GE expands DP school in Houston

(HOUSTON) — GE’s Marine Solutions has long proved its extensive expertise in dynamic positioning (DP) technology and training capability through customer project execution and services provided worldwide.

To continue improving customer experience and enhancing marine training and service capability, GE has reinvested in the Marine Technical Center, its flagship DP training school opened in 2005, by moving the school to a larger facility in the Westway Plaza, Houston.

At the heart of GE’s marine’s operations, the training center is accredited and regulated by the Nautical Institute (NI) and meets Class A standards. It is on an exclusive list where only a few DP schools worldwide are authorized to conduct sea time reduction (STR) courses. Mariners undergoing the STR training will be credited with 30 days of DP sea time when they complete the five-day courses.

The school provides a contemporary visualization system, a full interactive instrument panel and hands-on immersion DP training. In addition, the school has also expanded its existing training portfolio and introduced new marine training courses, which cover a larger scope of maritime operations. With expanded capacity, the new training center will also be able to train twice as many trainees as before in areas such as power management automation, propulsion and drilling operation and other operation and maintenance courses.

One of the added value for marine customers comes in the form of hands-on experience with some of GE’s most exciting technologies. Among others, the new training center will showcase MV3000, SD7000 and low- and medium-voltage switchboards to facilitate better training.

By consolidating the North American technical support facilities into the same location, GE is bringing field engineers to provide enhanced remote monitoring and diagnostic support to its customers. By using digital tools such as SeaStream Insight and Visor, the facility is transforming into a digital marine technical support center, establishing Houston at the heart of GE’s Marine Solutions in North America with stronger engineering presence.

Training courses on SeaStream DP, vessel automation and control systems and MV3000 drives are readily available. Trainings on LV5, MV6, SD7000 and switchgear will be available starting May 2017.

For more information, visit www.ge.com and www.gemarinesolutions.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff