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Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Hey, wanna learn how to drive a pirogue and get TWO certificates?


 

We are not going to let you operate any boat without some theoretical knowledge. So you must complete the Essential Navigation and Seamanship online course first. Once you've done that, the Practical Open Boat Handling course is your opportunity to practice the boat handling theory from ENS with our experienced instructors.

SSNT's Practical Open Boat Handling course teaches how to handle an open boat (pirogue) about 25 feet long and fitted with an outboard engine and a steering console. 

In the POBH course, you will practice how to steer a boat using landmarks and using a compass. You will learn how to manoeuvre a boat for a crew member to recover a floating object from the water. You will learn how to manoeuvre a boat to leave a dock and you will learn how to manoeuvre a boat onto a dock.

In this course you are guaranteed four, 60 minute, one-on-one sessions with your instructor. You will need practice the exercises in different conditions and areas. Call or message to find out more.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

SSNT Vessel Operations TTNVQ programme. Go beyond Boatmaster.



The programme was created for both private and professional seafarers and has value for shore-based workers in nautical-related jobs. In its entirety it is a vocational programme to provide competencies and knowledge of seafarers, who hold or want to hold licences for operating vessels in inshore waters. The programme provides participants with deeper learning of the methods, techniques and equipment used on inshore commercial vessels.

The most important values which inform this programme are the need for the Caribbean to have human resources that can coexist with its coastal resources. Boat operators in the Caribbean need to work to the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental awareness. Whether the boat is carrying passengers to fishing grounds and scuba diving spots, or carrying chemicals and equipment to an offshore oil platform, a Caribbean boat operator should be able to do both to the same high standards.    

The most important intellectual skills developed in this programme are being able assess boats, equipment, seafarers and the environment for operational fitness, as well as planning, executing and monitoring basic boat operations in coastal waters. The navigational units in this programme are specifically focused on the Trinidad coastal waters giving students a detailed knowledge. The seamanship units in the programme are focused of the types of operations that occur most frequently in Trinidad waters.

The most useful practical skills, techniques and capabilities developed are: how to prepare an inshore boat for port operations, plan and prepare for maintenance of the inshore vessel’s hull and machinery, carry passengers in accordance with best safety practices and prepare a detailed passage plan between ports in the Caribbean Trading Area.

On completing this programme, we want students to know and understand how to: maintain a marine safety management system on a boat, ensure operations are completed without negative impacts on the environment, compute compass error and apply it to courses and bearings

On completing this programme we want students to be able to: inspect an inshore boat for seaworthiness, take charge of a navigational watch, avoid collisions on vessels in sight of one another, manoeuvre a boat less than 24 metres in length, plot navigation positions and courses on nautical charts, load and unload deck cargo on an inshore boat with due regard to safety and stability, secure deck cargo on an inshore boat with due regard to safety and stability.

Friday, April 16, 2021

ALL Caribbean boatmasters must be environmental warriors

 


Here in the Caribbean, workers in the tourism industry and the offshore energy industry often come from the same family or live next door to each other. And both should be interested in the sustainability of their respective industries. In the case of a Caribbean boatmaster, she can be operating a tour boat taking passengers to see a reef one week, and taking a supply boat with chemicals to offshore platforms the next week. SSNT would say the Caribbean boat master's interest in environmental protection must be personal, not just regulatory. Caribbean Boatmasters cannot operate like foreign seamen passing through a region with limited resources to penalise them for pollution. Caribbean boatmasters have to protect the beaches they take their own families to, protect the fisheries that their families will eat.

The IMO's MARPOL, is name of the main international convention providing guidelines for preventing pollution from boats and ships during operations or by accident. 

We are just trying to bring awareness and highlight and important topic. As usual, the experts on MARPOL and anything connected with the IMO is the Maritime Authority in your country.

The Caribbean boatmaster must be prevent pollution by oil her boat is carrying as fuel. She must prevent pollution by any harmful liquids carried as cargo. She must prevent pollution by sewage from her boat. She must prevent pollution by garbage from her boat and prevent air pollution from her boat's exhaust fumes.

Ships and boats have been identified as major contributors to air pollution and green house gas emissions. There are many regulatory changing taking place to reduce the amount of pollution from boats. The carbon footprint of your boat s to be monitored. These cover things like the shape of boats, the type of fuel used and using electricity for most machines on board and generating just enough electricity to cover the load.

Seamanship for mates is different from seamanship for sailors.

 



The Cargo Work and Stability unit from SS Nautical Training takes the types of work done by Caribbean vessels into consideration.

In the last 50 years, technology has brought many developments in the nautical field, not least about how rope is used. How many knots can you make? I can only make two, because I only used two in my seagoing career and since that time. Seriously, I have never met a situation that needed anything beyond a clove hitch or a bowline. Ancient mariners needed to know different things about rope than the modern boatmaster on a modern boat in a modern oilfield. Modern regulations regarding the certification of lifting and towing equipment means that all of that stuff is made in a factory and comes ready made to the boat. 

On completion of our CWS unit, you will understand the information given in the ship's particulars document, and given by hull, draught and load line marks. You will be able to describe the function of: deck cargo stowage plans and safe deck best practice. You will find out how the cargo securing manual provides vessel specific information on fixed and portable cargo lashing and securing equipment.

You will be able to conduct safe bunkering operations because you will learn about the hazards of hydrocarbons, pumps and piping arrangements.

By the end of the course, you will have an understanding of the boat's buoyancy, centre of gravity, stability booklets, stability computers and GZ curves.


Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Learn the details of Nautical Charts & Publications around Trinidad

 


You should know the waters around Trinidad very, very well, if you are trained properly. SSNT's Magnetic Compass Charts and Publications unit includes following lessons: Navigation landmarks on the Trinidad coast, Anchorages around Trinidad, Aids to Navigation lights on the Trinidad north coast, Interacting with fishing boats on the Trinidad coast, Marine Oil and Gas Fields in Trinidad waters, Navigational channels around Trinidad, Shoals and shallow areas in Trinidad waters, Dry season on the Trinidad coast, Ocean currents around Trinidad, Rainy season on the Trinidad coast, Tidal current flow around Trinidad, Tidal current predictions for Gulf of Paria north, Tidal current predictions for Gulf of Paria south, Tidal current predictions for Trinidad south coast and Winds and squalls off the Trinidad coast (4)

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to describe Trinidad’s coastal waters and coastline. The sailing directions have been repurposed to highlight navigation landmarks, recommended anchorages, marine oil and gas fields, lighthouses, seasonal conditions, ports around Trinidad, ocean current flow, tidal current flow, Orinoco river effect, prevailing winds, shallow areas and rocks around Trinidad. Learners will also be able to describe the types of fishing boats and fishing areas around Trinidad.

You will have to complete the magnetic compass and bridge watchkeeping courses in this unit. In the magnetic compass course you learn how to use the compass rose on a chart and a deviation card to convert true courses to compass courses, and convert compass bearings to true bearings for plotting on the chart. In the very short bridge watchkeeping course, you get note on keeping a lookout, responding to helm orders, doing fire rounds and handing over bridge watches.



Monday, April 12, 2021

Advanced Coastal Navigation - Cover the Caribbean


On successful completion of SSNT's Advanced Coastal Navigation unit, you will be able to start and set up a radar set, to identify the errors in a sextant and use it for vertical and horizontal sextant angle position lines. The unit is two short, online courses and a distance learning workbook.

On successful completion of the Position fixing and radar course, you will be able to take and plot visual bearings and running fixes and to use the range and height of lighthouses for position lines. You will be able to monitor position using the echo sounder and know the precautions to take with GPS positions. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to use the nautical almanac, ABC tables, clock and calculator to calculate azimuth and amplitude, for determining compass error on the Trinidad coast. Lessons include: Taking visual bearings, Setting up a radar set and Practical navigation in reduced visibility.

1.   On successful completion of the Celestial navigation on the Trinidad coast course, you will be able to use the nautical almanac, ABC tables, clock and calculator to calculate azimuth and amplitude, for determining compass error on the Trinidad coast. Lessons include: Trinidad in the celestial sphere, Introduction to the nautical almanac, Moon effect on navigation around Trinidad, Observing the Sun from Trinidad and Calculating azimuth and amplitude

On completion of the coastal navigation workbook volume 2, you will be able to calculate under keel clearance, use Deduced Reckoning, Estimated Position and running fixes for positions. You will find out the parts and errors of the sextant, and how to use vertical sextant angles for position lines. You will be able to take bearings of celestial bodies and compute compass and gyro error using the nautical almanac, tables and calculator. You will be able to do plane sailing calculations of course and distance. You will do  plan passages.

Sunday, April 11, 2021

What to look out for on a boat


 

Keeping a look out is one of the most important tasks on a boat. Everyone should be able to do it, especially in the deck department. It is often a job given to junior seafarers. 

