Pettitt Joins MTN
MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) announced that Kerry Pettitt has joined MTN as executive sales manager for its superyacht business in Europe and Oceania regions. Prior to joining MTN, Pettitt was the general manager for the superyacht division for Ship Equip. Pettitt has also held executive positions at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, the Marine Contracting Association in Geneva and Stratos. www.mtnsat.com
Kelvin Hughes to Supply MARCAS with SVDRs
Kelvin Hughes Ltd., part of Smiths Marine Systems, has reached an agreement with MARCAS, The Marine Contracting Association, for the supply of Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR) equipment to its membership. The total membership operates in excess of 700 ships. S-VDR equipment is now a mandatory carriage item of equipment for existing cargo vessels of 3,000 Gross Registered Tons and over. Systems must be installed on board ship between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2010.
Training & Education: The Dilemma: Competent Crews vs. Costs
The V.Ships Managing Director of USA Shipmanagement operations — Mike Robinson, says that owners are anxious to secure competent crews to serve on their vessels in the coming years, but cost remains an overriding theme in today's market. V.Ships is aware that the global shortage of seafarers is causing concern. "The increasingly strict regulatory environment, including the impact of the International Safety Management Code phase 2 provision for all vessels, together with STCW95, means that experienced and fully trained officers and ratings are more crucial than ever to the process of compliance if problems are to be avoided," says Robinson.
International Coatings Awarded Contract
International Coatings Ltd. and the Marine Contracting Association, Ltd, Bermuda (Marcas) have signed a contract for the exclusive supply of drydock coatings for over 60 vessels. Member companies, Teekay Shipping Corporation, Vancouver, World Wide Shipping Managers Pte Ltd., Singapore, and Marenostrum Ltda. Lisbon, have allocated all of their 2003 drydockings to International Coatings Ltd. V-Ships Group have also placed a significant proportion of their 2003 dry dockings business with International. The contract represents vessels typically including VLCC’s, Bulk Carriers, Container Vessels, Oil Tankers and Product Carriers. Included in the contract is a comprehensive service package professionally supported by over 400 highly trained International Coatings technical service staff…
