Tug crews need considerable training through simulators, time on board and mentoring to improve their competence, experts agree
Tug owners, technology providers and consultants described ways to improve seafarer training at the 26th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards 2022 conference, held in association with Caterpillar, 30 September, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Crew training and simulation technologies were debated in Session 8, on the third day of the conference with an intensive debate between the panel and delegates.
HaiSea Marine senior project manager Captain Jordan Pechie and Seaspan Marine senior director operations Sean Poole explained, through their experience, how owners can develop mariners for North America’s most cutting-edge tug fleets.
To prepare a diverse and inclusive workforce for operations in adverse weather and sea conditions, fostering relationships with local partners and investing in bespoke inhouse simulators is key.
“Mentoring and onboard experience are important,” said Mr Poole. “Only around 10% of training is on simulators. The rest is on board, generating experience time on tugs.” He added this “reduces the risk of incidents.”
When crews use simulators for training, they can work in teams and with pilots to practice manoeuvres. “Three, four or five people can work together,” said Mr Poole.
On the simulator package, there are screens for trainers and other trainees to follow operations during the simulation training.
“The screens show what is happening below and above the water. It allows a deeper dive into what is happening and how others are performing,” said Mr Poole.
Sanmar Shipyards is building three battery-powered harbour tugs and two LNG-fuelled escort tugs for HaiSea’s future operations, manoeuvring gas carriers into the Kitimat LNG terminal in British Columbia, western Canada.
Capt Pechie said terminal construction was around 70% completed and the tug build programme was 30% finished at present.
“We expect the first tug will be out of the shipyard and sailing to Canada May 2023,” he said. “We expect the whole fleet to be ready for the first LNG carrier in December 2023.”
Crews will need to be prepared and fully trained in 2023 ready for the arrival of the tugs and LNG carriers.
“Captains are trained on simulators and will then need at least 77 days on board,” added Capt Pechie. “They will then come off the boats and go back into simulators to polish their skills.”
Burchett Marine owner Captain Ron Burchett said training for crew, masters and pilots should prepare them for operating more sophisticated and specialised tugs and handling larger ships in ports.
He also said the industry should encourage people with experience to train and help the next generation of tugboat captains.
“Bring back people out of retirement temporarily or seasonally to help transfer knowledge and experience,” he said.
The Workboat Association representative Wencke Boerrigter presented what lessons can be learned from tug incidents to improve safety and to prevent future accidents. She highlighted how important the human factor is for preventing accidents and how inadequate training is a contributing factor in incidents.
Force Technology head of the department of simulation, ports and training Jan Michelsen rounded off the session by presenting a future for crew training involving the Metaverse within the tug and salvage industry.
He described how 3D and virtual reality can improve training availability and reduce costs for tug owners.
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