. For example, as the market begins to move we will see more and more owners pull their vessels out of lay-up. Our challenge is to make the market aware that over time components degrade – we have seen some vessels in bad shape. The hatch cover rubber packing is particularly vulnerable and might be permanently compressed after a long lay-up. The last thing you want when putting a vessel back into service is leakage on the hatch covers.

So with these challenges ahead, there are a lot of opportunities for the business. As Peter says, ”Our company uses manufacturers we can trust, who share our vision and allow us to react quickly and deliver consistent quality. This strategy has worked well for us and we have seen it working for our clients as well.”
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Braemar Market Insight; Dry Bulk Fleet Supply

Elaborate Communications

This year is already a record year for dry bulk carrier demolition.
• In Jan-May 2011, 13.6m Dwt of bulkers have been scrapped, including 7.1m Dwt of Capesize (over 120k Dwt) bulkers.
• If scrapping continues at this pace for the balance of 2011, it could reach 32.6m Dwt, more than three times the previous record set in 2009.

Demolition has previously peaked in years of credit crunches:
• In 2009, 11.7m Dwt of bulkers were scrapped following the global credit crunch. Scrapping was high even though prices per LDT were down on average for the year to around USD 260 compared to an average of around USD 370 in 2007.
• In 1998 11.2m Dwt of bulkers were scrapped following the Asian financial crisis. Scrapping was high even though prices per LDT were only around USD 140, having fallen from USD 180 in 1997.

High prices for scrap steel have undoubtedly encouraged scrapping – in some cases, Capesize bulkers have been sold for scrap for over USD 10m this year. Average Capesize daily earnings in 2010 to date, based on Baltic Exchange data, have been around USD 8,300. At that rate, it would take over three years to earn the USD 10m achievable for scrapping a ship. Banks may be reluctant to extend credit facilities to cover SS/DD costs when earnings are so meagre, further encouraging owners to scrap ships approaching dry docking dates.
The current rate of demolition might offer a ray of hope in the freight markets, but this year deliveries are already outweighing scrapping by almost three to one. In Jan-May, 36.3m Dwt of bulkers delivered, including 20.5m Dwt of bulkers over 85k Dwt. If deliveries continue at this rate for the balance of 2011, they will total over 87m Dwt for the year.

For ships over 85k Dwt, fleet growth in Jan-May 2011 has been 6%. Panamax fleet (60-85k Dwt and Panamax beam) growth has been 2%. Combined Supramax and Handymax fleet growth has been 6%. Handysize growth has been only 2%, but within that fleet the small handy (below 25k Dwt) segment has shrunk by 4%.

Annualised bulk carrier fleet growth based on Jan-May deliveries and demolition will be in the order of 55m Dwt or 10%. It seems likely that oversupply will still be on the agenda in January 2012.

(For figures – see attached pdf)

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Jamaicans Benefit From Global Education

Elaborate Communications

Jamaican seafarers and the country’s whole maritime sector are benefiting from the country’s close association with The World Maritime University (WMU).

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica’s Director General Rear Admiral Peter Brady says: “Our administrators, policy makers and indeed seafarers are improving their knowledge and technical capacity by attending courses at the WMU and then bringing their new skills and experience back to the Caribbean to the benefit of our maritime industries. Together they are helping us achieve safer, cleaner and more secure seas, and contributing to the development of our maritime administrations and industries through their enhanced capacity and academic training.”

Returning from the 29th regular session of the WMU Board of Governors in Malmö, Sweden, chaired by the University’s Chancellor, IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos, Admiral Brady reports that under a new Charter with a new President and tighter Board of Governors with renewed thrust, assisted by new institutional arrangements, the World Maritime University is seeking to improve its financial position and raise its global profile higher by increasing the fellowships for the core MSc programmes, strengthening the research-based activities and extending its outreach with relevant Professional Development Courses.

