As part of the STCW-compliant training company’s growth
plan,
Q3 Marine Training Solutions’ new lifeboat facility
north of Seattle has developed and is now offering an exportable component:
freefall lifeboat training.
Freefall lifeboats provide a means of escape in an
emergency, the Anacortes, Wash.-based company says, but their operation is
vastly different from more conventional lifeboats.
Q3’s freefall training programs are conducted on board utilizing
the ship’s freefall lifeboat. Designated crew receive training on how to take
charge of the boat in a freefall launch, as well as pre- and post- launch
procedures, boat handling and maneuvering. Personnel who may be passengers in a
freefall boat also receive realistic training.
“When training has been completed and a freefall launch
experienced, the ship’s crew quickly develops a confidence in the freefall
concept,” says Capt. Patrick Boyle of Q3 in a company press release.
New lifeboat technology works well when the crew has been
trained in its use, Q3 says. Familiarity with the equipment requires that
everyone is aware of how to safely deploy and use the lifeboat. Varying the
roles during the lifeboat drill is good training, Q3 notes, and allows for the
possibility that, in a real emergency, the designated crew may not be available
to launch the freefall lifeboat.
Training would be a lot simpler if there was a common
specification for lifeboats, Q3 says, but mariners often have to familiarize
themselves with different lifeboats and release hooks on every ship on which
they serve. Q3 says its freefall lifeboat training ensures the seafarers
competency while satisfying the STCW and SOLAS training requirements.