USMRC: LNG bunkering PIC course a total success

July 15, 2014

The U.S. Maritime Resource Center’s Maritime Simulation Institute said that its inaugural Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering Person in Charge (PIC) course was a huge success.

The course, which ran July 7-11, was developed on behalf of Harvey Gulf International Marine as it prepares to launch its first dual-fuel offshore supply vessel intended to run primarily on liquefied natural gas.

To accommodate future demand, USMRC is adding similar courses every month for the remainder of 2014. They will be offered as follows:

August 18-22
September 8-12
October 13-17
November 10-14
December 1-5

The course is taught by subject matter experts with extensive hands-on LNG experience. The course, which is being offered ahead of any United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations governing LNG bunkering, was developed in accordance with the draft amendments to Chapter V of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) that have been approved by the International Maritime Organization. The course also aligns with recent policy guidance on LNG bunkering issued by the USCG.

The LNG Bunkering PIC course was developed in close collaboration with the flammable gas subject matter expert and LNG safety and emergency response instructors at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) located in nearby Stow, Mass. The course includes live LNG firefighting and practical emergency response drills at the MFA.

USMRC’s Maritime Simulation Institute also leveraged its significant experience using simulation to incorporate an LNG bunkering simulation component to the course. An LNG bunkering simulator was provided by Wärtsilä for this purpose.

In addition to Harvey Gulf personnel who attended the inaugural LNG Bunkering PIC course, the session also was audited by USCG marine inspectors and representatives from the USCG’s Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise and the American Bureau of Shipping.

USMRC also is in the process of developing other maritime training and education programs for the industry on subjects relating to the emerging use of low flash point fuels as marine fuel.

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Press Release, July 15, 2014; Image: USMRC