Cons.A.R. - Italian Shipowner's Research Consortium

P.S.C. COURSE: "SHIP MANAGEMENT AND POLLUTION PREVENTION IN THE PARIS M.O.U. CONTEST AND IN THE PORT STATE CONTROL (P.S.C.) INSPECTIONS"
Addressed to Officers and to managers/responsibles of shipping companies. On November 2001 the second and third edition of the PSC course were held. The courses were promoted by Cons.a.r. and Confitarma in cooperation with the General Command of Coast Gu
ard and RINA. Such a course was designed, organised and coordinated by Cons. A. R.

The subjects of the course were propaedeutic subjects such as rules and international conventions (focusing particularly on ISM) and have amply and exhaustively developed all the basic theme related to the Paris Memorandum and to the P.S.C. (Port State Control).

EURO-MTEC (EUROPEAN MARINE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIUM)
Consar was participating as partner in a research project called "EUROMTEC" based on the improvement and the enlargement of a programme already existing called MTEC (www.mtec.ac.uk). Such a project has been developed in cooperation with six of the major universities which deal with training ( University of Newcastle, Southampton, Glasgow ,Strathclyde, watt Heriot, University London College). In this project Consar has given its contribution in order to extend the use of the modern training tools and devices also to the technical staff of the shipping companies and to the onboard officers.

REFRESHER COURSE ON TECHNIQUES AND ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR THE SHIP MANAGEMENT AND SMS
The initiative was supported by the Province of Genoa -job politics and professional training section -.The guide matter was " UPDATE ON TECHNIQUES AND ADVANCED INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR SHIP MANAGEMENT AND SMS" specifically designed for its associated company: the Carbofin SpA. The aim of the course was to update and to enhance competences to the crew for the use of advanced management and ship-conduction instrument in an effective way

Following the huge success of EGMDSS (www.egmdss.com), a new e-learning and e-assessment tool for people involved in sailing across Europe has been created and it goes one better than its predecessor.

EGMDSS VET allows its users the opportunity to now study the EGMDSS Long Range Certificate (LRC) course alongside the current Short Range Certification (SRC) course.

The LRC course will be available initially in ten different languages and will allow users to refresh their knowledge, learn how to operate equipment and of course prepare them for the LRC examination. The LRC course will benefit radio operators on leisure or commercial vessels not under the regulation of the SOLAS convention that are fitted with long range communications (MF/HF radio) or satellite equipment, as these operators must be qualified to a minimum standard.

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) has been fully implemented worldwide since February 1999 and all seafarers must obtain the appropriate type of GMDSS certificate to sail the seas. GMDSS knowledge was limited both on-shore and at sea and keeping these skills up-to-date is crucial for survival at sea particularly when involved in an accident.

A European project by the name of 'EGMDSS' was created to upgrade the original VHF GMDSS Course to an SRC Course with translation initially in nine different languages with the project being successfully approved and funded by the EU's Leonardo da Vinci Community Vocational Training Action Programme. At present, the SRC course can be viewed in thirteen languages.

The EGMDSS project had the aim of developing an SRC course using e-learning technology; with the purpose that access to the course should include real-life animations and simulators of GMDSS communication devices and operations to convey to the learner how to use such equipment. Most importantly, the course needed to be free of charge.

Now this latest installment sees the introduction of a developed LRC course which will include all of the GMDSS communication devices simulators needed. As well as the developing of new course material, there is the addition of a number of new animations and simulators such as the MF/HF simulator and IMARSAT- C simulator.

The success of 'EGMDSS' ultimately led to the next stage of the project which is called 'EGMDSS VET' and again this is funded by the same EU training programme offering people the opportunity to create their very own course in the way they wish.

The aim of the project is to offer online GMDSS courses to seafarers and to offer a dedicated e-learning system to GMDSS VET providers to be able to develop and maintain such courses.

Project plans include the development of further courses at higher certification levels such as ROC and GOC as well as obtaining accreditation for the existing SRC and LRC courses by national and international licensing bodies and authorities.