Over a period of 25 years a total of 27 Jamaicans have graduated with masters degrees from the university. They serve in various senior maritime and executive capacities in Government and in the commercial sector, at the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Caribbean Maritime Institute, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and commercial law firms, while many others have migrated and are now serving in the Governments and maritime industries of several CARICOM States.

Adm. Brady has been a member of the WMU Board for four years. At this, the second meeting of the Board since the governance arrangements at the University were updated through the revision of its Charter, (effective from 1 January 2010), the governors welcomed the improvement in the University’s budgetary position and approved three plans drawn up by the University to guide its future development. The Board approved, as working documents, three plans drawn up by the University to guide its future development: a Strategic Vision Plan, 2010-2015; a Development Plan, 2011-2013 (which includes plans for the relocation of the University to a larger, state-of-the-art building provided by the City of Malmö); and a Business Plan for 2011 and 2012 (which includes much-improved financial modelling tools to support the effective management of the University’s limited resources).
—ends—

Notes To Editors:
• The World Maritime University has established an excellent reputation as the global centre for advanced education, training and research for specialist personnel from the international maritime community. More than 3,000 alumni and graduates from 157 countries and territories, including Jamaica, maintain close links both with the University and among themselves, thereby encouraging and facilitating the highest practicable standards in maritime safety and security and the prevention and control of pollution of the marine environment.
• The University has an international Board of Governors, composed of representatives of different governmental, industry, labour and educational bodies. Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, is a member of the Board of Governors.

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InterManager Announces The Development Completion Of The KPI Project

Elaborate Communications

InterManager, the international trade association for the shipmanagement industry, is pleased to officially announce the completion of the development phase of its six-year project to produce an industry-wide performance measurement tool. Now the Project is set to be rolled-out to the worldwide shipping industry.

Working with The Norwegian Research Council , Marintek, Wilhelmsen ASA and a wide range of Industry Stakeholders, InterManager has developed a global shipping industry standard for defining, measuring and reporting information on operational performance.

The Shipping KPI Project proposes a global shipping industry standard for defining, measuring and reporting information on operational performance in order to boost performance improvements internally in companies engaged in ship operation activities and provide an efficient communication platform about ship operation performance information to internal and external stakeholders through increased transparency.

InterManager President Alastair Evitt, Managing Director of Meridian Marine Management Limited, announced this milestone at a lunchtime reception at the London offices of the International Maritime Organisation today (June 21st). “I am delighted that InterManager members, in collaboration with many industry stakeholders, have been able to bring this comprehensive new measurement system to the worldwide maritime industry. It has taken a great many hours of work and a huge commitment from our membership and other stakeholders to develop the KPI Project and we look forward to working with all industry stakeholders to ensure it grows into a widely used tool that contributes to placing safety and quality firmly at the heart of the shipmanagement process,” he said.

George Hoyt, InterManager Vice President and chairman of the InterManager KPI committee, gave thanks to all members of the InterManager KPI working group and stakeholders. He said, “The KPI project is the greatest example of ‘team work in shipping’ that I have ever been involved in. Every member of the InterManager KPI working group, and the stakeholders who participated in the project, have made valuable contributions. The position we are at today could have only happened with their extraordinary level of cooperation and their common goal of self improvement by creating solutions through collaboration.

He added: “This tool can help us achieve higher levels of effective communication that will lead to greater levels of safety for our seafarers and efficiency for all operators. Given the proper support, this voluntary initiative will be a giant step forward in the industry’s journey towards continuous self improvement and higher levels of safety. Increased levels of transparency will also help us overcome many of the challenges that currently exist in boosting the image of the shipping industry.”

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Technology First For Videotel And APL

Elaborate Communications

In an industry first, Videotel Marine International is pleased to announce that it has signed a ground breaking contract with APL Maritime Ltd. (APL) to provide its award winning ship based training via Networked Video On Demand (NVOD) technology. Videotel is the only training provider to offer NVOD and this partnership with APL sets a high standard of training excellence.
Crews will be able to access courses, interactive Computer Based Training (CBT) and videos via high quality sound, video and graphic files from multiple computers in multiple locations. The system will allow multiple users to train at the same time on different subjects anywhere that can access the ship’s network – even on a laptop in a cabin.
Nigel D. Cleave, Videotel’s Chief Executive Officer, is a great exponent of the technology, ‘NVOD is an innovative, modern, flexible and cost effective delivery mechanism, being an ideal route upon which to deliver training to crew onboard as well as in marine colleges and training establishments. APL is an organisation committed to high quality and state of the art technology – Videotel’s NVOD is an ideal fit with their culture and ideals.’
NVOD operates through a server unit that easily connects to an existing onboard ship network. It provides simple to use training, regular updates, great search functionality and enables easy viewing of personal information, crew records and training activity. All training records are recorded in the OTM+ central database, Videotel’s Onboard Training Manager system, allowing easy back up, import and export to an onshore office, as well as integration capability to webFTA, Videotel’s shore based Fleet Training Administrator which handshakes with OTM+ through Videotel’s Central Training Services (CTS) Cloud system.
APL Maritime operations managers were pleased by the seamless installation of NVOD and its ease of use, not to mention the breadth of content and integration of training record keeping.
APL provides customers around the world with container transportation services and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Neptune Orient Lines, a world leader in global transportation and logistics.

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Elaborate Announces New Deputy Editor

Elaborate Communications

Elaborate Communications, the UK-based PR, marketing and publishing expert in the marine industry, is delighted to announce the promotion of Helen Jauregui to the role of Deputy Editor.

Journalist Helen will have editorial responsibilities across Elaborate’s range of successful maritime titles including Maritime Medical International (MMI), The Ship Supplier and the market-leading Ship Management International magazine.

Helen, who graduated with a First level degree in English Literature from the University of West England before focusing on her career in journalism, has been working with Elaborate for 18 months and has travelled extensively during this time, reporting on a wide variety of issues and events within the global shipping industry. Her in-depth reports have become a mainstay of SMI while her editorial investigations form a central part of MMI’s editorial.

Editorial Director Sean Moloney said: “We are delighted to recognise Helen’s important role within our dedicated editorial team by giving her this extra level of responsibility.”

With more than 8,000 shipowners reading Ship Management International every issue, bimonthly Ship Management International (SMI) is the number one publication for today’s ship owners and ship managers and is the chosen advertising medium for companies wishing to target this essential and highly lucrative market sector. In the 12 years it has been published, The Ship Supplier, which is the magazine of the International Ship Suppliers and Services Association (ISSA), has become the number one magazine for ship purchasing and ship supply.

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Jamaica Joins The World In Thanking Seafarers

Elaborate Communications

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica has thrown itself whole-heartedly into backing the global initiative to thank the world’s 1.5 million seafarers who risk their lives each day.

On June 25th maritime organisations and shipping companies throughout the world, spearheaded by the International Maritime Organisation, will come together on the internet to thank seafarers for their continuing professional dedication to brave the perils of the sea and to ensure world trade remains uninterrupted.

Jamaica will join the universal online campaign to recognise the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

As well as highlighting the campaign on its own website – www.jamaicaships.com –
MAJ staff will be circulating the Day Of The Seafarer logo from their smart phones and tagging facebook friends to raise awareness. The MAJ has also circulated its thanks to Jamaican seafarers and cadets and has held a series of meetings for cadets to learn about the daily rigours of life at sea and the various conventions and laws which will govern their working lives.

This is the first international celebration of the Day Of The Seafarer, which will be marked annually. June 25th has been chosen by the IMO because this was the day on which milestone revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention) and its associated Code were adopted at a Diplomatic Conference in 2010 in Manila, the Philippines. By generating interaction on the web about seafarers, the campaign aims to show respect, recognition and gratitude to seafarers everywhere. This universal outreach of social media will raise awareness of the vital role seafarers play in the world economy and, in many respects, in sustainable development, enabling ships to carry more than 90% of world trade safely, efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.

MAJ Director General, Rear Admiral Peter Brady, chair of the IMO’s Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW) sub-committee, who was chairman during the ground-breaking Manila conference, said: “ Jamaica is delighted to join the rest of the world in paying tribute to seafarers throughout the globe and to Jamaican seafarers in particular. It is particularly exciting to see this day being recognised by using modern technology and social networking which are so central to the modern-day cadet and young seafarer. We hope they enjoy a long and fulfilling career at sea.”

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IMO ‘Day Of The Seafarer’ – Time To Act

Elaborate Communications

IMO ‘DAY OF THE SEAFARER’ – TIME TO ACT

The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) ‘Day of the Seafarer’ – on 25 June 2011 – is the opportunity for renewed efforts to safeguard the human rights of seafarers throughout the world and ensure that they are offered proper legal protection and support. That is the message from Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI), the organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the rights of seafarers and improving their legal protection under national and international laws.

“On this important date, players in the maritime world have to ask themselves the question: how much do they care about the workers who transport over 90% of the goods we all rely on, when crews are risking their lives in pirate-infested waters, vessel abandonment is still happening and there is little or no progress towards a safety net for seafarers facing criminal charges,” says Ms Fitzpatrick. “Now is the time to provide the resources to highlight seafarers’ problems and to challenge the role and effectiveness of the law in protecting seafarers’ rights.”

The ‘Day of the Seafarer’ sees the launch of SRI’s web resource for seafarers and stakeholders. Via the website, SRI will deliver its key objectives of promoting research, education and training in the legal rights and remedies applicable to seafarers. The site is designed to offer practical support and information for seafarers while providing the main delivery mechanism for SRI’s research programmes, articles, news and critical analysis from experts in both the shipping industry and the legal world.

Since its successful launch in September last year, an impressive line-up of influential experts from the shipping industry and the legal world has been recruited to SRI’s Advisory Board.

Three important research projects are under way with results anticipated later in the year. However, preliminary feedback makes compelling reading, providing a clear indication of the concerns of seafarers and the need for information, support and solutions to the problems seafarers face. Worries over unpaid wages, contract disputes, personal injuries, sickness, working hours, shore leave, abandonment, criminal charges and piracy are the grim reality for many seafarers.

“A staggering 96% of seafarers in one sample wanted more information on their legal rights,” explains Ms Fitzpatrick. “Seafarers are highly vulnerable to ill treatment, exploitation, abuse and injustice. Providing them the information they need in an easily accessible way is a key priority for SRI and we are delighted that our new web resource will contribute to that objective.”

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Notes To Editors:

Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) will:

• Promote research, education and training in the legal rights and remedies applicable to seafarers for the purpose of improving the effective protection of seafarers and the safeguarding of their interests;
• Increase interest among lawyers in seafarers’ rights and help them develop expertise across the range of maritime, labour and human rights laws;
• Provide strategic legal support to contribute to political, industrial, campaigning and lobbying agendas towards the promotion, protection and enforcement of seafarers’ rights under a just system of laws;
• Raise awareness on issues of seafarers’ laws, rights and remedies among policy makers, lobbyists, academics, legal practitioners and stakeholders generally in the maritime industry and beyond;
• Establish seafarers’ rights as a standard subject for students of law;
• Identify current issues in the maritime industry concerning seafarers that can be developed further into outreach projects with practical outcomes for seafarers and others working to assist seafarers; and
• Produce publications, such as online toolkits, guidelines for lawyers, checklists for seafarers and a dedicated website.
• SRI generally will not carry out advocacy, campaigning or case work because many others are doing this work well. Instead, SRI will aim to strengthen and support that work.

