PMI Provides "Emergency Readiness Training" for Sause Bros. Towing

Published Aug 25, 2006 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

Seattle, Washington- Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) and Sause Brothers Towing are continuing their strategic training agenda with the development of a simulation training program for emergency situations. The two-day training sessions are being offered twice a month throughout 2006. PMI will utilize its new tugboat simulator, which has been integrated with its Full-Mission Ship Simulator (FMSS) for more versatile training. “Sause Bros. is the first West Coast towing company to focus on Emergency Readiness training with the Institute,” said Gregg Trunnell, Director of PMI. “Sause Bros. has employed simulators for its crew training programs since 1993 and the organization will be the first to use the new integrated tugboat and full mission simulators. “In fact, it was a commitment from Sause Bros. that prompted our investment in a tugboat simulator”. The Emergency Readiness Training program includes response to engine and steering failures, personal injury incidents, and procedures for dealing with critical equipment failures such as radar, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and Gyro Compass. PMI has purchased and incorporated a Furuno 2127 ARPA display in the Simulator for a four-hour Furuno 2127 Radar training session to familiarize crews with new equipment that will be installed on all Sause Bros. vessels. Sause Bros. uses simulator training to improve retention of its crews, improve communications within the crews and between the company and the crews, build on skills that enhance safety and reinforce a safety culture. Past training programs for Sause Bros. have included AIS, ECS, TOAR Designated Examiner and Tug and Barge Handling. New programs under development include CEMS Awareness, TOAR Simulation Assessment, Advanced Bridge Resource Management for towboat operators and a Z-Drive Course for every skill level. For more information on PMI’s new Tugboat Simulator for crew training or any other courses offered at the Institute, please contact Gregg Trunnell at (206) 719-2801 or via email at [email protected]. You may also visit PMI’s website at http://www.mates.org, where you will find the latest course schedule and descriptions.