12 individuals within the BVI maritime industry were recently awarded certificates from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) following the completion of the College’s first Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Basic Safety Training Certification Course of 2022.
This was confirmed by the College in a media release on Wednesday January 26 which announced the relaunch of the course.
It said the course which spans one week was conducted in person at the Centre for Applied Marine Studies (CAMS) after all 12 persons and tutors were tested for COVID-19 prior to the commencement of classes.
Speaking on the importance of the course was HLSCC’s Maritime Programme Manager, Captain Martin Cherry who said, “STCW has helped establish accepted safety standards of training and certification for all seafarers.”
He added that the certification helps to ensure that a lateral standard of training is achieved across all countries of the world.
STCW is a part of a worldwide convention that was created to promote safety of life and property at sea and to protect the marine environment. It is a mandatory requirement for all mariners working on commercially licensed vessels in the British Virgin Islands.
New maritime instructor
The College also announced that their maritime programme welcomed new instructor Tony Barwell earlier this month.
It said, “Mr. Barwell, who holds an unlimited master license and previously worked for Princess Cruise Lines and Seabourn Cruise Lines, has on-deck work experience including extensive crew and cadet training and safety compliance. Mr. Barwell will work with the HLSCC Maritime Programme to help expand and improve the College’s Maritime training offerings.”
Dean of Workforce Training, Mrs. Marva Wheatley-Dawson expressed her excitement in welcoming Barwell to the team.
Head of Marine and Maritime Studies, Ms. Susan Zaluski added that the additional maritime instructor meant that the department could look to offer separate, additional STCW courses for those only needing refreshers soon.
The College said that STCW is currently offered monthly and asked that persons wishing to register for the course should contact 852-7167 (via WhatsApp) or fill out the online form at Maritime Training found online at https://hlscc.org/workforce-trainingdivision/maritime-training/.