Workbook News

With a quagmire of digitalization and decarbonization options facing shipowners today, cutting through the smoke is increasingly difficult to find and implement the most efficient solutions. Launched today is a new, free-to-use Software Evaluation Toolkit aimed at the shipping industry and designed to enable ship owners and managers to make better informed decisions on digital solutions needed to decarbonize fleets.The toolkit, dubbed SET Maritime, is vendor-neutral, developed by OrbitMI, a US-based software-as-a-service provider.

Witherbys, in conjunction with BIMCO and International Shipcare, released the Ship Lay-up Guide this week.This new publication is a comprehensive guide to best practice when placing a ship into lay-up and is an essential aid for any ship owners/managers considering ship lay-up.Fully illustrated, with numerous real-world examples, this guide explains why a ship is placed into lay-up and the types of lay-up, as well as providing the reader with information on appraisal, planning, procedures at the lay-up site and reactivation.

In 2004 Congress reclassified towing vessels as vessels subject to inspection. Thus began a lengthy process of regulation drafting by the U.S. Coast Guard, with a great deal of input from the towing industry. In 2011, the Notice of Proposed Rule Making was published giving the public its first look at what has become known as Subchapter M. Over 3,000 comments were received by the Coast Guard on the Proposed Rule. After five years of responding to those comments and revamping Subchapter M, on June 20, 2016 the Final Rule was published.

How does a tugboat operator with over 26 vessels used in docking, escort, ocean towing and articulated barge service get control of maintenance issues? In this case, by switching to Klüberplex BEM 41-132 grease to lower operating temperatures between 2 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (3.6 and 18 Celsius), which significantly extends grease and bearing life. The tugboat business’ success depends on the reliability of their assets and the ability to provide superior customer service.

Videotel, a KVH company, has launched a new training program, “Report a Near-Miss, Save a Life”, in association with The Standard Club, a protection and indemnity (P&I) club, which insures ship owners, operators, and charterers for their liabilities to third parties. The training program examines the importance of sharing near-miss reports, so that lessons can be learned and publicized throughout a fleet, to help reduce the chances of similar incidents happening. Although standards have improved…

AllSeas recent successful removal of the Yme platform was the first job completed by the Pioneering Spirit – demonstrating that the world’s first single lift vessel (SLV) was back on track after a spate of recent delays. The next decommissioning job for the vessel will be the monumental task of removing the topsides from the Brent platforms, some of which weigh over 20,000 tonnes. Douglas-Westwood estimates that SLVs could potentially lead to almost $12 billion (bn) in savings on decommissioning costs between 2016 and 2040, though this is contingent upon a wide range of factors. This is based on the latest decommissioning data from Douglas-Westwood…

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that it is offering Videotel’s new safety and training video about the Zika virus free to all mariners worldwide. The goal of the program is to increase awareness  of the vitally important prevention measures that can keep seafarers and their colleagues and families safe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a public health emergency earlier this year. Given the global nature of the maritime industry, it is imperative that seafarers take precautions to prevent further spread of the disease. The prevalence of the Zika virus in such areas as Brazil has heightened concerns with the approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.

Videotel, a KVH company, has developed a new program aimed at teaching crew aboard a vessel how to work together as a cohesive unit regardless of nationality differences. Ships’ crews today invariably include seafarers serving onboard from many different nationalities and while this mix of cultures can bring great benefits, it can also have the potential to create misunderstandings and possible disharmony due to a lack of awareness of differing cultural values. Called Working with Multinational Crews…It’s a Cultural Thing!…

Falling overboard is a life-threatening emergency, not only for the person in question but also for those involved in their rescue. Every step in the rescue process has its own associated hazards and in such a fraught and potentially distressing situation a well-structured rescue plan is essential. Since 1 July 2014, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) has required ships to have ‘plans and procedures for the recovery of persons from the water’ which will minimize the risk to the rescuers as well as to the casualty or casualties.

KVH Industries, Inc. is offering Videotel's new video about Ebola safety free to all mariners worldwide in an effort to increase awareness of the prevention measures that can help keep seafarers safe. KVH has created a website, www.kvh.com/EbolaSafety, for mariners to download the free video and an accompanying workbook. In addition, KVH delivered the video program to its IP-MobileCast customers on vessels across the globe, who will automatically receive the video for immediate viewing onboard.

Videotel has launched a new edition of its Training, Mentoring and Assessment On Board program which supports the IMO requirement for a standardization of training and assessment for all member state countries as part of the revised and updated STCW - the ‘Manila Amendments’. Training, Mentoring and Assessment On Board covers the full range of revised competencies now required for certification as Deck Officers, Engineer Officers and the qualifications required for ratings. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel, explained, “Training is a vital element to progress within the industry.

Fighting a fire at sea is one of the greatest dangers facing seafarers. As a result, Videotel, a provider of maritime e-Learning and part of KVH Industries, Inc., has launched an updated five-part series: Firefighting At Sea, with the support and expertise from marine fire specialists and industry experts. This essential training includes scenes filmed on board the Vectis Osprey and aims to give seafarers basic and refresher training on how fires start, how to prevent them and their respective role in combating a fire on board ship.

