University launches new course in maritime training

Liverpool John Moores University’s (LJMU) Maritime Centre announced that launched a new portfolio of STCW (Standards on Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) and bespoke training courses, which covers a variety of courses for all ranks of commercial ships, super yachts and workboats, utilising the Centre’s existing and new bridge, engine and communication simulators.

The portfolio is part of LJMU’s expanded professional training delivered through the Maritime Knowledge Hub, which is operated in partnership with Mersey Maritime, the representative body for the maritime sector in the North West of England.

LJMU’s new training simulator facility was opened by UK Shipping Minister John Hayes in October 2016. There are eight bridge simulators and one engine room simulator, a desktop simulator suite consisting of 10 ships’ bridges, a separate GMDSS simulator suite and an ECDIS simulator suite, in the facility.

Abdul Khalique, Head of the Maritime Centre, noted that LJMU’s simulation technology aims to support regional strategic initiatives around the Port of Liverpool expansion and the Atlantic Gateway developments and anticipates further expansion opportunities for training in the offshore wind, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors.

The university is to expand its training portfolio by realizing collaboration agreements with several national training providers, to offer bespoke training for senior officers in Merchant Navy. Also, it is possible that it will include other courses in the portfolio, such as Ballast Water Management and Engine and Bridge Resource Management.