Hellenic Navy Minehunter Crews Train At MSI Norfolk
MarineSafety International provided training to eight Greek Naval Officers in connection with Foreign Military Sale (FMS) transfer of two US Navy MHC-1, Osprey Class Minehunters. The eight officers spent three days using MSI Norfolk’s simulator learning how to handle these unique ships. The Osprey Class MHCs are powered by Voith Schneider cycloidal drive units. The cycloidal drive gives these ships exceptional maneuverability, but operations in close quarters requires new vocabulary and new ship handling skills.Over the course of three days the crews practiced docking, undocking, and restricted waters transits in increasing ranges of environmental challenges. By the end of the training the Captains and crews of both ships felt confident that they could master the challenge. Over the next several months the crews will continue training and familiarization on board in the ships’ current homeport of Ingleside Texas. Actual transfer and movement to Greece will take place in June 2007.