Author: Abhishek Puri

We are excited to announce that Viking Marine Services (part of  Viking Recruitment Ltd, UK) now has a full-time dedicated office in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.

It focuses on yacht recruitment, yacht crew management, cruise ship recruitment  and cruise ship crewing services.

The new set up, spearheaded by Sue Price, Director of Operations, takes part in the global Viking portfolio of offices which operate alongside Dover (head office), Southampton, Guernsey, Manila and Auckland offices.

Sue Price joins the Viking group with 23 years of experience and knowledge in the yacht industry. Sue is a very well respected and prominent figure within the Fort Lauderdale marine yachting community, and Viking is excited to have her as part of the global team. She works closely with both the UK and New Zealand offices, bringing a transworld service to our candidates and clients.

Date of Issue: 10th May 2018

Efficient Deck Hand is a Maritime and Coastguard approved course required in the UK for those wishing to become able bodied seaman, Deck Officer of the Watch or  Yacht Officer of the Watch.

It is also relevant for those working within the sail training market, tall ships and fishing industry. The EDH is a recognised progressive course enabling the delegates to improve and attain seamanship knowledge. This allows them to not only work efficiently onboard their vessel but also to work safely. The course emphasises two main elements. A theoretical underpinning knowledge of ship practices including cargo operations, use of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers, use of lifting equipment and lifeboats, and helm orders and general ship maintenance. In addition to this, acquiring a practical ability to tie common knots and hitches, splice rope and steel wire rope, utilise different deck equipment such as anchor windlasses and working at height arrangements in the form of painting stages and bosun’s chairs.

The pre-requisites for the course are:

(a)An MCA-accepted Yachtmaster Offshore; or

(b)A Yacht Rating with at least six months’ seagoing service and a steering certificate; or

(c)A Navigational Watch Rating (NWR) Certificate; or

(d)A Boat Master Licence (BML) Tier 1 level 2 certificate; or

(e)A Tug Rating with at least six months’ seagoing service and a steering certificate or an NWR Certificate.

These requirements ensure that all delegates should be familiar with basic nautical terminology, have a basic understanding of the requirements of seamanship onboard their vessels and will be able to contribute to the training sessions with their own personal experiences. Training can take place in workshop and classroom settings, with also practical use of working lifting equipment and lifeboat falls.

The art of traditional seamanship is fading within the merchant navy but is as important as ever. It is not utilised within the everyday chores onboard a modern ship but must often be called upon within an emergency or when a situation arises for which there is not a written procedure or a specific piece of equipment available. These moments require seafarers to be able to draw on their knowledge and come up with not only a solution but a safe and practical one.

For those that feel this course may well be of general interest to them, it can still be completed without any of the pre-requisites mentioned above. A certificate of attendance can be issued which cannot be used commercially but still indicates a good level of expertise if crewing on a yacht or sailboat for example.

The Maritime Skills Academy along with Red Square Medical have now been approved by Y.CO to become part of their All Star Suppliers – this means we have met the very high standards and expectations of Y.CO and it’s fleet of yachts under their management.

James Pool from Y.CO comments, ”Our All Star Suppliers are a network of recommended suppliers that we recognise to be the best in their field and actively promote them and their services to our fleet.”

Mark Jaenicke, Training and Performance Director of the Maritime Skills Academy says, ”We are very excited by this great announcement and look forward to working with and welcoming crew from Y.CO to The Maritime Skills Academy.”

To learn more about Red Square Medical courses, please click here.