Posted:
March 18, 2014
Readiness, renewal and STCW were the primary topics at the annual Training Needs Conference hosted by STAR Center March 6 and 7.
The conference is geared to gather input on the STAR Center curriculum from vessel operating companies, Military Sealift Command and government agencies in order to fine tune existing courses and develop new courses as needed to meet U.S. Coast Guard, MSC and Maritime Administration requirements, as well as the objectives of AMO-contracted companies.
STAR Center is the primary training provider for AMO officers and the conference helps ensure all of the training the AMO membership will require remains readily available, and positions the AMO membership at the forefront of a competitive industry.
The keynote speakers at the 2014 STAR Center Training Needs Conference were Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon, commander of Military Sealift Command, and Acting Maritime Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen.
While both praised STAR Center for its premier training and ability to produce timely courses for mariners on a moment's notice, the main message delivered by Shannon and Jaenichen was to be ready for more changes.
When speaking of the challenges facing the maritime industry, Jaenichen discussed the need for the U.S. fleet to continue evolving and branching out into growing markets, like LNG transportation.
Shannon pledged that MSC training would be one of his major priorities in the upcoming year. He said institutions like STAR Center would be key in his new strategy of exploring non-traditional roles for mariners, including initiatives such as hybrid manning of U.S. Navy and MSC ships and employing merchant and civilian mariners on missions normally reserved for military sailors.
He pointed to MSC's joint high-speed vessels and the advent of mobile landing platforms as examples of the U.S merchant marine's expanded role in national defense.
"MSC is growing and it's in a good place," Shannon said. "These are not grand slams or homeruns, but they are base hits that bring much needed jobs for civilian and merchant mariners."
During the two-day conference, leaders from AMO-contracted companies, union officials and government stakeholders discussed what new training courses might be needed at STAR Center for the upcoming year.
Adding informative insight to the gathering was U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Kyle McAvoy, who addressed the group on new STCW guidelines for mariner licensing and renewal. Delays in document approval from Washington, D.C. have shrunk the timetable for mariners to prepare for new requirements, which has caused a crunch on training.
STAR Center has already adapted existing classes and developed new courses for AMO members to meet the STCW 2010 requirements, but like other maritime training institutions, the school is still waiting for the Coast Guard to release 16 NVICs that will dictate additional training and assessment requirements for compliance with the 2010 amendments to STCW. These requirements will serve as the basis for much of the training provided by STAR Center over the next few years, said STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo.
The conference also allowed STAR Center officials to address some key issues involving grandfathering under STCW 2010, MSC training, implementation of the new TECH Program and the accelerated Tankerman PIC program.
MSC and USCG officials were receptive to the ideas discussed, Shullo said.
"Based on feedback from attendees, this conference seems to have hit the mark on both subject matter and speakers' focus on issues that were important to conference participants," he said. "We have taken that input and are working on schedules for the next two years to maximize the throughput and STCW qualification of our participants to meet contracted company needs."
Annual STAR Center conference helps position AMO membership at the forefront of a competitive industry
Readiness, renewal and STCW were the primary topics at the annual Training Needs Conference hosted by STAR Center March 6 and 7.
The conference is geared to gather input on the STAR Center curriculum from vessel operating companies, Military Sealift Command and government agencies in order to fine tune existing courses and develop new courses as needed to meet U.S. Coast Guard, MSC and Maritime Administration requirements, as well as the objectives of AMO-contracted companies.
STAR Center is the primary training provider for AMO officers and the conference helps ensure all of the training the AMO membership will require remains readily available, and positions the AMO membership at the forefront of a competitive industry.
The keynote speakers at the 2014 STAR Center Training Needs Conference were Rear Adm. Thomas Shannon, commander of Military Sealift Command, and Acting Maritime Administrator Paul "Chip" Jaenichen.
While both praised STAR Center for its premier training and ability to produce timely courses for mariners on a moment's notice, the main message delivered by Shannon and Jaenichen was to be ready for more changes.
When speaking of the challenges facing the maritime industry, Jaenichen discussed the need for the U.S. fleet to continue evolving and branching out into growing markets, like LNG transportation.
Shannon pledged that MSC training would be one of his major priorities in the upcoming year. He said institutions like STAR Center would be key in his new strategy of exploring non-traditional roles for mariners, including initiatives such as hybrid manning of U.S. Navy and MSC ships and employing merchant and civilian mariners on missions normally reserved for military sailors.
He pointed to MSC's joint high-speed vessels and the advent of mobile landing platforms as examples of the U.S merchant marine's expanded role in national defense.
"MSC is growing and it's in a good place," Shannon said. "These are not grand slams or homeruns, but they are base hits that bring much needed jobs for civilian and merchant mariners."
During the two-day conference, leaders from AMO-contracted companies, union officials and government stakeholders discussed what new training courses might be needed at STAR Center for the upcoming year.
Adding informative insight to the gathering was U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Kyle McAvoy, who addressed the group on new STCW guidelines for mariner licensing and renewal. Delays in document approval from Washington, D.C. have shrunk the timetable for mariners to prepare for new requirements, which has caused a crunch on training.
STAR Center has already adapted existing classes and developed new courses for AMO members to meet the STCW 2010 requirements, but like other maritime training institutions, the school is still waiting for the Coast Guard to release 16 NVICs that will dictate additional training and assessment requirements for compliance with the 2010 amendments to STCW. These requirements will serve as the basis for much of the training provided by STAR Center over the next few years, said STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo.
The conference also allowed STAR Center officials to address some key issues involving grandfathering under STCW 2010, MSC training, implementation of the new TECH Program and the accelerated Tankerman PIC program.
MSC and USCG officials were receptive to the ideas discussed, Shullo said.
"Based on feedback from attendees, this conference seems to have hit the mark on both subject matter and speakers' focus on issues that were important to conference participants," he said. "We have taken that input and are working on schedules for the next two years to maximize the throughput and STCW qualification of our participants to meet contracted company needs."