Maritime e-Learning provider Videotel, part of KVH Industries, says that it has launched an updated five-part series 'Fire Fighting At Sea', with the support and expertise of marine fire specialists and industry experts. This essential training includes scenes filmed on board the Vectis Osprey and aims to give seafarers basic and refresher training on how fires start, how to prevent them, and their respective role in combatting a fire on board ship. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel, explains: “A fire on board a vessel at sea can be highly unpredictable and extremely dangerous. •             Part 1: Fire Prevention – looks into the theory behind fire and examines how fires start.

Videotel, part of KVH Industries, Inc., has launched a new program, Social Media at Sea, addressing the unique dangers of inappropriate use of social media by shipboard personnel and providing simple solutions to ensure that seafarers understand the dangers - and benefits - of this onboard revolution. Since the use of the Internet has now become commonplace on many vessels, seafarers often have much more freedom to communicate with friends and family using social media tools.

Videotel has launched a new training course, Noise and Vibration: The Forgotten Hazards, to coincide with the new legal requirements to reduce noise on board ships. These regulations come into effect with the adoption of new SOLAS regulations beginning July 1, 2014. These rules set mandatory maximum noise level limits for machinery spaces, control rooms, workshops, accommodation and other spaces on board ships. “Research shows that noise and vibration can affect human behavior and well-being in different ways.

It is easy to forget that the use of Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) has only become commonplace in the last few years and that the selection and deployment of armed guards is still an unknown quantity for many operators and crew. In response to this, Videotel has made a new addition to its armoury of training materials with the creation of a brand new program – Working with Maritime Security Guards – which has been developed in conjunction with the Security Association for the Maritime Industry (SAMI) and BIMCO.

AXSMarine announced the release of an upgrade to its keystone applications within its AXSDry 4.0 product offering. Voyage Calculator 4.0 has been released this week to all subscribers providing them with long list of functionality upgrades and usability improvements. The voyage calculation program accounts for around 50% of their systems usage in terms of number of users and it will remain a key component of the AXSDry product suite. Their previous voyage calculator will remain…

Videotel launched the new addition to its suite of programs on the subjects of alcohol and drug abuse, Drugs and Alcohol – A Manager’s Guide, which is aimed directly at supporting management ashore and on board. This new program makes managers aware of their responsibilities and of the need to ensure that an effective drugs and alcohol policy is in place. Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel said, “The use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol are serious concerns within the maritime industry.

In response to the growing demand in ECDIS Training and in order to contribute to the knowledge improvement on ECDIS use, Transas Marine has published an ECDIS Workbook which can be used together with the Transas ECDIS demo software, both available for free download from the company’s website. According to the STCW 2010 Code, ECDIS training is mandatory for all Deck officers serving on board ships fitted with ECDIS equipment. The main goal of the ECDIS Demo Workbook is to provide the vessel’s crew with knowledge, understanding and proficiency in the use of Navi-Sailor 4000 ECDIS and Chart Assistant Utility. The workbook is designated for nautical officers and other persons in charge of navigational tasks, and consists of theoretical and practice parts.

For the seafarer often spending long periods at sea, meals frequently act as a linchpin to the day's activities. When crews eat a balanced and nutritious diet, they are more contented, more productive and less likely to have accidents. In recognition of this Videotel has partnered with Garrets International Ltd. to launch an important new MLC focused training series, Catering On Board Ship, which aims to help improve the standard of catering on board every class of vessel – from yacht to ocean-going vessel.

Computer-based training (CBT) specialist, Seagull, has unveiled new additions to its portfolio and revisions to a number of existing modules. The new releases are Principle of Assessment, Onboard Assessment, Oil record book – part 11, Galley operations 3 – food handling, Electric propulsion – fundamentals , Marine environmental awareness, Environmetal Challenges and four Learning MS modules. Major revisions have been made to Steering gear (operation), Steering gear (construction and maintenance) and minor amendments to Introduction to computers, MLC 2006 –basic introduction, Galley operations – workplace and equipment safety, Galley operations – hygiene and Drug and alcohol policy and testing.

The operational complexities and changing landscape of ports and terminals continue to present ongoing challenges for port authorities and operators globally. In particular, changing legislation, diversification, security concerns, higher traffic density, larger vessel sizes, as well as movements of hazardous cargoes, reflect on a port’s required level of traffic management, vessel scheduling and navigational planning. This can, in some instances become a very complex task. In a bid to help manage these challenges and improve navigational safety and efficiency…

A new program from Videotel highlights the importance of psychology in effective passenger evacuation, a topic which has been the focus of much attention in the industry since the highly charged events off Isola del Giglio in January 2012. Making the Difference - Passenger Mustering and Crowd Control looks at all aspects of passenger mustering, in particular the flow of passengers on stairways and the care and control of passengers once they are assembled in their designated muster stations.