Elevating Safety & Efficiency with Training at the Maritime Skills Academy

One of the most important aspects of maintaining high standards in maritime operations is through training. An inclusive approach enhances the skills and knowledge of officers and crew while ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with industry standards.

The Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) is pivotal in providing top-tier training for maritime professionals. The MSA helps clients elevate their operational capabilities and safety standards by utilising state-of-the-art facilities, expert trainers, and world-class simulators.

Captain Josip Kulas Bridge Simulator MSA Portsmouth | Maritime Training at the Maritime Skills Academy

Training is an ongoing process that encompasses various aspects of shipboard life, from technical skills to safety protocols. At the MSA, clients can benefit from hands-on training in navigation, engineering, and communication systems using the latest technologies.

Our bridge simulators offer realistic scenarios, so crew can better prepare for emergencies and crisis situations, in accordance with the maritime regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Accident Investigation

Accident investigation is critical for improving safety standards in any industry. Using our expert analysis, instructors guide clients in identifying causes of accidents and implementing preventative measures.

Based on the investigation, the client will then receive documented recommendations to improve safety protocols on board, enhancing the safety of crew and passengers.

HR and Policy Creation 

Effective Human Resources (HR) management and policy creation are crucial for successful operations.

Clients will receive expert advice on developing clear policies and strategies around working hours, rest periods, and crew welfare. As a result, the client will be better equipped to support their crew and increase staff retention.  

Safety Procedures Advice and Design 

Designing robust safety procedures is a cornerstone of onboard training. As part of our training package, the MSA can provide clients with guidance by creating tailored Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for daily operations and emergencies. Our expert trainers will work with clients to identify potential hazards and establish effective mitigation strategies to accompany this. Involving the crew in safety planning will foster a safety culture, increasing crew engagement. 

Man in hi-vis orange jacket, holding a clipboard | Maritime Training with the Maritime Skills Academy

Safety Audits 

Clients will benefit from thorough assessments, guaranteeing their vessels comply with safety standards. This can then be supported by actionable advice to enhance existing measures and practices. But the support doesn’t stop there. We believe in “Setting New Standards Together,” which is why, at the MSA, our clients can receive ongoing support to maintain high safety standards through regular audits and assessments.  

Port Studies 

Port studies are crucial for understanding local conditions and regulations. With the assistance of our bridge simulator, crew can gain insights into port layout, and specific regional rules for efficient navigation and operations. This progressive approach will help crew to anticipate and mitigate potential risks specific to each port. 

Image of simulator screens | Maritime Training at the Maritime Skills Academy

Independent Officer and Crew Skill Set Assessments 

Utilising bridge and engine simulators, regular assessments of officers and crew are vital for maintaining high standards on board. The MSA offers skill evaluations, in which clients receive detailed assessments of crew and officer skills, knowledge, and performance. With regular evaluations, clients can promote accountability and excellence in their operations.  

How can the Maritime Skills Academy support you with Maritime Training?

As stated, training is critical in elevating safety and efficiency in the maritime industry. The MSA is a leader in providing high-quality training, assessments, and audits, utilising our state-of-the-art facilities.

Book with us today to enhance your operational capabilities and maintain the highest standards of excellence.

To learn more about these training courses, please email Director of Training and Simulation, Plamen Marinov at: plamenm@vikingmsa.com

What Is A Maritime Academy?

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we offer a wide range of courses that cover everything from navigation and maritime law, to vessel operation and management. We also offer a variety of specialised courses that focus on specific areas of maritime transportation, such as tug operation and maritime security.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at the role of a maritime academy in maritime education, and the courses that they offer.

So, What Is It?

A maritime academy is a technical school that focuses on the study of all aspects of maritime transportation and related technologies. Maritime academies prepare students for careers as merchant marine officers and in other maritime professions.

Maritime academies have a long history that dates back to the 18th century, when the first maritime schools were established in the United States and Europe. These early schools were created in response to a need for trained sailors to man rapidly growing merchant marine fleets.

What Do Maritime Academies Teach?

Maritime academies are different from traditional colleges in that they typically offer intensive courses rather than academic degrees. Maritime courses typically last between one and five days, and focus on a mix of classroom-based learning and hands-on training.

Some courses offered by maritime academies are mandatory for all students who wish to enter a maritime profession.

Such as the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).

These courses typically cover the basics of maritime law, navigation, and safety.

