Posted:
September 12, 2008
American Maritime Officers Sept. 5 signed a memorandum of understanding with BGT Limited establishing an exclusive observation program for AMO members aboard liquefied natural gas carriers owned and operated by the company.
The exclusive agreement creates observation billets for AMO members onboard two BGT Aquarius-class LNG vessels and allows for up to four observers at a time on each ship, two deck and two engine.
"AMO officers now have the ability to obtain all of the necessary training and endorsements to sail in the international LNG fleet without prior experience," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "The program we've established with this agreement places AMO in a unique position to meet the growing demand for qualified officers in LNG shipping trades and creates new options and opportunities for our membership."
Observation trips will have a minimum duration of 45 days, allowing AMO members to complete the necessary sea time and observations of loadings and discharges to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement. AMO members will earn a daily stipend while sailing as observers aboard the BGT LNG carriers, vessels previously manned by AMO under contract with PRONAV Ship Management.
“BGT welcomes the presence of AMO back onboard our ships, as we were always impressed with the professionalism and dedication of your members to guide our fleet safely through many years of operations,” said BGT President Warren Bluestein. “As both of our organizations have recognized, there is a shortage of qualified LNG officers in the world, and now with the establishment of this joint observation program, BGT is happy to assist AMO and the LNG industry at large at reducing this shortage by allowing your members access to our vessels to obtain their required international certification.”
The observation program completes the LNG qualification circuit established by AMO and the AMO Safety & Education Plan's Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center, which offers AMO members LNG person-in-charge training certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, as well as liquefied gas simulation training on MPRI simulators.
AMO establishes exclusive LNG observation program with BGT
American Maritime Officers Sept. 5 signed a memorandum of understanding with BGT Limited establishing an exclusive observation program for AMO members aboard liquefied natural gas carriers owned and operated by the company.
The exclusive agreement creates observation billets for AMO members onboard two BGT Aquarius-class LNG vessels and allows for up to four observers at a time on each ship, two deck and two engine.
"AMO officers now have the ability to obtain all of the necessary training and endorsements to sail in the international LNG fleet without prior experience," said AMO National President Tom Bethel. "The program we've established with this agreement places AMO in a unique position to meet the growing demand for qualified officers in LNG shipping trades and creates new options and opportunities for our membership."
Observation trips will have a minimum duration of 45 days, allowing AMO members to complete the necessary sea time and observations of loadings and discharges to earn the STCW liquefied gas endorsement. AMO members will earn a daily stipend while sailing as observers aboard the BGT LNG carriers, vessels previously manned by AMO under contract with PRONAV Ship Management.
“BGT welcomes the presence of AMO back onboard our ships, as we were always impressed with the professionalism and dedication of your members to guide our fleet safely through many years of operations,” said BGT President Warren Bluestein. “As both of our organizations have recognized, there is a shortage of qualified LNG officers in the world, and now with the establishment of this joint observation program, BGT is happy to assist AMO and the LNG industry at large at reducing this shortage by allowing your members access to our vessels to obtain their required international certification.”
The observation program completes the LNG qualification circuit established by AMO and the AMO Safety & Education Plan's Simulation, Training, Assessment & Research Center, which offers AMO members LNG person-in-charge training certified to the standards of the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators, as well as liquefied gas simulation training on MPRI simulators.