PHILCAMSAT Receives Belgian Maritime Recognition

The Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training, Inc. (PHILCAMSAT) has received the distinction of being the first maritime training center in all of Asia to be recognized by the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate as its courses receive certification from the Directorate-General for Maritime Transport under the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport agency of the Kingdom of Belgium.

Also granted certification was the Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Training and Education (CMET), an industry academic-linkage between leading crew management company Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) and the Malayan Colleges Laguna of the Mapua Institute of Technology.

Issued in Antwerp, Belgium by Naval Architect-Director Bart Heylbroeck, the certification verifies that the content, method of instruction and the evaluation employed by PHILCAMSAT and CMET in their training courses are in accordance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) code. With this development, PHILCAMSAT trainees and graduates of CMET are assured that their training is compliant with international standards and is duly recognized by European-flagged ships, thereby helping secure their employment on board these vessels.

This achievement is another testament to PHILCAMSAT’s strength in and commitment to providing seafarers with world-class competency training through its simulator-based center in First Maritime Place, Makati and its basic safety training campus in Maragondon called The MAST, as well as, through its collaboration with CMET for basic education. Instrumental in PHILCAMSAT’s attainment of this distinction is Exmar Shipmanagement, represented by Capt. Marc Robert, LPG Unit Director, who shares PHILCAMSAT’s belief in the capability and skill of the Filipino seafarer enhanced through opportunities for continuing professional development.

A total of 10 training courses passed the certification audit and these include: Advanced Firefighting Training (A-VI/3), Basic Safety Training (A-VI/1), Medical First Aid Training (A-VI/4-1), Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other than Fast Rescue Boats Training (A-VI/2-1), Trainings for Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch on ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/4), Trainings for Masters and Chief Mates on Ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/2), Training for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch on Ships of 500 Gross Tonnage or More (A-II/1), Training for Chief Engineer Officers and Second Engineer Officers on Ships Powered by Mail Propulsion Machinery of 300kW or More (A-III/2), Training for Officers In Charge of an Engineering Watch in Manned Engine Room or as Designated in a Periodically Unmanned Engine Room (A-III/1), and Training for Ratings Forming Part of a Watch in a Manned Engine Room or as Designated to Perform Duties in a Periodically Unmanned Engine Room (A-III/4). 

Photo shows (from L-R) Marc Robert, LPG Unit Director of Exmar; Bart Heylbroeck, Naval Architect Director of the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate-Flagstate; Katherine Avelino, PHILCAMSAT General Manager and Executive Director for Education and Professional Development; and Claude Maerten LNG Director of Exmar.