For further information please contact:

Elaborate Communications
Sean Moloney / Debra Massey Tel. +44(0) 1296 682 356
Website (launch: 00.01, 25 June 2011) Website: www.seafarersrights.org

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Access To Ships Tops Convention Issues

Sean Moloney

Access to ships was one of the hot topics raised at the recent 56th Annual ISSA Convention & Trade Exhibition which, for the first time ever, was held at sea.

The problem is a bone of contention worldwide with many companies encountering difficulties since the introduction of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

“In some places you have to pay large amounts of money to take your supplies into the port while in other places people are having great difficulty getting in,” explained ISSA President Jens Olsen.

“Problems can arise when you have to have certification for every person going into the port. The bureaucracy is really increasing and you have to buy the certification in many places, so it is turning into a bit of a money machine.”

ISSA is pressing ahead with its campaign to highlight the issue and will raise it at the IMO Facilitation Committee’s 37th session in September. It is one of many objectives on Mr Olsen’s up-to-date ‘Road Map’ which sets out the Association’s aims for the next three years following his re-election as President at the Convention, held on a ship between Copenhagen and Oslo.

The Convention “surpassed all expectations” according to the President despite posing a logistical challenge: “There was a good, constructive spirit surrounding the Convention and since returning I have had a great response which has all been extremely positive,” said Mr Olsen.

It was also the first Convention to be held following the change in the ISSA Governance which saw the former ISSA Board dissolve itself to reform as the ISSA Assembly and the Executive Committee become the Executive Board.

Other re-elections to the Board were Treasurer Alfred Borg, Matti Kokkala, Chairman of the Finnish Ship Suppliers and Abdul Hameed Hajah, Hon. Secretary of the Singapore Association of Ship Suppliers. Rafael Fernandez, Chairman of the Spanish Ship Suppliers, also joins the Board.

Next year the 57th Convention will be held back on dry land in Cadiz, southern Spain from 25th to 26th May and preparations are already well underway.

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Videotel Academy Provides Face-to-Face Teaching Anywhere In The World

Debra Massey

13th June 2011
Ref: 1116

How would you like a teacher who can help your learning wherever you are in the world? Well that’s now a possibility with the launch of Videotel Academy’s tutor-assisted CBT programmes available through its new Learning Management System (LMS) – an entirely new training concept for the shipping industry.

LMS is an entirely new concept in maritime training which combines the benefits of computer-based distance learning techniques with the verbal and visual interaction between tutor and student.

Using this system, students can take part in on-line real time tutorials meaning they can benefit from the classroom experience of taking part in discussions with fellow pupils regardless of where they are in the world. In addition, the system enables students to follow-up points with their tutor in one-to-one discussions.

Offered through a dedicated website, the LMS also provides everything the student needs to study one of Videotel Academy’s maritime training programmes, including uploading assignments, conversing with fellow delegates and researching additional material to enhance their knowledge. Students are provided with a unique log-in name which provides them access to all the resources they need in order to make the most of their learning experience.

Tutorials usually will start at 1200z on the designated day. However, if operational constraints or time-zone difficulties make this problematic, students can log-in at a later time and watch a recording of the tutorial. In this way they can see what their fellow delegates discussed so they do not miss out on the experience.

Videotel Academy is introducing a range of new training packages which will offer the services of a qualified tutor to guide pupils through the programme and offer on-line support and guidance and provide feedback on work submitted. One of the first experts to take part in the programme will be David Dearsley, former Deputy Secretary General of the International Shipping Federation, who will tutor the ILO Maritime Labour Convention Tutor-Assisted CBT Course.

Nigel D. Cleave, Chief Executive Officer of Videotel Marine International, says: “This is an exciting new development in the field of maritime training. We believe Videotel Academy’s Learning Management System will provide students with the support and personal contact of an individual tutor at the same time as enabling them to feel part of a wider learning group, so essential and important in maintaining motivation and equally avoiding any possible feelings of isolation.”

