Houston Marine Training Services News

With the offshore industry rapidly growing, it can be difficult to find well-trained and competent merchant mariners to meet the increasing demands. It can be equally difficult for mariners to acquire the training and certifications necessary to build a career. “MAPS provides the opportunity for low-income mariners to afford the training they need to pursue the careers they want,” said Timothy Young, Maritime Attorney. The Marine Award Program for Seamen (MAPS) is a merit- and need-based financial aid service started by The Young Firm, a maritime injury law firm in New Orleans.

Steve Brunswick has joined Houston Marine Training Services as general manager. As general manager, Brunswick is responsible for directing product development, sales, marketing, training, delivery and operations for the New Orleans, La., based organization. For the last two years, Brunswick held positions as director of marine transportation and human resources for Daufuskie Island Club & Resort in South Carolina. During a twelve-year career at Midland Enterprises, he functioned as training coordinator, training manager and port captain. He began his marine experience when employed by Harcon Barge where he spent five years as a mate.

Throggs Neck, N.Y. U.S. 300 Steamboat Rd. Kings Point, N.Y. RTM STAR Center-Ft. Dania Beach, Fla. New York, N.Y. New Orleans, La. P.O. Vallejo, Calif. Westland GeoProjects Ltd. EX23 8BR, U.K.

Houston Marine Training Services has partnered with MGI International Inc., of Vancouver, BC, Canada, to provide Computer Based Training (CBT) delivery of the classroom-theoretical portions of STCW-Basic Safety Training. An impetus for this deal is the urgency for mariners to comply with international regulations of the Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), as under current traditional training delivery parameters, it is expected that 60 - 80 percent of companies will be compliant with STCW by February 1, 2002. The availability of this training in a CBT format will increase the training capacity to meet the demands currently facing the maritime industry. The CBT program is approved by the U.S.