SSNT teaches the fundamentals of keeping a look out in our Collision Prevention Buoyage and Flags (CPBF) learning unit. On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to interpret the guidance and warnings provided by buoys and beacons around Trinidad to navigate the vessel away from dangers and in and out of ports safely. Here's a sample of the online material: https://youtu.be/WSS3w2hfPbs 

Learners will be able to recognise the International Code of Signals flags regularly used by ships and boats in port. Here's a sample of the online learning material: https://youtu.be/OGAf5IqW0eM 

Learners will be able to recognise and identify the lights and shapes prescribed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Here's a sample of the online material: https://youtu.be/WUPwlEEUtVo

Learners will be able to recognise and identify the sound signals prescribed in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Here's a sample of the online material: https://youtu.be/dYOMr2XjfmI

Learners find out how to describe the direction of object relative to the boat they are on. Learners are introduced to some key terms used in the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. Learners find out how to determine if risk of collision exists. Learners find out how to determine which vessel should take action if risk of collision exists. Learners find out how to take action to avoid collision when risk of collision exists. Here's a sample of the online material: https://youtu.be/3lu_QbCmZ9o 

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Start learning about boats with this quick, affordable beginner course


 Here's what you get in SSNT's beginner course:

In Planning the Boat Trip, you will learn how to describe boats and the names of the main parts of a boat. You will find out the essential equipment that must be on board a boat for a safe trip. You will find out the purpose of some navigation equipment commonly carried on pleasure craft. You will find out the distress signals and life-saving equipment used on boats and how to use the boat's radio to make a distress call.

In checking the machinery, you are introduced to outboard engines and their main components and features. You will find out how to check inboard engines prior to a voyage. You find out the function of and the need to check the boat's batteries. You also find out how to check running machinery.

In Identifying lights, shapes and sounds, you find out the important visual signals used at sea that affect small boats. You are introduced to the navigation lights used by small boats and how to identify large ships by lights at night. You find out the sound signals used by boats in port and at sea.

In avoiding collisions, you find out how to describe the direction of objects relative to the boat they are on. You are introduced to some key terms used in the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. You find out how to determine if risk of collision exists. You find out how to determine which vessel should take action if risk of collision exists. And you find out how to take action to avoid collision when risk of collision exists.

In mooring the boat and rope work, you are introduced to the basics of rope commonly used on boats. You also learn useful knots, bends, hitches and splices and how to use ropes safely. You learn the mooring equipment on boats and docks and how to use them safely when mooring on a dock or to a buoy.

In anchoring the boat, you find out how to select a position to anchor a boat and how to anchor a boat. You are introduced to some key components of anchoring equipment carried on boats. You find out how to stow anchoring equipment on the boat.

In using charts and publications, you find out how nautical charts assist with navigation. You are introduced to some of the key symbols and abbreviations used on nautical charts. You are introduced to the compass rose and the magnetic compass. And you are introduced to the latitude and longitude scales.

In identifying buoyage, you find out about the buoyage system used on the T&T coasts. You find out how to identify buoys that mark dangers and the path to safety by day or night. You will be able to identify channel marker, isolated danger and cardinal marker buoys.

In using tide and current information, you are introduced to the basics of tide and current. You will find out where to find information about tides and currents and how to use tide tables to find the time of high and low tides. You find out how to use current prediction information and what effect current from various directions has on the boat.

In navigating with GPS, you are introduced to latitude and longitude, position lines in navigation and satellite navigation. You find out some of the features of GPS that assist boats to navigate safely from one waypoint to another.

In interpreting weather forecasts, you will find out how to interpret the language used in weather forecasts. You are introduced to some key terms used in weather forecasts and bulletins. You find out how hurricanes move across the Caribbean. And you find out sources of weather information.

In boat handling theory, you find out the basic rules of motion as they apply to small boats, as well as the external forces that act on boats. You are introduced to boat handling equipment and the mechanics of how a rudder and propeller interact to turn a boat. You find out the theory of steering a boat in a current and are introduced to several berthing and unberthing scenarios. You find out the basic theory of manoeuvring a boat to recover a person in the water.


Parents, this is how young people start learning about boats.



As island nations, we have many recreational boaters who would benefit from nautical training. And many jobs are related to boats and ships. In addition to the obvious seafaring and fishing, there are many other professions where knowledge of boats, ships and their operations would be advantageous to an employment candidate. 

There are air conditioners, refrigerators, computers to service on board when the ship or boat is in port. Future welders, fitters, carpenters and machinists in Caribbean boat and ship yards could have a solid foundation in nautical training. Future candidates for the related departments in the government service, the protective services, customs, immigration, port health officers and port workers, shipping agents, ship chandlers, at all levels would improve their employment prospects with nautical training. And of course, all of successful lawyers, doctors, actors, singers and rappers among our young people will own or charter a boat eventually. 

SS Nautical Training is offering our Essential Navigation and Seamanship (ENS) unit for beginners, at a special rate, to Caribbean residents, who are under 18 years of age and enrolled in an educational institution.
Essential Navigation and Seamanship is not a professional qualification. It affords learners the opportunity to access nautical training early and locally at affordable rates. And thereby, learners discover aptitudes and interests that might not have been otherwise found. The ENS unit is an introduction to navigation and boat safety awareness for new or inexperienced boaters, and those wanting to refresh their skills. In fact it's for anyone interested in sailing, motor boating, fishing or diving, and complements professional nautical qualifications, such as STCW and Boatmaster.
Our ENS unit is based on the same named course offered by the Royal Yachting Association. It is a highly informative course that learners can receive in a classroom, online or blended learning. The module is delivered over 2 days or 16 hours in the class room.
The ENS online unit is delivered through over 50 narrated presentations of 4 minutes average duration and over 100 multiple choice questions located on www.ssnauticaltraining.myicourse.com. 
Jumping into a swimming pool wearing a life jacket is fun for some people, terrifying for others. But for sure, it does not teach you anything about boats. Neither does giving CPR or using a fire extinguishers. Both are very useful life skills, but not really boat skills.
SS Nautical Training is determined to provide affordable, high quality nautical training to young people in the Caribbean. 


Friday, April 9, 2021

Caribbean youth, doing Boatmaster is cool



This blog is for young Caribbean people whose minds have never considered a career with boats (and their parents). If you don't personally know anyone connected to boats, you probably never think about boats unless you have to go in one. That probably means you've never thought about working on a boat or learning about boats. We will try to change your mind and get you more interested in boats. It's a good idea, you live on an island, so listen up.

The Hollywood image of a captain  is an old man with a white beard. Actually, captains and people working toward being a captain come in a range of ages and both genders. So anyone can join.

The boat industry is one where professionals have to keep themselves upgraded with the latest technologies and regulations at regular intervals. SSNT has courses for both sea going and onshore professionals to be skilled and knowledgeable in the dynamic boat industry.

The SSNT Boatmaster programme was created for both private and professional seafarers and has value for shore-based workers in nautical-related jobs. In its entirety it is a vocational programme to provide competencies and knowledge of seafarers, who hold or want to hold licences for operating vessels in inshore waters. The programme provides participants with deeper learning of the methods, techniques and equipment used on inshore commercial vessels.

The most important values which inform the SSNT programme are the need for the Caribbean to have the human resources that can coexist with its coastal resources. Boat operators in the Caribbean need to work to the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental awareness. Whether the boat is carrying passengers to fishing grounds and scuba diving spots, or carrying chemicals and equipment to an offshore oil platform, a Caribbean boat operator should be able to do both to the same high standards.    

The most important intellectual skills developed in the SSNT Boatmaster programme are being able assess boats, equipment, seafarers and the environment for operational fitness, as well as planning, executing and monitoring basic boat operations in coastal waters. The navigational units in this programme are specifically focused on the Trinidad coastal waters giving students a detailed knowledge. The seamanship units in the programme are focused of the types of operations that occur most frequently in Trinidad waters.

The most useful practical skills, techniques and capabilities developed are: how to prepare an inshore boat for port operations, plan and prepare for maintenance of the inshore vessel’s hull and machinery, carry passengers in accordance with best safety practices and prepare a detailed passage plan between ports in the Caribbean Trading Area.

On completing the SSNT Boatmaster programme, we want students to know and understand how to: maintain a marine safety management system on a boat, ensure operations are completed without negative impacts on the environment, compute compass error and apply it to courses and bearings

On completing the SSNT Boatmaster programme, we want students to be able to: inspect an inshore boat for seaworthiness, take charge of a navigational watch, avoid collisions on vessels in sight of one another, manoeuvre a boat less than 24 metres in length, plot navigation positions and courses on nautical charts, load and unload deck cargo on an inshore boat with due regard to safety and stability, secure deck cargo on an inshore boat with due regard to safety and stability

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Where will my nautical qualification be recognised?


 

You are invited to comment, ask questions and follow this blog to learn about training for offshore jobs.

