The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE opening of a maritime training centre in Freeport should put to rest concerns raised over the lack of training available for 
marine pilots in the Bahamas.

In April, Nick Cutmore, Secretary General of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA), and Erin Ferguson, of the Bahamas Maritime Pilots’ Association (BMPA), claimed that marine pilots in Grand Bahama were lacking proper training. Mr Ferguson felt that lack of training would affect port safety at the busy Freeport Harbour.

Mr Cutmore indicated that marine pilots are required to receive ongoing training and was “shocked” to learn that some of them had not been on a training course for five years.

He said many cruise ships use complex control systems and electronic charts that pilots must know how to operate. “Piloting a ship is not like learning to drive a car. Shipping is a dynamic business and people need training on all these new technologies,” he added.

Last month, Svitzer Americas opened a Regional Training Centre to provide simulator training for harbour pilots and captains. The training facility will serve to provide training not just for Bahamians, but also for others in the region.

“We expect the simulator will greatly benefit operations at Freeport Harbour by allowing continuous training of pilots and captains in many possible conditions of operations,” said Marinus Lorwa, Svitzer’s Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Lorwa said the centre would also offer training to pilots in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.