DYNAMARINe Certified as a Training Center for STS by ABS

DYNAMARINe Certified by ABS as an STS Training Centre

DYNAMARINe received earlier this month accreditation according to G-CMET training standards of ABS. The following Four STS related courses have been certified:

STS Handling for deck officers and masters.
STS Handling for Mooring Masters
Advanced STS Operations
On board STS Assessment
STS e-learning course

All above courses have been designed to serve a different purpose for training needs in STS operations. STS Handling coursesincorporate simulator training with qualified trainers. The advance STS operations course is a theoretical training that incorporates best practices, exercises statutory requirements, risk assessment and incident investigation needs. The on board assessment training is a module that is being delivered on board vessels, subject to owners request, and reports a gap analysis on vessel apparatus, procedures and human element preparedness. During this module an extensive training is being provided to seafarers with respect to procedural and best practices aspects. The STS e-learning course delivers training for STS due diligence, best practices and risk mitigating actions. This course applies to deck officers, ship operators. Users will have the ability to attend the course at their best convenience, since it is online.

For all above courses an attestation of attendance or certificate of training is provided.

STS DRILLS & Table Top Exercises now available by DYNAMARINe-onlineSTS.net.

The human element is a critical parameter for the safe and effective implementation of an STS Operation. During the planning phase, senior officers should have the knowledge and capacity to assess the incurred risks, on the basis of industry requirements.

DYNAMARINe offers Ship-to-Ship drill exercises designed towards verifying mariner’s preparedness. Senior officers should have the capacity to assess critical STS elements and other factors, on the basis of STS PLAN and latest OCIMF guidelines. Currently six exercises are available as shown below:

Assessment of the Joint Plan of Operations.
Vessel compliance with industry requirements.
Assessment of STS equipment and POAC qualifications.
Fender Selection and Rigging.
Approaching and initial contact of the manoeuvring vessel
Incident investigation

The exercises are prepared on a ship/fleet specific basis and may be arranged prior to an advance notice. The duration of above exercises is between 60 – 120 minutes.

The onlineSTS.net concept.

onlineSTS.net is a service of DYNAMARINe, addressed to Tanker Operators and Commercial Managers who perform clearances on nominated vessels for STS Operations in order to ensure vessel’s SUITABILITY and exercise their due diligence to the best possible extent with respect to the STS elements

The concept aims to the following:

To provide customised procedures for due diligence towards ensuring safety according to statutory and commercial requirements;
Not to hinder the commercial for the need of conducting an STS Operation, by introducing risk mitigating procedures at each STS Operation. It makes use of OSIS (onlineSTS.net Information System) database which includes past performance data for Vessels, Technical Operators, Service Providers, POACs;
To increase the reputation of the members;

The scope of this training course is to provide Deck Officers, Masters and POAC’s with extensive understanding in ship handling principles focused on STS interaction and best operating practices. The theoretical part incorporates issues associated with the shore and crew personnel’s preparedness, due diligence actions, risk management and vetting requirements according to industry practices and latest statutory rules and regulations.

The course is hosted in the facilities of “Maria Tsakos” TCM Academy and utilizes a state of the art full mission ship handling simulator from KONGSBERG. The course integrates both theory and practice in the simulator. The vital cooperation of shore operators with the crew is thoroughly analyzed, whilst focusing on the clearance on nominated vessels, on the technical assistance from shore to the vessel, necessitated compatibility assessments and risk management.

The practical training in the simulator entails extensive realistic scenarios at anchor and underway. The effect of weather condition is examined and emergency situations are also incorporated. The training process allows for four officers to be concurrently trained in different roles by qualified instructors.

Course description

The Course is divided in two sections in two days. During the first day we perform the theoretical part which covers due diligence actions, preparedness, statutory issues, risk assessment, guidelines and case studies. At the end of first day, delegates receive a familiarization course with 1 case study with the simulator. During the second day and third day, delegates perform 7-9 scenarios at the simulator, with different conditions (normal – reverse lightering, underway, at anchor, with and/or without tugs).

Course Objectives

Understand the use of checklists in support of operating practices
Be able to identify deficiencies and appropriate corrective actions when completing checklists
Work with others to ensure that operating procedures remain fit for purpose
Maneuver vessels safely and efficiently
Maneuver vessels in a professional manner
Integrate with the bridge team
Make full use of available bridge equipment and instrumentation
Effectively control vessel movements on final approach and during mooring
Demonstrate a full understanding of safe mooring practices
Demonstrate a full understanding of pre-departure checks and safe unmooring practices
Safely maneuver the vessel on departure, taking into account of the impact of prevailing environmental conditions and the characteristics of the vessels

Visit the STS Training web page

The authors, after one year of releasing the draft FAQ guide, considered industry’s comments from STS Stakeholders and have prepared the final version which has received a foreword from Mr. Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director of Thomas Miller P&I (Europe) Ltd and quotes from industry representatives, as shown below.

The final guide was presented at London, on 17 March 2016 and is available for distribution.

Industry Testimonials

“The completion and release of this edition, with the thorough, coherent and explanatory coverage of its subject, confirms the positive impression that I have from the provided services of DYNAMARINe in general, consisting at the same time a valuable tool for any person involved in the management of ship to ship operation. The thorough coverage and explanation of all issues and demands arising from the ship to ship operations are being presented in a wide range of definitions, examples and answers to any question may arise, provides knowledge and information of high standard and significant value. I am fully confident for its positive acceptance and recognition from the maritime and scientific community and that it will be widely used by respected professionals as well as from new comers in the maritime industry and will be set as a reference point soon.”

– Capt. Mattheou Dimitrios CEO Arcadia Shipmanagement Co ltd and Chairman of Green Award Foundation

“This is a document that will be provided to each BSM office managing tankers as a valuable resource for reference when planning for, and conducting, STS operations. Our long experience and satisfaction with Online STS services make this a very welcome addition to our reference library where it will be used often.”

– Mr. Nick Rich LPSQ Manager of BERNHARD SCHULTE MANAGEMENT (CYPRUS) LTD

“Reading through the STS FAQ I was impressed on how well it collected and compiled information from multiple sources to give answers to questions that affect operational, safety and planning issues regarding STS operations. I am sure that it will become an invaluable tool for all tankers operators, both ashore, but also onboard for the Masters to gain a better understanding both of the regulatory framework but also of its practical application and the relation of all the parties involved in an STS operation.”

– Capt. George Asteros Operations Director of MARAN TANKERS MANAGEMENT INC