We must first try to define, nautical qualification. Nautical qualifications are certificates and licences. You must have certain certificates to get different licences. And you need a licence to get a job on a boat. And to work on a particular boat, you need a licence or an endorsement from the country where the boat is registered.

Maritime Authorities, in each country where boats and ships are registered, set the standards of seafarer training for people working on boats and ships in their country. The STCW standard provided by the IMO is a global minimum standard. That means that basic training would be at the standard, but better training has to exceed the standard. Many nations exceed the standards.

What is the IMO White list?

The white list is simply a list of countries who have told the IMO that they are following what STCW says. More important are the reciprocal maritime licence agreements between countries. Here is an example of a reciprocal agreement between the owners and operators of Canada registered ships and seafarers from Australia, France and Norway, who want to work on Canada registered ships. So, seafarers from Australia, France and Norway can apply for a Canadian endorsement of their Australian STCW licence. And seafarers from Canada can apply for an Australian endorsement of their Canadian STCW licence. Ask the Maritime Authority in your country which countries you have reciprocal agreements with.

You must have a licence from where the boat is registered

This blog is for people who want to work on boats that are registered and working in the Caribbean region.  The registration of boats is normally something boat owners would do. We will try to do a very brief explanation here, but the details are available from the Maritime Authority in the country. 

Boats are for transportation and can be classified similar to cars. Boats can be private, for passengers, for goods and for commercial fishing. A Maritime Authority registers boats with classifications like: domestic passenger boats on domestic voyages, cargo and commercial craft up to 500 gross tonnage and recreational boats up to 200 gross tonnage. 

What is a manning certificate?

When a boat is registered to be hired for money and operated by licenced, paid personnel, the Maritime Authority issues a manning certificate. The manning certificate states the number of people that must be on board for the boat to be at sea legally. The manning certificate will also say what qualifications people holding the different positions should have. For example, it might say that the captain must have a Boatmaster 1 licence and the mate must have a Boatmaster 2 licence.


Monday, April 5, 2021

Coastal Passage Planning. Be a navigator.



You are invited to comment, ask questions and follow this blog to learn about training for offshore jobs. 

Navigation is the study of planning, executing and monitoring journey on land, sea, in the air and in space. Yes, rally racing cars, passenger planes and space ships all have navigators. 

Let's talk about navigator pride for a second. A navigator is never lost, she always knows where her boat is. The degree of certainty might vary. A good, well trained navigator will never make her boat touch the sea bed or go aground. 

Next, we can introduce one of the most important nautical regulations. That rule is that: every boat must keep a proper lookout using eyes, ears and available equipment.

So a navigators primary is to keep a lookout, and she gets some interesting equipment to do it with.

The modern navigator has to trained in using electronic maps of the sea, called "nautical charts". These charts show the details of what is under the surface of the sea like the depth of the water and the type of sea bed. 

The nautical map also shows landmarks and lights that help the navigator know where the boat is located. The nautical map also gives the navigator information about currents.

A navigator needs to know what kind of binoculars are best suited for the marine environment.

The modern navigator is also trained to use of the many instruments that aid navigation. 

These include the GPS, Radar, Echo sounder, Radio and Weather information receiver. 

The navigator looks at the nautical maps and plans the voyage. She then draws the lines on the map. These are like the road the boat will follows. She inputs data from the map into the GPS. During the voyage, the navigator monitors both her surroundings and the GPS to keep the boat safe. 

The navigator uses an echo sounder to monitor how deep the water is under her boat. She compares the depth displayed on the echo sounder with the depths on the nautical map. Remember that the bigger a boat is, more of the boat is below the water. So more care and use of the instruments when navigating a big boat in shallow water.

This is just a snack. For an appetizer, check out SSNT's Essential Navigation and Seamanship videos on our YouTube channel and sign up for our beginner navigation course.  



Saturday, April 3, 2021

Where are the nautical jobs in the Caribbean?


 

A 'good' boat (and crew) will be able to do different kinds of work. In this blog, we are focused on Caribbean-based boat activities where there will be employment opportunities for Caribbean youth. You will have more employment opportunities if you plan from the start of your career to get experience on different types of boats.

Port Service Boats

Sea ports are very busy places. On the waterfront and in the port, there will be large, international ships arriving and departing, and either loading or unloading cargo.

Transferring port officials 

Just as passengers have to clear immigration and customs to enter a country, in the same way the passengers, crew and the ship itself has to be 'cleared' in and out of a country. Customs and Immigration officials have often go out on launches to clear arriving passengers, crew and ships at the anchoring area. After the ship is cleared, the launches are employed in transferring passengers and crew to and from the shore. 