—ends—
Notes to Editors:

Videotel began making training products in 1973 and has since pioneered web-based e-learning to become a market-leader in on-board and shore-based maritime training.

Videotel is the largest multi-media producer of high-quality maritime safety training software and materials serving the maritime community today. As well as its award winning programmes on board some 10,000 vessels, Videotel has the largest portfolio of maritime computer based training (CBT) materials in the world.

With over 100 million training hours accomplished to date, Videotel is assisting in promoting the learning of hundreds of thousands of seafarers across the globe.

Videotel’s extensive international training catalogue includes more than 650 titles in a range of formats and various languages.

Videotel’s Computer Based Training (CBT) and online training solutions make possible a huge variety of training opportunities. The latest Video on Demand (VOD) system offers a comprehensive and affordable solution to both on-board crew training and records management aboard ship. The VOD computer system is able to offer more than 350+ selected CBT interactive training packages, videos, courses and accompanying books at any one time, added to which it will contain the appropriate training packages for the BIMCO eLearning Diploma Programme (BeDP).

For Further Information Please Contact:
Elaborate Communications:
Sean Moloney/Debra Massey
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682356
Website: www.videotel.co.uk

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Hutton’s MD adds ‘young’ blood to BASS Council

Elaborate Communications

Fresh blood and forward-thinking ideas are two of the key elements Hutton’s Managing Director Alex Taylor is hoping to bring to the table as the newest, and youngest, member of the British Ship Suppliers Association’s (BASS) Council.

Mr Taylor, who has just turned 32, believes he is probably the youngest-ever serving BASS councillor, but he plans to turn his age to his advantage.

He was voted onto the council at the association’s AGM and luncheon this week, almost 30 years to the day that his father, Alan, joined the same board.

“I think the shipping industry in general is changing at a very fast pace at the moment, and so I think any organisation needs a good mix of older, experienced people on it with some younger members who join with younger ideas, a fresh approach, and who are a bit more in tune with the direction the market is going,” he said.

“It is also about getting as wide a spectrum of companies as possible on the council, and I come from a very established company, one of the biggest players in the UK. At the same time I am very much in tune with way the market is going.”

Like other councillors, Mr Taylor will serve three years before being given the opportunity to be re-elected for a further three years.
He has already identified several key issues he would like to tackle including raising the profile of BASS.

“The way I see it is, this is a very exclusive club for quality suppliers in Britain. It’s a case of maintaining the values so it legitimises the industry and we can use it to promote itself.
“That is a key point I am going to be pushing across during my time on the Council. I am keen to promote the association to ensure the wider shipping industry understands its importance.

“We need to ensure that the name is being pushed all the time – at every trade show and every conference, in the press, and also spend more time in workshops and on round table discussions with other trade associations.”

The promotion, he says, is even more crucial with London hosting the 2013 annual Convention of the International Ship Suppliers Association (ISSA).

“It is a great opportunity in a number of ways,” he said. “It is a great way for Britain to get on the world map and for BASS to get involved with that and to promote companies not to just those within the shipping industry but to people outside of it.”

No decision has yet been announced as to where the Convention will be held in London but Mr Taylor is keen to assist in the preparations and is looking forward to regular BASS meetings to plan proceedings.

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NEW PUBLICATION: TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT ON BOARD – 4TH EDITION

Sean Moloney

8 June 2011
Ref: 1139

This month sees a new edition of the essential maritime publication ‘Training and Assessment on Board’ written by Len Holder and sponsored by Videotel Marine International. Fully updated, it takes into account recent changes in international regulations and advances in teaching techniques using new methods and technology.

Rules alone do not make training effective. It requires the dedication, interest and skill of everyone involved: shore managers; senior officers on board; trainers and trainees. This book, based upon the experience of managers and trainers over many years, aims to make training more effective and enjoyable. Following its advice should make it easier to gain official approval from national administrations.

