[SatNews] Maritime operational effectiveness is to be enhanced globally through the provision of training and certification for seafarers assigned to use advanced SATCOM systems on-board commercial vessels.

The initiative, which has been tailored for maritime professionals serving on thousands of commercial vessels at sea, is being led by Seagull Maritime, a Norwegian provider of seafarer training, and GVF, the London-based international association of the satellite communications industry.

“Ship owners and managers depend daily upon broadband satellite communications for mission-critical applications,” said Seagull Maritime Master Mariner and Managing Director Roger Ringstad. “Everything from navigation and asset tracking, to seafarer health and safety can be more effectively provided by ensuring that training is available for the operation of maritime satellite systems. Therefore, we are pleased to make the GVF Marine Satcom learning and certification modules available to seafarers through the Seagull Maritime global training system.”

“Having enrolled more than ten thousand trainees in GVF’s land-based Certification program, Seagull Maritime’s leadership in the maritime sector will now enable the satellite industry to offer vital skills-building to the seafaring community,” said GVF Secretary General David Hartshorn. "The Seagull Maritime network, combined with interactive GVF training developed by SatProf, is being made available in response to unprecedented demand for maritime broadband satellite communications.”

Key features of the training and Certification program include the following:

• Real-Time Skills Building: With thousands of earth stations currently operating onboard fleets of commercial vessels, the Seagull Maritime-GVF collaboration will enable delivery of training to mariners who are already at sea. This will be achieved through provision of GVF’s SatProf interactive training via the Seagull Maritime computer systems now in use on the vessels.
• Professional Advancement: Seafarers who successfully complete the designated training courses, which include integral exams, will receive GVF Marine Satcom Operator Specialist Certifications, which have been endorsed by the global satellite industry.InterManager members have begun a research project to evaluate the benefits of "Certification". InterManager is the international association of in-house and third party ship managers.
• Improved Operations: Ship owners and managers will benefit from reinforced skills that enable communications applications that reduce operational costs, increase efficiencies, and optimize crew safety and welfare.

For more information, please visit the Seagull Maritime AS infosite  or the GVF infosite.