Parking for big ships

Towing or towage companies provide small, powerful boats call tugboats or tugs. Tugs are used to escort big ships in and out of port and also help the big ships to turn and park. A tug will typically have a captain, an engineer and a deckhand.

Grocery and gas station

Ports are also the place where ships get groceries, fresh drinking water and fuel for the machinery. The groceries are often delivered when the big ship is anchored near the port. Small workboats are used to deliver stores to ships. Fuel and water are often delivered by a barge. Barges are floating storage and don't usually have engines, so they have to be pulled by work boats or tugs.   

Waste disposal 

Ships and boats operate under very strict environmental regulations. Almost no waste is allowed to be disposed of at sea. All of the waste on a boat and ship is recorded when it is put ashore. Garbage and waste oil are sometimes collected by workboats and barges while the big ship is at anchor.

Ship repairs 

The space on the jetty is prioritised for cargo loading and unloading. As a result, many ship repairs are done in the port anchoring area or anchorage. Everyday workboats are taking equipment, spare parts and technicians to and from the ships in the anchorage.

Port maintenance

The port itself also has to be maintained. The jetty has to be inspected periodically above and below the water. The equipment on the jetty will need maintenance routinely. And the navigation channel leading into the port from the sea has to be kept deep enough for the big ships to enter and leave the port.

Passenger Boats 

One of the definitions of a passenger boat is a boat carrying more than 12 passengers. Passengers boats are guided by different regulations to cargo boats because everyone on a cargo boat has had STCW basic safety training and the passengers on a passenger boat have not.

Crew boats

There are crew boats taking platform workers between shore bases and offshore oil and gas platforms daily in the Caribbean. 

Touring boats  

By touring boats we mean the passenger boats that are used for the passengers to party, fish and sight see. The passengers on these boats are relaxing and having a good time but the crew have a lot of responsibility, and should be properly trained.

Offshore Oil and Gas Fields 

Work boats for exploration 

Exploration is a work use when people look for oil and gas in the sea bed. At all stages of exploration, many local workboats are employed to support the operations. Later when the minerals have been located and the drilling rigs have to be towed into position, set up and supported with the assistance of local workboats.

Work boats for production

Production is the process of removing the mineral from the well and transferring it for storage, processing and shipment. Each platform will have around four platform support boats doing jobs like emergency rescue boats and transporting equipment between the platform and the shore base.

Inter Island Cargo Boats 

SSNT does not know much about the cargo boats trading between the Caricom countries. When we find out, we will do a blog and a podcast. There are job opportunities on the cargo boats. In the Caribbean, people are buying and selling different types of boats regularly. These boats have to be transported from sellers to buyers in different countries and delivery crews are employed to get job done.

Friday, April 2, 2021

Can I use nautical training in a shore job?


 

You are invited to comment, ask questions and follow this blog to learn about training for offshore jobs.

First of all, you don't have to work on a boat for nautical training to be useful. We will try to show that nautical training has many practical uses and can improve our job performance and opportunities. At SSNT we deal with nautical  issues, knowledge and skills, not personalities. We avoid government and companies too. So we don't give any examples of companies, we try to describe jobs, you will have to find the companies. Remember to think about  the whole Caribbean.

Let's start with technicians and tradesmen. Are you a trained welder, air conditioning technician, an upholsterer or similar? Boats work in a harsh environment and constantly need repairs. Imagine if you also knew the parts of boat and the safe working practices on boats. You will be able to go after opportunities in boat yards.

Do you work, or plan to work, in a government department that deals with boats and boat operations? Before you apply to the coast guard, you can prepare yourself with some basic seamanship and navigation knowledge. After you join the coast guard, you can improve your skills and knowledge with further nautical training.

If you are planning to be a customs officer, you might have to search a boat or a ship for contraband. It will be very helpful to know something about how boats and ships are constructed and potential hiding places. 

All ports have shore based workers who have to interact with boats and boat operations. It will not do any harm if most, if not all, staff have some boat operations training. The obvious jobs for nautical training are stevedores and the health an safety professionals. Marine terminal or jetty operator is a shore based job where a lot of nautical training is needed. But customer service workers can also benefit from the right nautical training.

There are companies that provide boat related services to the offshore oil and gas fields. These companies hire shore based operations and administration workers. If you are trained as a mechanical engineering technician or an electrical and electronic engineering technician, and you have the right knowledge of boats and boat equipment, you will have more job opportunities.