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By Larry Pearson Like almost every other technical training program, mariner training has become more complex and demand- ing. Since the introduction of the International Maritime Organization's Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) in the U.S. in 1997, Sea School has been among the principal providers of such training. Sea School is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla. with locations in Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville and Pana- ma City Fla., Charleston, S.C., Houston Texas, Long Island, N.Y., St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Mobile, Ala., located in Bayou LaBatre, Ala. The Bayou LaBatre campus is the company's largest located in a three story building in the heart of this town's shrimp processing and boat building industries. The cam- pus is unique not only in the breath of the courses it offers, but has a dormitory on the third floor where up to 38 students can stay for multi-day courses and on-site food service is offered for all students as a part of the tuition cost. There are also on-site fire fields, life boats and other hands-on areas to make the course material all the more relevant and where students can demonstrate their proficiency in life saving and other areas. Because of its proximi- ty to the Gulf of Mexico, Sea School-Mobile spe- cializes in the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry. "Career path training is the central mission of Sea School, "said Bud McKenzie, one of the instructors at the Bayou La Batre campus. "The focus is on training cours- es and programs that are U.S. Coast Guard approved and STCW-95 compliant, "McKenzie added. "We have bundled a number of approved training courses and programs to provide this needed career-path training," McKenzie said. Sea School's career path training programs begin with training and certification for the entry-level mariners with follow-on programs that lead to deck or engineer officer level programs. The Bayou La Batre facility has seven full-time and two part-time instructors who teach about 50 courses ranging from a four-hour course in Assistance Towing to a 14-day Apprentice Mate (Steersman) course. "Basic Fire Fighting, Personal Safety and CPR/First Aid are among our most popular courses since they are a part of the basic STCW course series," McKenzie said. Students typically take a Deck Career Path or an Engi- neer Career Path in the entry level Mariner Career Path programs. This leads to Merchant Mariner's Documenta- tion (MMD) with Qualified Ratings and STCW-95 certi- fication. "We also specialize in Hazcom/Hazwoper pro- grams as well as DOT and Hazardous Materials pro- grams, McKenzie added. Courses in Tank Barge Fire Fighting and Tank Barge Dangerous Liquids PIC (Person in Charge) leads to Merchant Mariner's Documentation with Tankerman PIC Qualified Rating. Limited Tonnage Deck License programs cover Oper- ator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels and Mate/Master of vessels not more than 100 gross tons and Mate/Master of vessels not more than 200 GRT/500 GT (ITC). "The Mate/Master of vessels not more than 100 Gross Tons or not more than 200 GRT/500 GT (ITC) can com- ply with STCW-95 by completing Sea School's three-day Basic Training courses for these small commercial ves- sels," McKenzie said.. A complete series of Mate/Master OSV programs is available along with Engineer and Chief Engineer of OSV. There are five classrooms at the Bayou La Batre campus and two smaller ones that can also be used for testing. One classroom is set with multi- ple radar screens for Inland, Unlimited and Rivers cours- es. Refresher and recertification radar courses are also taught. In November 2004, 174 students were enrolled in various Sea School-Mobile courses. Sea School-Mobile has the advantage of on-site food services, on-location training fields and dormitory rooms. Circle 32 on Reader Service Card Training & Education Sea School: Specializing in Mariner Career Path Programs 18 • MarineNews • March, 2005 CG Approved Able Seaman, Basic Safety Training & Survival Craft (Unlimited) Courses Every Month Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessel GMDSS Call 904-766-4797 Other Approved Courses Offered Bluewater Maritime School In Jacksonville BLUEWATER MARITIME SCHOOL US Coast Guard Approved Maritime Training and STCW Instruction Circle 206 on Reader Service Card The home of Sea School-Mobile located in Bayou La Batre, Ala. MN MARCH05 3(17-24).qxd 3/4/2005 11:07 AM Page 18