Training future seafarers in an industry under financial, time and manpower pressures needs good organisation. This book is a vital guide for seafarers and managers and explains how to make best use of the resources and time available to ensure the competence of managers, officers and crew members.

This handy sized full colour, 82 page publication is full of photographs, charts and examples. It is also available as an eBook, allowing easy use on ships, in the office, at home and whilst travelling. Users can use the search facility to locate relevant texts when planning training programmes or drills.

Provided free to all Videotel clients, the book will be used in their shipboard libraries and VOD computers. It will act as a central source of advice on all training and assessment carried out on board, not only as part of voyage training but as part of career development of junior staff 
and continuing professional development of middle ranking and senior personnel.

The book is available from Publishers Witherby Seamanship International at www.witherbyseamanship.com, and at all good maritime chart and book stockists.

Training and Assessment On Board 4th Ed.

By L A Holder
Extra Master, MPhil, Training Consultant
Book: £30.00 ISBN: 978-1-85609-451-1
eBook: £24 ( excludes any applicable taxes) ISBN: 978-1-85609-452-8
Free to all Videotel clients for use on their vessels

—ends—
For a Review Copy Please Contact:
Elaborate Communications
Sean Moloney / Debra Massey
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682356

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Elaborate Strengthens Its PR Team

Elaborate Communications

Elaborate Communications, the leading UK-based PR, marketing and publishing expert in the marine industry, has welcomed two new members of staff to its head office Public Relations team.

Joining Elaborate’s crew are PR Executive Debra Massey and former journalist Samantha Giltrow.

Debra has a wide range of excellent public relations and marketing skills, developed in a variety of blue chip roles, while Samantha also brings superb writing and editing skills gained through many years of experience in publishing.

Editorial Director Sean Moloney said: “Our worldwide PR client list is growing significantly and we are delighted to welcome Debra and Sam to join our dedicated PR team, working alongside Debbie Munford. We are sure our international clients will benefit considerably from their skills and experience.”

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Technology Creates The Tools For Effective Learning

Elaborate Communications

[download id=”294″]BIMCO’s brand new eLearning Diploma is the perfect fit for today’s young shipping professionals. That is the message from Raal Harris, Digital Manager at Videotel Marine International, speaking at next week’s BIMCO General Meeting in Vancouver.

Talking to young delegates at the BIMCO 39 session, he will explore the development of the partnership between BIMCO and Videotel, and how this ground breaking venture led to the development of a Learning Management System that uses modern technology to meet the unique and demanding requirements of today’s maritime students.

“Shipping can be an unpredictable industry,” says Raal. “We need to create an environment where a good education experience can flourish. Students in the shipping industry have many demands on their time and need to respond quickly to external pressures. They need a training course that is flexible, user friendly and meets their individual needs.

“When developing the programme we had to recognise that students find it hard to get to the classroom and often the pressures and distractions surrounding them mean that when they do attend, there can be less focus. Under the new programme students gain from a personal approach – they can tailor the course to integrate their education with their professional and private lives. We are delighted that Videotel’s web-based e-learning technology has made it possible to deliver this knowledge in a practical and affordable way to the employees of BIMCO members wherever they are in the world.”

The demand for effective training and education within the maritime industry has never been greater and will continue to grow. The new programme will enable students to build on their knowledge, acquire increased professional competencies and ongoing personal development at their own time and place.

“Using the new programme, maritime students will be able to access training provided by online specialist experts and tutors carefully selected by BIMCO from the shipping world,” Raal adds.

“The diploma course will be aimed at students and young people entering a trainee or internship programme, staff from shipping companies, agents, brokers, banks and other financial institutions, legal firms, insurance companies or government organisations wishing to learn more about the shipping industry.

“BIMCO encourages young shipping people to expand their professional horizons and to establish themselves as the solid base of the shipping industry of the future. Today, more than ever, the shipping industry’s young professionals across the world can use up to date technology to enjoy the best possible educational experience.”

