Operational Fire Fighting Training at The Maritime Skills Academy with Head of Training at MSA Dover, Sam Kelly

We spoke to Sam Kelly, Head of Training at MSA Dover, to find out more about the bespoke Operational Fire Fighting Training the MSA delivers to crew.

“In 2022, in the midst of existing Covid restrictions, the shipping world transformed from minimum safe manning and laid up, to full operation almost overnight. This meant new crew were dispatched to new companies to facilitate the company’s operational requirements.

Cruise companies acknowledged the risk with respect to company procedures, especially in relation to the fire safety teams onboard.

I have been working closely with the senior management teams both onboard and ashore for a multitude of clients, creating bespoke, effective, and measurable training standards we have come to know as Operational Fire Fighting.

Their aim is for the crew to embrace and practice specific Emergency Response Plans (ERP) in a variety of scenarios with the end goal being to improve confidence for the crew.

Virgin Voyages led the way with this training with a simple request to the MSA – “Can you train our Filipino crew locally?”.

After a few calls to our partners at United Philippine Line, we quickly found a few suitable training centres. We finalised plans with a training centre in Tagaytay, called COMPASS, that ticked all the boxes to be able to deliver industry-leading courses under the direct supervision of our Maritime Coastguard Agency-approved instructors.

We adapted our current Advanced Fire Fighting course and picked out the most relevant areas that would benefit the crew, relating all the material directly to Virgin Voyages Safety Management System and Emergency Response Procedures.

The feedback from the courses delivered over the last six months has been positive and this enthusiasm has been noted when onboard during port state and weekly drills.

This has also relieved pressure on the Senior Officers, as the training has been carried out across all the Virgin Voyages crew at our multiple MSA facilities.

Virgin Voyages hosts over 60 different nationalities in crew onboard, and in the wake of the war in Ukraine, we have managed to facilitate training for crew members at our new centre located in Gibraltar, navigating Schengen visas and logistics with the help from our partners at the University of Gibraltar.

MSA Gibraltar has also been delivering a one-day Operational Fire Fighting course for cruise calls; collecting fire teams from the cruise terminal, delivering training at the Airport Fire Training centre, and then delivering back to the vessel.

The popularity of this training has been exponential in growth due to the ease for the ship operator and enabling company best practice in a truly real hot and smoky environment.

Considering the popularity of this course, a new partnership has been formed with Gib Dock and the Government of Gibraltar, in building our own fire training module at the University location in Europa Point.”

What is the importance of this beyond compliance training for you?

“The ability to get hands-on with your actual fire teams, in truly realistic fire situations.

Enabling the fire teams to make factual-based decisions on the front line and deploying effective communication skills.

We welcome Senior Officers to attend this training to enable the command-and-control aspect to take place, review effective and concise briefings, and debriefings to the teams. This is the place to make mistakes. Our instructors will be by your side throughout offering expert advice at all levels.

The crew will have more confidence in their equipment and procedures, enabling quicker reactions to situations on board.”

About Sam Kelly

Sam Kelly is Head of Training at MSA Dover.

After graduating with a degree in the Science of Maritime Operations, Sam spent 11 years working as a Navigation Officer in the ferry and cruise industries, visiting ports in the Mediterranean, Baltic, Norway and the Caribbean.

Sam then joined Saga cruises as a Maritime Operations Manager, before progressing to a Marine Superintendent. He played a leading role in bringing the newest Spirit class vessels into service and managed the turnaround operations in the UK as well as all port operations Worldwide.

Sam brings a wealth of knowledge gained throughout his career to his role at MSA Dover.

Explore our full range of maritime training courses here.

Everything you need to know about “Beyond Compliance” Training with Head of Training at MSA Dover, Sam Kelly

Maritime Skills Academy Dover is a purpose built, state-of-the-art simulation centre with industry leading training equipment. MSA Dover offers a range of courses for seafarers, from personal survival skills to fire prevention and firefighting.

We spoke to Sam Kelly, Head of Training at MSA Dover, to understand the importance of “beyond compliance” training for crew in the maritime industry.

Sam Kelly Maritime Skills Academy Expert — Sam Kelly, Head of Training at MSA Dover

What is “Beyond Compliance” training?

It is mandatory for all vessels to sail with crew that are fully certified in their specific duties, however I am a passionate advocate for “beyond compliance” training – offering further investment in the crew through training.

This involves, but not limited to, training the teams responsible for firefighting on ships. Training is held in a purpose-built centre that mimics the environment on board a vessel. Here we can safely train in hot and smoky environments, teaching the crew company specific requirements when dealing with a real fire.

It is estimated that on average, 90% of companies’ training budgets is allocated to only 10% of the entire crew.

What are the benefits of having a thorough and detailed safety system onboard?

I believe in training for the worst and hoping for the best, having a robust safety management system ensures that all crew know exactly what to do when an emergency happens. There are so many moving parts that need to work in sync to ensure a professional and effective response to deal with these situations effectively and successfully.

According to Lloyd’s Register within the last 5 years, there have been 55 accidents reported that involved grounding or fire on yachts over 24 meters in length.

There has also been an increase in lithium-ion battery fires, caused by lithium gadgets stored in tender garages or dedicated storage areas.

