MarineSafety International Rotterdam b.v. (MSR) recently successfully completed the first of a series of four training courses for Point Fortin sponsored by Atlantic LNG Trinidad and Tobago. This Interactive Pilot-Tug-Master training for the Trinidad Pilots & Berthing Master Association, the tug masters of Plipwijs, and various masters of LNG carriers calling at Point Fortin, lasted five days. The major portion of the course was related to all aspects of safely piloting the LNG carriers Norman Lady, Matthew and Methane Arctic, loaded, as well as ballasted, in and out of Trinidad's LNG port under difficult circumstances.
Special attention was given to tug assistance when operating an Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug. The exercises were conducted on three integrated simulators, two acting as
ASD tugs and one as an LNG Carrier. To mimic reality as closely as possible, MSR purchased the ASD controls from Niigata Engineering. The lay-out of the equipment (Human Machine Interface) was manufactured "in house" by the Technical Support Staff of MSR.
Tug Master Peter Jones of Plipwijs stated: "I gained a lot of hands-on experience during this course and my tug reacted very close to reality". MSR was assisted by an Instructor/Tug Master of Wijsmuller, Peter Tromp. Jones added: "Tromp's help was great to us".
Captain Per H. Zaal, Master of the NORMAN LADY, managed by Hough Fleet Services, reacted that he gained in-depth understanding and awareness of the problems a Pilot is facing under worst case scenarios. "This course gave me a lot of insight which I will share with my colleagues", he said. Captain J. Angel Cañas of Osprey Maritime London added the he found this course a fantastic opportunity to observe and be inter-linked with competent people with open minds to act under emergency situations. He continued: "This course was well prepared and very close to what might happen in real life".