Videotel adds new STCW maritime training courses

SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 — London headquartered maritime training specialist Videotel Marine International has added three new courses to its STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) portfolio.

The company notes that STCW aims to achieve for the shipping industry what increased technology has so far failed to deliver: a reduction in the 80 percent of accidents on board ship attributable to human error. Videotel says that proper training and evaluation can make a real difference to these statistic and that its newly launched STCW training programs provide the tools to assist the shipowner and manager make that difference.

“We have all seen the level of technology on board ship take off over the past few years”, says Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel Marine International. “Yet as the statistics show, the human factor has not changed appreciably, and indeed we have actually seen that the failure of individuals to come to grips with new technology can contribute to the accident rate. Maritime safety must focus on the role of the individual in taking responsibility for vessel safety and good training can help build the skills that prevent the occurrence of unwelcome incidents.”

The three new Videotel courses are:

• Marine Environmental Awareness – focuses on the ‘human element’ in preventing marine pollution, and educates, stimulates and empowers officers on board vessels and on-shore personnel to contribute to environmentally sound shipping.
• Maritime Security Awareness – highlights the key issue that security is not a matter of luck, demonstrating that risks to life, ships, colleagues and passengers can be significantly reduced through knowledge, awareness and understanding, and most importantly knowing how to deal with all the latest security threats.
• Entry into Enclosed Spaces – addresses the vital issue of health and safety in enclosed spaces, as many deaths are still attributable to this easily preventable hazard. Based on Videotel’s award-winning series of programs, it provides all the latest rules and regulations that need to be adhered to in order to protect and save lives.

Marine Environmental Awareness and Marine Security Awareness are delivered using interactive Computer Based Training (CBT). Students follow easy on-screen instructions to progress through the course. The programme contains text with optional English language voiceover, still photographs, video clips and animations. Entry into Enclosed Spaces is available in VHS/DVD with support booklet, interactive CD-ROM and through Videotel On Demand (VOD).