Author: MSAteam

The MSA also confirms the installation of a second, 270-degree bridge simulator.

The Maritime Skills Academy is proud to announce a new 3-year training partnership with Red Funnel and welcomes them as the first users of their second full-mission 270-degree bridge simulator.

This second simulator features Wartsila/Transaa NTPRO software and is capable of recreating any scenario using an extensive library of ship models and port areas. The team will continue to recreate realistic “live” situations and challenges, in a safe and controlled environment.

The expansion of the MSA’s training facilities will accommodate training courses including Ship Handling, Bridge Resource Management and Bridge Watch Keeping, as well as assessments, port research, and accident investigation. This substantial investment now doubles the MSA’s training capacity.

The MSA are also thrilled to announce the new partnership with Red Funnel, one of the UK’s leading ferry operators, to enhance their team’s performance and safety. Red Funnel will be joining the portfolio of clients including Carnival UK, Windstar Cruises, P&O Ferries and Virgin Voyages who currently train in the state-of-the-art facilities in Portsmouth.

Leanna Lakes, Operations Director at Red Funnel said “The bridge resource management (BRM) courses are focused on standardising our procedures and ensuring our deck officers and deck crew continue to develop their expertise. It’s a world-leading facility and the team at MSA have worked with us to create a bespoke BRM course that reflects our procedures and area of operation. Our team will benefit greatly from this new simulator and the variety of exercises available, which are vital to keep our crew and passengers safe on their journeys with Red Funnel.”

Director of Training and Simulation at the MSA, Captain Josip Kulas said “At MSA Portsmouth, we are dedicated to improving the safety and effectiveness of maritime operations through innovative training methods. Red Funnel’s team of professionals are highly skilled and experienced, but as with any complex and high-risk industry, continuous improvement is vital.  We will assist their team to develop and practice their situation awareness, communication, decision-making and teamwork skills.”

Josip continues “Red Funnel BRM training scenarios will combine high-speed craft operations and car ferries as a part of the same exercise. The scenarios are placed in Red Funnel’s ships usual routes, replicating their day-to-day operations, but of course with added challenges. We are honoured to be part of this cooperation and look forward to the positive impact this collaboration will have on the maritime industry as a whole.”

Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service. 

In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets, and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.

The Company is a founder member of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, the Island’s not for profit destination management organisation and Red Funnel sponsors or supports most of the Island’s premier events including the IW Festival, Cowes Week, Wight Proms, and Walk the Wight as well as a range of community and niche interest events. Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year, 2023 is Aspire.

For more information, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk.

This week, over 150 KS2 pupils, aged 10 and 11 years old, from local Dover schools visited the Maritime Skills Academy in Whitfield, as part of Maritime UK Week.

• Pupils watched a selection of Water Safety demonstrations
• Teachers from the schools took part in pool-based sessions
• Children discussed Maritime career options

Yesterday (Wednesday 12^th October) 100 children from Aycliffe, River and Temple Ewell Primary schools visited the MSA facilities (part of the Viking Maritime Group) to watch demonstrations by the on-site Trainers, of elements from the Personal Survival Training course.

On Friday 14^th October, the second and final Open Day, the facilities will also host pupils from Lydden, Guston and Barton Primary schools.

As part of Maritime UK week, the business reached out to local schools to invite them to the Open Days to raise awareness of water safety and maritime careers. The awareness week is an important event in the maritime calendar and one that was essential that the business played a part in, to raise awareness of water safety, specifically being a coastal town, and to talk about young people about careers at sea.

Matthew Jaenicke, Group MD of the Viking Maritime Group said “Maritime UK week really highlights the importance of the Industry. It is responsible for facilitating 95% of the UK’s global trade, is an important part of everyone’s lives and one at Viking that we’re proud to have been part of for over 30 years.

The training demonstrations that the children watched, and that their teachers also took part in, is a mandatory course for all seafarers to undertake before they go to sea – so it really does provide a solid basis for water survival techniques.

“We’re also fortunate at Viking that we have a knowledgeable team of staff, some that have experience at sea in different positions, from Cadets to Captains, who also spoke with the pupils about why the training was so important and what exciting opportunities careers at sea can offer.

“It was also wonderful to be able to open our training pool to the schools for these days and to witness the excitement and engagement from the pupils – the centre really came to life. I’m sure the children took away some key learnings from the session and who knows, some may embark on a career at sea!”

Mrs Angela Matthews, Head Teacher of Temple Ewell CofE Primary School said “The opportunity to visit the MSA was a wonderful chance for our Year 5 and 6 pupils to visit a local business and learn some vital, life-long skills that could essentially help save lives. It supports our strong sports curriculum, and this visit has enriched that learning. We are very aware of where the children live, and these life-saving skills in open water are vital.

“A lot of our children have relatives that also work in the maritime industry, for local ferry and cruise companies, and encouraging them to also think about their career options is wonderfully aspirational. Our links with our local community as a small village school is also an important aspect of our curriculum offer and one that we will continue to focus on and maintain.”

The training course that the pupils watched included:

• The importance of a life jacket
• Life raft entry & casualty rescue
• How to get casualty safely into a raft
• Righting a raft
• Lifebuoy and rescue line demonstrations
• Ship alarm signals
• And a final exercise scenario accompanied by Thunder, Lightning, and rain.

For more information on Maritime UK week please see www.maritimeuk.org/week, or watch the full video on our YouTube Channel.

Marella Cruises Engine Cadets complete 5-day Engine Resource Management 1 (ERM1) Course

Congratulations to Michael Stephens (Phase 3, SPD Engine Cadet, CGC, Marella Cruises) and Connor Stamp (Phase 1, Grad Engine Cadet, STC, Marella Cruises), both Marella Cruises Engine Cadets that have recently completed their 5-day Engine Resource Management 1 course (ERM1) at our MSA centre in Portsmouth.

This course promotes best practice in resource management by using all available human, informational and equipment resources toward the goal of safe and efficient operations, and to enhance and encourage a systematic approach to the management of engine room systems and operations through practice.

This course is usually only offered to qualified Engine Officers, so it was a real treat for the cadets to gain this qualification so early on in their maritime careers. 

A big thank you to Marella Cruises and COLUMBIA Cruise Services for coordinating this fantastic opportunity.

If you are interested in any of our simulation courses, please visit our simulation course page here.