Enclosed Space Safety to the Forefront in Maritime

Seagull Maritime has launched a new onboard training course covering Enclosed Space Entry in ships, at a time when the issue is being brought into sharp focus by industry regulators.
 
A committee meeting of the Ports Memorandum on Port State Control (Paris MOU) in May unveiled plans for a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on Crew Familiarisation for Enclosed Space Entry. The campaign, scheduled between September and November this year in concert with the Tokyo MOU, is part of CIC efforts to verify compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006).
 
Norwegian maritime safety training specialists Seagull Maritime welcomes the Paris MOU move. Seagull Director, Training Content, Bent Christoffersen says: “Every year many seafarers are injured or killed working in enclosed spaces.

The new E-learning course from Seagull Maritime has been developed specifically to raise awareness of the associated dangers and give crew members the knowledge they need to avoid the potential hazards.”
 
The course is made up of practical onboard exercises and three CBT components, including Enclosed Space Entry Awareness (CBT 285), and the two recently introduced modules on Gas measurement, a safe atmosphere and Gas measurement, measuring instruments (CBT 425 and 426). It focuses on enclosed space hazards and personal protective equipment, and highlights how to recognise the harmful effects of gas inhalation. Learners are also instructed in the use of portable gas measurement instruments and the dangerous gases that might be present in enclosed spaces on a ship.
 
Christoffersen adds: “This onboard course targets officers at an operational and management level and will be particularly helpful to those who plan and carry out mandatory enclosed space entry and rescue drills onboard.”
 
As Ports State Control bodies intensify their focus on MLC 2006 compliance, Seagull has been developing a range of CBT courses tailored to the requirements of this Convention. Six courses are now available from Seagull, including modules providing an introduction to MLC2006 for all levels of crew and setting out the onboard and management responsibilities, and others offering guidance on issues such as  lifestyle choices and physical exercise.
 
Christoffersen adds: “We have carried out a significant number of training sessions on MLC compliance and have issued nearly 3,000 MLC 2006 training certificates since 2012. Paris MOU plans to carry out a further CIC in 2016 on MLC, highlighting again that shipowners and operators need the right training tools in place to support compliance.”