The BeDP course work will also be rolled out to Videotel client vessels via its unique, comprehensive onboard computer training system, Videotel on Demand (VOD)(which also carries more than 350 CBT interactives, videos and courses), in readiness for enrolling to the BeDP once the seafarer disembarks his or her vessel.

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SHOCKING NEW APPROACH TO SHIPBOARD SAFETY

Sean Moloney

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
1 June 2011
Ref:1133

Videotel Marine International, the leading provider of maritime training systems, has just launched an innovative new training module designed to aid the seafaring industry in its battle to reduce common ship board accidents and the tragic consequences that can ensue. The Hazard Series II module makes extensive use of modern image techniques to grab the viewer’s attention and shock crew members into greater awareness of their own safety and that of their colleagues.

Hazard Series II comprises 10 hard hitting short films designed to both shock and teach the viewer. Filmed using real crew doing real work, they graphically illustrate common errors and then show how, using correct procedures and working techniques, incidents can be avoided before they occur.

“Adequate training, safe working practices and good safety management systems all contribute to a safer working environment on board,” says Nigel D. Cleave, Videotel’s Chief Executive Officer. “Videotel is committed to developing quality training that makes a real difference – both to the industry as a whole and to the lives of individual seafarers.”

Aimed at cadets, deck & engine crew, students at maritime colleges and training officers, this new programme confronts the severity of some easily avoidable mistakes. It provides a fresh new approach to a variety of topics including working on deck in heavy weather, working aloft, electrical work and manual handling.

The programme has been produced in association with The Standard P&I Club. Chris Spencer, Standard Club’s Director of Loss Prevention adds: “The club prides itself on the quality of its service to its members and sets great store on responsiveness and support at all times. The club is committed to assisting members in reducing the number of accidents and claims. This is achieved through a programme of ship condition surveys, management risk reviews, publications, training focused on topical subjects and the club’s safety and loss advisory committee which comprises senior technical and operational personnel drawn from a cross-section of the membership.”

A promotional DVD is also available and allows the viewer to watch up to three of the ten films available. Accompanied by an E-booklet, each film has a chapter detailing the hazards and precautions that must be taken at all times.

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Notes to Editors:

About Videotel:
 Videotel began making training products in 1973 and has since pioneered web-based e-learning to become a market-leader in on-board and shore-based maritime training.
 Videotel is the largest multi-media producer of high-quality maritime safety training software and materials serving the maritime community today. As well as its award winning programmes on board some 10,000 vessels, Videotel has the largest portfolio of maritime computer based training (CBT) materials in the world.
 With over 100 million training hours accomplished to date, Videotel is assisting in promoting the learning of hundreds of thousands of seafarers across the globe.
 Videotel’s extensive international training catalogue includes more than 650 titles in a range of formats and various languages.
 Videotel’s Computer Based Training (CBT) and online training solutions make possible a huge variety of training opportunities. The latest Video on Demand (VOD) system offers a comprehensive and affordable solution to both on-board crew training and records management aboard ship. The VOD computer system is able to offer more than 350+ selected CBT interactive training packages, videos, courses and accompanying books at any one time, added to which it will contain the appropriate training packages for the BIMCO eLearning Diploma Programme (BeDP).
About Standard Club:
 The Standard Club is a mutual association owned by its shipowner members and controlled by a board of directors drawn from the membership.
 The club insures shipowners, operators and charterers for their liabilities to third parties arising out of ship operations.
 The Standard prides itself on the quality of its service to its members and sets great store on responsiveness and support at all times, especially in times of crisis. Just as important is the emphasis on financial strength and stability through the club’s strong balance sheet and financial resilience.
 The Standard Club is a member of the International Group of P&I clubs.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Elaborate Communications
Sean Moloney / Debra Massey
Tel: +44 (0) 1296 682356