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.
