GAC, provider of shipping, logistics and marine services, announced the launch of GAC Training & Service Solutions Limited (GTSS), a new initiative that will provide training solutions for the LNG and tanker markets, as well as other commodity and maritime sectors. A joint venture between GAC and the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), the partnership will provide expert delivery of a portfolio of training courses for both seafarers and shore-based shipping personnel.
Courses will be available at the $100m training facility at NMCI in Cork, Ireland, the client’s location and through the latest e-learning provision, or any combination thereof. Course content has been developed and will be delivered by respected names in maritime training, including Howard Candelet, the former Vice President of British Gas LNG Services and Nick de Spon, a former master mariner with over 40 years high level experience of the oil and gas sectors.
The training will empower and equip employees to provide safe and secure terminal and jetty operations, reducing the physical, environmental and financial risk synonymous with modern shipping and onshore services. GTSS courses offer a broad appeal with course modules ranging from safety and security to laytime and demurrage for terminal jetty operators. For those engaged in shipping and commodity operations, GTSS will provide course modules that include INCO terms, Bills of Lading, charter party and contract demurrage.
The courses are designed to provide “hands-on” training to ship owners, operators, managers, charterers and trading companies, oil, gas and chemical companies (on shore and off shore), terminal owners and operators, industry bodies, trade finance banks, insurance companies and P&I Clubs, cargo inspection companies and ship brokers.
R2S Digital Imagery
A key feature of the GTSS courses is the use of virtual experiences created through the use of Return to Scene (R2S) digital imagery captured inside LNG shore tanks, ships’ tanks, the cargo manifold, CCR and other areas. Using highly specialised cameras never before used for training purposes, R2S technology provides 360 high-resolution images that are then interlinked to create a virtual walk through environment for GTSS trainees - providing a previously unseen system for viewing technical or remote physical assets. R2S allows operations procedures, risk assessments, lessons learned and even assessment criteria to be linked and accessed onboard a vessel, platform or refinery.
Overview of facilities
A $100m, three year old training facility, the NMCI is run jointly between Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval Service. It is equipped with:
• 17 bridge simulator suite including 360 degree vision
• Survival pool fitted with wave, wind turbine, drenching, visual and sound effects
• Helicopter underwater escape training
• Marine jetty fitted with freefall and davit lifeboats with pontoon and slipway access to Cork harbor
• Damage control unit specialising in flooding simulation
• Fire fighting unit
• Communications laboratories
• Electrical, mechanical and welding workshops
• Seamanship workshop
• Conference facilities