Onboard video training helps crews plan for energy-efficient voyages

Designed to inform and motivate all seafarers to increase energy efficiency in their operations, the video-based training course is now available in VHS/DVD and Interactive CBT formats.

Videotel believes that as shipping enters an era of rising costs and the shipping industry heeds international calls to reduce carbon emissions, its new training package equips seafarers with the knowledge and information they need to make energy savings. The package is designed to address the requirements of the IMO’s ship’s energy efficiency plan (SEEMP). Shore offices will develop energy efficiency management plans for each ship which will form the heart of the vessel’s activities. An officer, usually an engineer or environmental officer, will co‐ordinate efforts on board to monitor and record the ship’s energy use, communicate information on energy with the shore office, encourage energy awareness on board and make suggestions for energy savings. All these activities are covered in the Videotel training package which is aimed at senior deck officers, senior engineers and environmental officers.

Stephen Bond, Videotel director, said: “In today’s world the wasteful use of fuel is no longer acceptable. As fuel costs rise and more legal instruments to regulate emissions are passed, energy efficiency is now more important to the shipping industry than it has ever been. We at Videotel are pleased to be able to help in increasing awareness of energy efficiency measures. We would like to extend special thanks to A P Moller‐Maersk A/S (Maersk Tankers), MOL Tankship Management (Europe) Ltd and the IMO for assisting us with making this programme.”

Meanwhile, one of the above operators has signed an agreement with Videotel to upgrade its existing video and DVD library to what the company calls its “fully loaded” Videotel on demand (VOD) training systems.

The agreement means that Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) crew members will have 24-hour access to a wide range of relevant training DVDs, interactive CBT and/or training courses to be used for individual or group training at a time which suits them. The VOD system includes more than 300 titles that address STCW, and, for tanker fleets such as MOL, is tailored to include titles that support all 12 elements of the TMSA framework.

Bond said: “We are honoured that MOL has chosen us to meet their training needs with Videotel on Demand and we are pleased to be working with a company that places such importance on crew training.”