Imtech Opens Middle East Training Center

Imtech Marine has expanded its training facilities in the Middle East with a new training center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The training center, hosted by Imtech Marine’s company Radio Holland Middle East, has started with a type specific ECDIS Training Course for Navigators and Masters to meet the high demands for ECDIS familiarization.

The Imtech Marine Training Center offers this type specific training course as a turnkey solution for safe maritime purposes to the global shipping industry, upgrading navigators and masters with specific knowledge of the functionality and effective use of ECDIS. The training center is equipped with Furuno FEA and FMD stations, supported with simulated surroundings and open sea areas. The program of the training course has been designed according to the IMO regulations and is kept up-to-date with the current flag state requirements.

This audited and certified training course is given by experienced and qualified trainers and will take two days in total. The program consists of theoretical and practical training on the first day and a compulsory test and evaluation on the second day.  Part of the program is also to discuss practical examples and specific questions from participants. After successful completion of the type specific ECDIS training course, a certificate will be issued. The training course is offered including a certificate and study material. The course is appreciated by the attending participants, who describe the training in their evaluation as very useful and at a high professional level.

IMO regulation
Dynamic technical changes have taken place in the Maritime Industry. The computer-based navigation, ECDIS, has taken over the traditional way of navigation by paper charts. According to the IMO regulation all commercial vessels have to be equipped with an ECDIS system by the year 2018. This means that with the implementation of ECDIS, familiarization and training will be mandatory. Practical knowledge of standard procedures and familiarization with the system will be required in order to ensure that all Navigators and Masters are fully competent in using ECDIS.