Frc International News

More than 80 maritime professionals attended two one-day events focused on the sub IMO / sub 80-ft. sector in Southampton, U.K. this Spring. The Man Overboard Prevention & Recovery Workshop brought together an international group of experts armed with the latest knowledge to identify problems that affect the maritime sector worldwide. Workshop lead John Haynes opened the day saying said, “Expectations, requirements and capabilities are changing for many maritime organizations. High profile roles are evolving close to shore and offshore in U.K., European and international waters.

FRC International launched the innovative ‘DYNAV’ dynamic navigation system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden in October. The DYNAV launch event enabled attendees from Scandinavia and Europe to come together with the objective of improving seafarer safety, operational performance and interoperability on fast craft. Professional sectors organizations included Search & Rescue, Navy, Special Forces, Coast Guard, law enforcement, maritime pilots, maritime legislators, training organisation and boat builders.

FRC International is launching the innovative DYNAV (DYnamic NAVigation) system for high speed craft at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, October 29-30. All individuals and organizations operating planing craft from SAR, navy, special forces, coast guard, law enforcement, renewables and the commercial sector are invited to attend the DYNAV launch event. This will be an excellent opportunity for international RIB & HSC professionals, boat builders, equipment manufacturers and industry to come together with the objective of improving sefarer safety on fast craft.

For some time now, military agencies and specialist organizations around the globe have driven the evolution of high speed watercraft. As a trickle-down effect fast response craft now serve roles once typically serviced by displacement designs including pilot boats, dive boats, crew boats and offshore support. During high speed operations the repeated shocks (RS) and whole body vibrations (WBV) of this harsh environment are transmitted to the passengers, operators and crew aboard, creating avenues of owner liability if not addressed.

The American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) will host the High Performance Craft (HiPer Craft) Forum on June 19-20, 2013 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. •    Dr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Mr. •    Mr. Jonathan Hill, AMRINA, AFNI, Training Director at FRC International Ltd and Trident Marine Ltd. •    CAPT D.B. •    Mr. Dave Menna, Donald L. Blount & Associates, Inc. •    Mr. •    Dr. •    Mr. •    Dr. Trevor Dobbins, STResearch Ltd. •    Mr. Tyler Brand, President, StrongWake Ltd. •    Mr. •    Ms. •    Mr. Walt Pullar, Chief Executive Officer, RMGS, Inc.

FRC International is running the first WBV Manager course in the U.S. on 18th June at HiPer Craft 2013 in Norfolk Va. Due to the continuing restrictions on Defense Department budgets, FRC International is offering reduced-rate registration for the WBV Manager course at HiPer Craft. The reduced-rate registration is $200 for all active duty military and civilian government employees (non-contractor civilian and military). The standard course fee is $400 per person. Attendees also receive free admission to all three days of HiPer Craft.

FRC International is running the first WBV Manager course in the U.S. on June 18 at HiPer Craft 2013 in Norfolk, Va. The course fee per person is $400 and places can now be booked. WBV Manager attendees also receive free admission to all three days of HiPer Craft 2013. The WBV (Whole Body Vibration) awareness course is part of the professional program organized by ASNE (American Society of Naval Engineers) at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Va. WBV Manager…

FRC International will host CSI 2013 - Crew Systems Integration conference from July 2-4, 2013 at RNLI Lifeboat College, Poole, U.K. The international conference includes over 20 presentations focusing on nine integrated topics for the RIB and high speed craft sector. Dr. Trevor Dobbins, Technical Director of FRC International, said, “The CSI concept brings together integrated topics which can improve RIB & HSC operations. Crew Systems Integration (CSI) is now a recognized requirement for many maritime organizations and CSI 2013 will cover a wide range of solutions for the professional sector.

Human Systems Integration (HSI) is a recognized requirement for many organizations. This is rapidly becoming more important as the professional RHIB and high speed craft sector are required to perform increasingly complex tasks. The objective is for marine units to deal with new scenarios, make fast decisions and implement them using high speed craft and specialist equipment to achieve successful outcomes. Crew-Systems Integration (CSI) brings together all these elements for the fast boat sector.

FRC International will run WBV Manager at HiPer Craft 2013. The WBV (Whole Body Vibration) awareness course is part of the professional program organized by ASNE (American Society of Naval Engineers) in Norfolk Virginia from June 18 to 20. WBV Manager is a one day workshop that covers the latest international technology and methods for improving high speed craft operations. It is recognized for six PDH (Professional Development Hours) by ASNE and course attendees will receive The Nautical Institute certificate. All organizations operating RHIBs and planing craft are invited to attend.

FRC International is running the first program of ‘Back To Back’ Whole Boat Vibration (WBV) courses in Canada this April. The lead for these courses is Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Navy. These courses are part of improving sea safety and are open to all interested parties. The object is to include all organizations operating RHIBs and planing craft. Both venues also enable boat builders, equipment manufacturers and industry to attend. The first two days of ‘Back To Back’ courses are in Ottawa at the Convention Center.

FRC International is running the first programme of ‘Back To Back’ Whole Boat Vibration (WBV) courses in Canada this April. The lead for these courses is the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Navy, being part of a move to improve sea safety. Attendance is open to all organisations operating RHIBs & planing craft, as well as builders, equipment manufacturers and others in this industry. Whole Boat Vibration on RHIBs and planing craft is a global problem that affects the health of crew and passengers.

FRC International to host the upcoming Crew Systems Integration (CSI) conference in Poole, UK. The international conference includes over 20 presentations focussing on 9 integrated topics for the RIB and high speed craft sector. Keynote speakers include former Royal Navy Rear Admiral Chris Parry, now a noted strategic consultant and geopolitical forecaster. Human Systems Integration (HSI) is a recognised requirement for many maritime organisations. CSI 2013 will cover a wide range of solutions now available for the professional operator.

There are many myths surrounding WBV measurement and analysis on fast craft. FRC International has developed a one day course that is easy to understand and delivers the latest information to support vibration exposure assessment, EC compliance and exemption applications. The FRC Motion Analysis Course has been developed in association with Dr Tom Gunston and Dr Trevor Dobbins, two of the worlds leading experts on Repeated Shock (RS) and Whole Body Vibration (WBV) exposure on RIBs and fast craft.

The professional maritime sector recognizes the need to reduce the effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) but this is not a straightforward process for those operating planing craft. These vessels can expose crews and passengers to high levels of repeated shock and vibration which has been shown to increase the risk of injury. In flat sea conditions there is vibration from the engine, gearbox and shaft but the crew and passengers are not exposed to harmful vibration. All fast boat operators know that waves change everything.

FRC International has developed a unique training course and qualification for the professional maritime sector. The Test Coxswain course is designed for both experienced crew members and technical staff who support both the specification and Test & Evaluation (T&E) of high performance craft. As the complexity and cost of high speed craft increases it has become more important that these craft are fit-for-purpose. Assessment needs to be objective, valid and reliable. Gone are the days of an individual coxswain saying ‘that's OK’ to approve an acquisition worth millions of Dollars.