Maritime academies also offer specialised courses that are specific to certain types of vessels, such as tugboats, tankers, and cruise ships. These advanced courses usually aren’t required by law, but are still a condition of employment as mariners take on more responsibilities in their professions.

What Is A Maritime Academy Student Maritime Skills Academy
Maritime academy student’s learning at Maritime Skills Academy

What Are Maritime Academy Courses Like?

The specifics of a maritime academy course will depend on the course being taken. That said, all maritime academy courses typically consist of both theoretical and practical training.

Theoretical Training

Theoretical training is usually classroom-based, similar to what you would find in a traditional college setting.

However, maritime courses often have a more hands-on focus than most college classes. This is because much of the information being taught is best learned through experience. For example, a course on maritime law might include case studies and real-world examples to help students understand how the law applies in practice.

Practical Training

Practical training is an essential part of maritime education. Maritime academy students typically spend a significant amount of time learning how to operate vessels and handle various maritime tasks.

Practical training is often conducted on-site at the maritime academy, using mock-ups or simulators that replicate real-world conditions. An example of this is the Maritime Skills Academy’s Tug Simulator (TUGS), which is used to train delegates in the operation of tugboats.

Tug Simulator (TUGS)

Practical training also often takes place on actual vessels. This type of hands-on experience is essential for students to get a feel for what it’s actually like to work as a seafarer.

Do You Need a Degree to Attend a Maritime Academy?

No, you do not need a degree to attend a maritime academy, but some advanced courses require that students complete more basic courses before enrolling. For example, the Maritime Skills Academy’s Medical First Aid (MFA) course is a prerequisite for the Proficiency In Medical Care (PMC) course.

Medical First Aid (MFA)

Proficiency In Medical Care (PMC)

What Is A Maritime Academy Maritime Skills Academy
Maritime Skills Academy can help your maritime career

Maritime Academy Course Examples

Now that you understand the basics of maritime academies, here are a few examples of courses on offer at the Maritime Skills Academy to give you a better idea of what maritime courses are like:

Basic Safety Training (BST)

The Maritime Skills Academy’s Basic Safety Training (BST) course is a mandatory course for all students who wish to enter the maritime profession. The course contains all of the modules required to complete the Basic STCW certification, including:

  • Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
  • Personal Survival Techniques
  • Elementary First Aid 
  • Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
  • Security Awareness

The course is delivered over five days at one of our training locations in Dover, Portsmouth, or Gibraltar. 

Crisis Management & Human Behaviour (CMHB)

The Crisis Management & Human Behaviour (CMHB) course is designed to help students understand how people behave in crisis situations and how to manage those situations effectively.

The one-day course covers topics such as:

  • Organising ship board emergency procedures
  • Controlling the response to emergencies on board
  • The psychology of emergency situations
  • Practising effective crisis communication

The course is designed for any seafarer who will be responsible for the safety of passengers in emergency situations, including ship officers, passenger ship staff, and lifeboat crews.

Trust Maritime Skills Academy With Your Maritime Education

The Maritime Skills Academy is a leading provider of maritime education and training. We offer a wide range of courses to meet the needs of both individuals and businesses.

Our courses are delivered by experienced Maritime Safety Instructors who are passionate about maritime education. In addition, our state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Dover, Portsmouth and Gibraltar give our students the best possible learning experience.

If you’re interested in enrolling on a maritime course, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today to find out more about our courses and how we can help you achieve your maritime goals.

Which Maritime Course Should I Take?

If you’re a prospective seafarer or looking to refresh your STCW, and you find yourself asking “Which Maritime Course Should I Take?” then you may be overwhelmed by the number of courses available when pursuing a maritime education. There are a variety of maritime courses offered, each with their own emphasis and focus.

There is no easy answer when it comes to finding the best maritime course. Every individual has different goals and preferences when it comes to your education and career. That said, we can offer advice about the different courses on offer at the Maritime Skills Academy and the opportunities they unlock.

Let’s dive in!

Basic Safety Training (BST)

Of all the courses we offer, our Basic Safety Training (BST) course opens the most doors by far.

The BST course covers all five modules that make up the Basic Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certification, including:

  • Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
  • Personal Survival Techniques
  • Elementary First Aid
  • Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
  • Security Awareness

Holding the Basic STCW certification is a legal requirement for any mariner that works aboard a commercial vessel longer than 24 meters, including ferries, tankers, cruise ships, and more. In addition, the Basic STCW certification is a prerequisite for many more advanced courses that will help you advance your career at sea.

What Jobs Require Basic Safety Training (BST)?

The BST course allows students to pursue jobs aboard commercial vessels longer than 24 meters. More advanced courses may be required for specialised positions, but the course is a fantastic first step for anyone pursuing a career at sea.

STCW Refresher (updating courses as per Manila amendments)

Here are the refreshers that require updating every 5 years

  • UPST (0.5 days theory and practical)
  • UFP&FF (1 day practical)
  • UAFF (1 day theory)
  • UPSCRB (0.5 or 1 day Theory and practical)
  • UFRB (0.5 day or 1 day theory and practical)
  • UPMC (medical care 3 days practical)

These are mandatory for all people that work at sea to retake the courses every 5 years. These are shorter than the full course you would have taken the first time round. You also have the option to self declare onboard training so you can take shortened updating course.

Which Maritime Course Should You Take Maritime Skills Academy
Which Maritime Course Should You Take Maritime Skills Academy

GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)

GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) is an internationally recognised health and safety certification for people working in the wind energy industry. The program covers five key safety topics, including:

  1. Fire awareness
  2. First aid
  3. Manual handling
  4. Sea survival
  5. Working at heights

MSA has partnered with Guardian to offer all modules of the GWO BST programme. At MSA Dover, we offer the GWO Sea Survival course, covering the topics:

  • Risks related to transfers
  • Transfer from vessel to dock and vessel to foundation
  • Emergency and safety procedures on installations, vessels, and WTG
  • Evacuation from WTG to the water by means of rescue device
  • Individual and collective survival techniques at sea

The one-day intensive course combines both theory and practical elements to ensure that students are prepared for any eventuality while working offshore.

What Jobs Require GWO Basic Safety Training (BST)?

The GWO BST is required for all workers in the offshore renewables industry, including:

  • Technicians
  • Engineers
  • Project Managers
  • Management Staff

Currently, the UK offshore renewables industry employs 31,000 workers, with that number expected to rise to 97,000 by 2030. In short, the GWO BST course positions you to take advantage of a growing industry with great job prospects.

MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1)

The MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1) is a must for anyone looking to pursue a career as a marine engineer or ship operator aboard a commercial vessel under 24 meters in length.

Not only is the course recognised (and often required) by private captains and charter companies, but it is also a required step toward obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency from the MCA.

The AEC1 course covers a variety of topics, including:

  • Compression ignition engines
  • Two- and four-stroke operation cycles
  • Fuel systems
  • Cooling systems
  • Electrical systems
  • Lubrication technologies
  • Power transmission units

Over the five-day course, students will receive both classroom instruction and hands-on experience with engines, allowing them to put their new knowledge to the test.

What Jobs Require MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1)?

Although the MCA Approved Engine Course 1 (AEC1) isn’t legally required for work aboard commercial vessels under 24 meters in length, it is typically required (or preferred) by private captains and charter companies.

In addition, the AEC1 course is a necessary step toward obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency from the MCA. Obtaining the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency along with the Basic STCW certification allows holders to serve as chief or first assistant engineer on Merchant Navy vessels of any size.

Which Maritime Course Should I Take Maritime Skills Academy
Which Maritime Course Should I Take Maritime Skills Academy

ECDIS Training (NACOS Platinum)

According to the Manilla Amendment of the STCW Convention, all deck officers of UK-flagged vessels must be certified in the use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). In short, if you want to pursue a career as a deck officer in the UK Merchant Navy, ECDIS training is a must.

The NACOS Platinum course offered at the Maritime Skills Academy is compliant with both the STCW Convention and the latest IMO model course 1.27. The five-day course covers the use ECDIS under a range of voyage conditions, including:

  • Pilotages
  • Coastal transits
  • Ocean passages
  • Anchorages
  • Harbours and channels
  • Dredged areas

What Jobs Require ECDI Training (NACOS Platinum)?

The NACOS Platinum course is a requirement for all deck officers of UK-flagged vessels. In addition, the course is increasingly being requested by shipowners and operators around the world.

Upon successful completion of the NACOS Platinum course, students will receive a certificate of proficiency that is valid for five years.

Launch Your Maritime Career at the Maritime Skills Academy

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to the question, “Which maritime course is best?”

The best maritime course for you will depend on your career goals and the type of vessel you hope to work on.

At the Maritime Skills Academy, we offer a wide range of approved courses that will help you launch your maritime career. To learn more about our courses or to find out which one is right for you, feel free to browse our course catalogue or contact us to discuss your requirements.