The course gave people a chance to enjoy the company of other like minded people and make friends and contacts. However, the serious nature of fire on board a vessel was never far from their minds. Participants on the course learned the theory of fire prevention, inspection and maintenance, fire detection, fire safety guidelines and fire fighting.
By experiencing real fire fighting, the group got invaluable experience of real fire situations. Not all fires demand the same action to control them, so during practical sessions, participants learned and carried out the various fire fighting techniques required for different areas of ships and types of fires. These included engine rooms, holds, decks and electrical fires to name but a few. Advanced use of breathing apparatus was taught along with essential search and rescue techniques.
During the course, the importance of working as a team in an emergency was highlighted. Learning to take command and to control emergency situations cannot be underestimated. During this part of the course, the group worked extremely well together. They learned how to pull together, take orders, give people responsibilities and help each other to save the crew, a must for seafarers who have designated fire safety responsibilities at sea.
Every person who wants to work at sea must complete STCW ’95 Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting. It is a mandatory requirement set down by the International Maritime Organisation for all seafarers involved in commercial maritime activities. It is a three day course which must be renewed every five years. The course is designed to give people experience of basic theory and fire fighting on board vessels. It is also a pre-requisite for doing the five day STCW ’95 Advanced Marine Fire Fighting Course. The five day STCW ‘95 Advanced Marine Fire Fighting Course is aimed at seafarers who are designated to control fire fighting operations. This course places emphasis on organisation, tactics and command.
CMSE have organised Basic and Advanced Marine Fire Fighting Courses during the upcoming summer months.
