Anthony Gould AFNI FRGS, Chairman and CEO
Galileo Maritime Academy has this month announced the completion of its new architect designed professional crew training centre and crew residence in Phuket, Thailand. The “T” shaped buildings comprise state-of-the-art training and recreation rooms, a seafarer medical centre, a culinary arts and hospitality school, a three metre deep survival training pool and first class accommodation for 30 students.
This central complex is located just above Yacht Haven Marina, the largest superyacht marina in Asia, with spectacular views over Phang Nga Bay and is just a few minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. Students can walk to all the Galileo campus facilities in the 200 acre site which includes a marine engineering school, a survival craft and fast rescue boats training jetty, an advanced fire-fighting school and 8 training vessels moored in the marina.
Galileo is accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and approved to provide 21 MCA professional seafarer courses and to issue MCA Certificates of Proficiency including basic and advanced STCW qualifications and refresher courses. Over the last five years Galileo Maritime Academy has established itself as the flag-ship MCA training centre for professional seafarers in this region and the only such comprehensively approved and equipped facility in Asia. Galileo now provides seafarer training and certification for the cruise ship, merchant shipping, offshore oil & gas and superyacht industries.
Commenting on this announcement the company’s Chairman and CEO, Anthony Gould, said, “It is with much pride and satisfaction that we are able to announce this major step forward in maritime training facilities in the Asia region where there has been a shortage of quality training for professional seafarers and an obvious need to provide higher standards of safety and crew competence. Our students come from all around the world and from every branch of the maritime industry and what they experience here is outstanding quality of practical instruction, modern top standard facilities and equipment, help in starting in the industry and in developing their careers and future prospects, as well as a lot of fun and valuable friendships and connections. Phuket is a wonderful location for this type of training and right at the heart of the marine industry in Asia.”
“In all 174 maritime nations and states that are members of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the STCW ( Standards of Training and Certification for Watch-keepers ) training and certification as provided to seafarers by Galileo is a requirement under international maritime regulations for all crew working on vessels of 24 metre length and above.”