These statistics highlight the importance of fire prevention training for all crew members that goes beyond the mandatory standards set, to ensure they are equipped with the skills to allow them to confidently deal with an emergency situation on board.

Does investing in your crew’s training benefit in the long term?

Investing time and effort in your crew will improve morale, retention and confidence. We have recently developed an Operational Fire Fighting Training (OPFF) course for Virgin Voyages and have successfully delivered multiple sessions around the globe.

This includes at the University of Gibraltar, in the Philippines and at MSA Dover, working with their Senior Management Team to ensure the course replicates the expectations of crew on board. The crew’s response to this investment in their training has been hugely positive, as they feel valued by their employer and more courses have now been scheduled.

What can the crew learn from having “beyond compliance” training?

If the crew have completed our operational firefighting training, they will gain confidence in the equipment, improve their communication skills, and understand the importance of teamwork.

They will also have a much better knowledge of their company’s emergency response procedures.

About Sam Kelly

Sam Kelly is Head of Training at MSA Dover. After graduating with a degree in the Science of Maritime Operations, Sam spent 11 years working as a Navigation Officer in the ferry and cruise industries, visiting ports in the Mediterranean, Baltic, Norway and the Caribbean.

Sam brings a wealth of knowledge gained throughout his career to his role at MSA Dover.

Explore our latest courses at Maritime Skills Academy here.

What Is GWO Sea Survival Training?

Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Sea Survival Training is one element of a globally recognised certification that provides offshore workers in the wind and renewables’ industry with the skills and knowledge to survive in the event of an offshore accident.

The full GWO certification (called GWO Basic Safety Training) includes five elements:

Sea Survival Training
Fire Awareness Training
Manual Handling Training
First Aid Training
Working at Height Training

In this article, we will be covering everything you need to know about Sea Survival Training—what it covers, whether you or your employees need it, and where to get it.

What Is the Global Wind Organisation (GWO)?

The Global Wind Organisation (GWO) is an independent, non-profit organisation that provides a set of standards for the safe operation of wind turbines around the world.

These standards are internationally recognised and followed by leading wind energy companies, making GWO certification essential for anyone wanting to work in the offshore wind industry.

GWO was founded in 2009 in response to a growing need for better safety standards in the wind industry. Its membership includes some of the biggest names in the business, such as Ørsted, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa, and EDF Renewables.

What Does GWO Sea Survival Training Cover?

GWO Sea Survival Training is a one-day course that covers both theoretical topics and practical elements.

Theoretical topics are covered through classroom-based teaching, while the practical elements are completed in a controlled environment (e.g., a pool or marked practice area at sea).

Course topics include:

An introduction to the risks faced by offshore workers
An overview of the equipment used in sea survival (e.g., life jackets, lifeboats, flares, etc.)
An overview of national and international legislation
How to execute various man overboard techniques
How to swim in cold water and avoid hypothermia
How to deal with waves, currents, and tides
How to safely transfer people and equipment to and from offshore structures

Students who complete the course should be able to demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the event of an offshore accident, as well as the skills needed to carry them out effectively.

How Are GWO Sea Survival Courses Offered?

There isn’t a set structure when it comes to the GWO Sea Survival course — each is organised differently depending on the provider.

Typically, courses are 1-3 days long and use a mix of classroom-based theory teaching and practical training to meet their curriculum requirements.

Our GWO Sea Survival Training course (in partnership with Guardian Training) is a 1-day intensive course that covers all the topics listed above.

The course is delivered by instructors with years of experience in both the maritime industry and emergency response, and includes a mix of classroom-based learning and practical training in a controlled environment.

What Are the Prerequisites for GWO Sea Survival Training?

Anyone who wishes to participate in a GWO Sea Survival Training course must be over the age of 18. There are no other formal prerequisites for GWO Sea Survival Training, although it’s recommended that students have a basic level of fitness and swimming ability.

Who Is GWO Sea Survival Training For?

GWO Sea Survival Training is a mandatory requirement for anyone who works offshore in the wind and renewables industry — this includes technicians, engineers, project managers, etc.

When you complete the course, your certification is added to WINDA — a GWO database that allows employers to verify your certification.

Unlike an STCW certification, which is reviewed five years, employers must ensure that an employees GWO Sea Survival qualification is renewed and updated every two years.

However, it’s not just offshore renewables workers who can benefit from a GWO Sea Survival course. The skills and knowledge covered in the course are relevant to anyone who spends time working at sea (e.g., fishermen, sailors, oil rig workers, etc.).

In short, anyone who works or plans to work in an environment where they could be at risk of falling overboard or being exposed to cold water should consider taking a GWO Sea Survival Training course.

In addition, employers in these industries should consider sponsoring employees for the certification to help ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Where Can I Get GWO Sea Survival Training?

If you’re looking for a GWO Sea Survival course provider, the Maritime Skills Academy offers a 1-day intensive course from our Dover headquarters.

This course is run in conjunction with Guardian Training. Guardian Training holds the GWO Accreditation & bookings are made via the following:

TEL: +44 (0) 1795 580 333
WEB: GWO Sea Survival Training Course

We’re committed to making offshore work safer for workers, and are more than happy to answer any question you have about the course — so don’t hesitate to reach out!