(ARENDAL, Norway) — Norsafe has become the first lifeboat manufacturer to provide training courses for seafarers that are compliant with Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and Norwegian Oil and Gas (NOROG) guidelines.
This means that the company is the only lifeboat manufacturer that offers production, servicing and certified training in the operation and maintenance of lifeboats and lifeboat crew.
Gaining STCW approval is very timely for Norsafe as the Manila 2010 Amendments to the STCW-78 Convention stipulate that seafarers, who are qualified in the following areas, need to provide documentary proof they have recently undergone training or have been on a refresher course within the last five years by Jan. 1, 2017. The areas affected by the Manila Amendments are:
• Advanced firefighting – (STCW table A-VI/3)
• Survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats – (STCW table A-VI/2-1)
• Medical first aid – (STCW table A-VI4-1)
• Proficiency in fast rescue boats – (STCW table A-VI/2-2)
Norsafe has two modern training academies, one in Rosendal, Norway, and the other in Athens, providing STCW and Norwegian Oil and Gas (NOROG) compliant courses.
The company has worked hard to ensure its training centers are some of the most advanced in the industry, with course attendees using up-to-date equipment similar to what they will encounter at sea.
“Norsafe offers life-saving equipment of the highest standard, worldwide servicing and now with the addition of STCW-certified training, we can confidently state we’re a complete safety supplier,” said Michael Røssland, vice president, Norsafe Academy. “With Port State Control Inspections consistently finding a 10 percent deficiency rate in lifesaving equipment maintenance and training, it is important that shipowners and ship management companies focus on this area as it could quite literally be a matter of life or death."
For more information on Norsafe’s range of products and services, contact mail@norsafe.com or call +47 37 05 85 00.
