tream Marine Training (SMT) and Intelligent Seas Group (ISG) are joining forces to offer STCW and Flag State approved eLearning courses, accessible anywhere in the world.

SMT provides STCW short courses and is based at a campus in Glasgow Airport. Its instructors come from a range of maritime and military backgrounds, including Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and the British Army.

The company holds practical courses onsite and webinar courses online. This will be expanded in partnership with ISG to add eLearning courses to the portfolio, which can be completed at a time that suits the individual.

The courses are approved by the STCW and other relevant organising bodies and can be customised as required.

“This collaboration will allow seafarers to advance their skills with the use of up-to-date technology which is interactive and interesting,” said Group Operations Director at SMT, Katy Womersley.

“Through training online, in their own time, seafarers and shipping companies will be able to mitigate travel and accommodation costs and focus on developing their skills in a comfortable environment.”

OTTAWA, ON, June 15, 2022 /CNW/ – Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is working in partnership with Indigenous coastal communities to improve safety on the water. Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, announced $2 million in funding for ten communities through the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program to buy boats and related safety equipment.

The Canadian Coast Guard launched the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program in 2017, under the Oceans Protection Plan, to strengthen coastal communities’ capacity to participate in maritime search and rescue activities. Combined with training in search and rescue, the Program helps Indigenous communities in coastal areas become new members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Increasing local capacity to respond effectively to emergencies makes the waters near these communities safer for everyone.

A total of $2 million in funding has been provided to ten communities: Hamlet of Pangnirtung in Nunavut; Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations and Nisga’a Nation in British Columbia; Whitefish River First Nation and Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario; Cree Nation of Waskaganish in Quebec; MAWIW Council Inc. (representing Elsipogtog First Nation and Esgenoopetitj First Nation) in New Brunswick; We’koqma’q First Nation in Nova Scotia; and, Miawpukek First Nation and Makkovimuit Trust Incorporated (representing the Inuit communities of Nain and Makkovik) in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To date, 40 Indigenous coastal communities or organizations on all three coasts have received over $12 million in funding to buy or retrofit boats and related safety equipment. Under the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, the program will continue to help communities build, enhance, or sustain their capacity to respond to marine search and rescue incidents.

The Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. This national plan is creating a stronger marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coastlines and clean water for generations to come. This work is being done in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local stakeholders and coastal communities.

“Indigenous coastal community members play an important role in marine safety. They are often the first to arrive on the scene when incidents happen in remote coastal areas. Working together, the Canadian Coast Guard and Indigenous partners are making communities safer for all.”

The Honourable Joyce Murray Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“The Indigenous Community Boat Program has been a positive experience for Whitefish River First Nation and the Canadian Coast Guard’s commitment to our community’s safety is evident in the efforts of the staff involved in the program.”

Stephen McGregor, Marine Liaison Officer, Whitefish River First Nation

“Having resources and training to increase the ability to respond and keep our community safe is essential. We are a very remote community where traveling on the water is part of our daily lives. It is much appreciated that our community is receiving support from the Canadian Coast Guard and Coastal Nation Coast Guard Auxiliary.”

Steinar Våge, Project & Program Development, Ka:yu:’k’t’h’ / Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations

“The Community Boat Program has benefited the community greatly in a number of areas. The most obvious is having a vessel that is suitable for Coast Guard Auxiliary operations in our region that can help boaters in distress. This is a significant asset for us and we would not have been able to obtain a vessel and equipment like this without the program. The community is delighted to have participated and been successful when availing of the program. Secondly, the training that comes with our partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard. This training gives our auxiliary members an excellent skill set that equips them to play a key role as auxiliary members. The full menu of training that comes with the program is a big benefit to them not only for the Coast Guard Auxiliary but also from a personal and professional point of view.”

Shayne MacDonald, Miawpukek First Nation

“We’koqma’q First Nation is pleased to have a Canadian Coast Guard’s Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program here in the Unama’ki District. As well, very pleased with the recent funding of a new storage facility for the community vessel. The presence of this vessel and highly trained crew in We’koqma’q First Nation Area will provide reassurance to all boaters and vessel operators within the Bras D’or Lakes Area, if they need assistance.”

Bobby Gould, We’koqma’q First Nation

“Makkovik Inuit Community Government and the local Makkovik Ground Search and Rescue Team would like to send along our heartfelt thank you to the Nunatsiavut Government and the Canadian Coast Guard for their leadership that shows what working together for the betterment of our communities on the north coast of Labrador really can do. There is not only much more local marine traffic in our region but also much more private pleasure craft plying our waters from other regions. The local CCG Auxiliary members with this new 28ft rescue boat, local CCGA knowledge and training will supplement the CCG in our isolated and remote location in Canada with much quicker initial response to people in distress.”

Barry Andersen, AngajukKak Makkovik, Nunatsiavut, Newfoundland and Labrador

• The boats and other equipment bought under this program meet the standards of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and Transport Canada.
• In partnership with the Canadian Coast Guard, Indigenous communities, as members of the Auxiliary, provide marine search and rescue services, promote marine safety, and conduct coastal safety patrols.
• The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary is a national non-profit organization of 4,000 volunteer members with access to 1,100 vessels that boost the Government of Canada’s maritime search and rescue response capacity.
• The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary responds to approximately 25 per cent of maritime calls for assistance annually, providing an often life saving service.

• Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Program
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Protecting our Coasts – Oceans Protection Plan
• The Canadian Coast Guard at 60

• Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Canadian Coast Guard

Container ship MAERSK SURABAYA ran aground in Savannah river near Old Fort Jackson at around 2150 UTC Jun 14, while sailing upstream to Savannah Port, en route from Charleston. The ship was refloated 2 hours later with several tugs assistance, resumed moving and was berthed at 0150 UTC Jun 15. No reports on damages and oil leaks.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports

Chemical tanker MARITIME POLARIS contacted berthed unidentified cargo ship, most probably bulk carrier, at Sudan Port, Sudan, on Jun 13. Tanker entered port and was proceeding to berth, when accident occurred. Both ships sustained some damages, believed to be slight. Accident took place hours after livestock carrier disaster AL BADRI 1 at Suakin Port, Sudan.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports

Bulk carrier OMICRON NIKOS struck pier at Santos Port, Brazil, at around noon Jun 13, understood while shifting berths. The ship is said to be loaded with 71,000 tons of sugar, reportedly she didn’t suffer serious damages, though damages assessment is still under way, to assess ship’s seaworthiness. Bulk carrier remains berthed as of morning Jun 14. She was docked at Santos on Jun 10, arriving from Vietnam via Singapore.

New FleetMon Vessel Safety Risk Reports

Italian oilfield services firm Saipem has confirmed it has recently been awarded a limited notice to proceed (LNTP) by BW Offshore, for the early-stage engineering services for the supply of an FPSO unit to be supplied to Shell for the development of the Gato do Mato field offshore Brazil.

The oil and gas field is located around 200 km offshore Brazil in the Santos Basin, in water depths of around 2,000 meters.

The LNTP is valued at up to $50 million. Saipem’s share is worth approximately $25 million.

Upon completion of the LNTP, Shell and its partners target to award a lease and operate contract which will include the award of the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of the FPSO to a consortium between Saipem and BW Offshore, with expected delivery in 2026.

“The award is subject to the parties finalising the commercial and pricing terms of the contract in view of the current inflationary supply chain market and a final investment decision to proceed by Shell and its partners,” Saipem said.

BW Offshore has previously said that the FPSO lease and operate contract would have a firm period of 18 years with seven years of options.

The company said it would replicate the Barossa project model, bringing in equity partners, and “take it one step further by partnering with Saipem for the EPCI phase to add execution capacity and capabilities.”

House appropriators want the Navy to keep five Littoral Combat Ships but will allow the service to decommission four, according to text of the Fiscal Year 2023 defense spending bill.
The legislation, released today by the House Appropriations Committee, would complicate the Navy’s plans to decommission nine Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships next year.

The bill “directs a report on alternate uses of these vessels, such as missions in the [U.S. Southern Command] and [U.S. Africa Command] areas of responsibility; and permits the decommissioning of four ships, which would also allow the Navy and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to explore the possibility of transferring them to partner nations,” according to a summary from the committee.

Seeking to defend the Navy’s push to decommission the LCSs, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday last month proposed to lawmakers that the service evaluate transferring the ships to countries in South America.

The effort to retire the Freedom variant ships follows two major issues that have affected the class: a problem with the combining gear that marries the gas turbines to the diesel engines and the Navy’s struggle to field the anti-submarine warfare package for the LCS Mission Module on the Freedom hull. Earlier this year the Navy said it would axe the ASW mission for the LCS.

House appropriators largely met the Biden administration’s request, allotting $762 billion in defense spending.

The lower chamber’s bill would allot $27.8 billion for the Navy to buy the eight ships it asked for in the FY 2023 request, including two Virginia-class attack submarines, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, one Constellation-class frigate, one San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, one T-AO-205 John Lewis-class oiler and one T-ATS 6 Navajo-class towing, salvage and rescue ships.

The House Appropriations Committee’s summary of the legislation noted the panel did not include any research and development funding for the low-yield Sea-Launched Cruise Missile, a program that has become controversial in the last year. Some Republican lawmakers have voiced support for the program, known as SLCM, as have Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher Grady and U.S. Strategic Command chief Adm. Chas Richard. But House Democrats, including House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) have voiced opposition to the program’s development.

As for aircraft procurement, House appropriators allotted funding for the Navy to buy the five MQ-9A Reapers the Marine Corps sought and 12 CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopters. The Navy asked for 10 CH-53Ks for the Marine Corps in its budget submission. It also appropriates money for five E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, meeting the Navy’s request.

It’s unclear where HASC will come down on the LCS decommissionings. The HASC seapower and projection forces subcommittee punted the issue to the chairman’s mark, which the committee will release next week. But some HASC lawmakers have criticized the Navy’s proposal, noting the LCSs have years of service life left.

The Navy’s FY 2023 budget request sought to decommission a total of 24 ships, including the 9 LCSs, but met swift criticism in Congress.

The HASC seapower and projection forces subcommittee’s mark of the defense policy bill would mandate the Navy keep four Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships – USS Germantown (LSD-42), USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44), USS Tortuga (LSD-46) and USS Ashland (LSD-48) – and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG-69), which is nearing the end of a modernization overhaul. All five ships were on the Navy’s FY 2023 decommission list.