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Videotel , MTS to Simplify US Port State Control Alisha Beckham, Supervisory Agriculture Specialist for USA Customs and Border Protection, exam- ines a vessel for Asian Gypsy Moth during the filming of the new US Port State Control training video. Despite the crucial importance of Port StateControl to the wellbeing of the seafarer, vessel and the environment, it is often viewed as a necessary evil by many seafar- ers. Yet a knowledge of policies and proce- dures, and a properly prepared ship andcrew, can ensure a satisfactory outcome for all parties.To address this issue Videotel, a producer of maritime safety training software and Mar- itime Training Services (MTS) have com- bined to produce a new training program on US Port State Control.The concept for the creation of the new pro- gram was inspired by personal experience. Matt Gasparich, Managing Director at Mar- itime Training Services says, ?Recently our film crew rode from Vancouver to Seattle on board a containership and personally ex- perienced the US Port State process. We compared it with our original program produced in 1996 and instantly knew this was the time to update it.? At the same time in London, Videotel?s CEO, Nigel Cleave, was thinking along similar lines. ?We were delighted to have the opportunity to combine expertise and resources with MTS,? he said. ?This part- nership enables us to offer a new and updated approach to US Port State Control that will benefit ship owners, ship managers and seafarers the world over.? The joint team worked together to produce a program which covers all the very latest US Port State Con- trol procedures. In particular, the US Department of Homeland Security?s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration and agricultural inspections were a primary focus and MTS was given the opportunity to follow CBP officers on a real agricultural inspection and immigration procedure.? CBP was a fantastic partner for us in producing this new program,? adds Matt Gasparich. ?They are committed to educating seafarers about new policies and procedures and were very open with the way crews could prepare for the examinations.? The program covers the US Coast Guard inspection process, following a team of inspectors through a typ- ical boarding with Coast Guard commentary on the best way to prepare ships and crews for inspection. The programme is available on Videotel?s VOD system and for purchase world-wide from MTS. Email: [email protected] FEATURE TRAINING & EDUCATION 68Maritime Reporter & Engineering News Screenshot from new US Port State Control Training program from Maritime Training Services and Videotel MR March 12 # 9 (65-72):MR Template 3/6/2012 12:38 PM Page 68