Page 36: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Q2 2014)

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LNG & RISK

The 45-hour bunkering course for Harvey’s LNG bunker- ing persons-in-charge (PIC) will be offered ahead of any U.S.

Coast Guard regulations governing LNG bunkering. Beyond

Doyle’s qualifi cations and industry participation, MSI itself has extensive experience in full-featured tugboat operations teach- ing and is applying its simulator expertise to LNG bunkering.

LNG Bunkering 101

As MSI prepares to roll out its version of LNG Bunkering

Training – the fi rst such offering in the United States – course content will be developed on the dual-fuel propulsion system and the Harvey Gulf International Marine vessel and termi- nal designs. Eventually, the course will be ABS and DNV GL certifi ed – both organizations are coming in June to ‘vet’ the course. In a unique arrangement that involves a partnership be- tween engine OEM Wärtsilä, Harvey Gulf International, and the Massachusetts Firefi ghting Academy, course participants will also get the benefi t of fi ghting LNG fi res at one of the few institutions set up to do so. And, it was this 1-2 punch that was so attractive to Harvey Gulf, says Harvey Gulf’s Executive

Vice President Alaska & LNG Operations, Chad Verret.

Risk and Real Life Operations

Probably no one has more to lose if things do not go right than

Harvey Gulf International Marine. The leader and also fi rst out of the gate in terms of LNG as a fuel in North America, they also have an enviable safety track record to protect and build upon. According to Harvey Gulf’s Chad Verret, the decision to choose MSI for this fi rst-of-a-kind training was not made light- ly. But MSI, in business since 1981, also has deep roots in simu- lator knowhow and will leverage that in its new LNG bunkering offering. Indeed, MSI’s client list already reads like a ‘who’s- who’ of marine LNG operators and stakeholders.

Verret told MarPro in May that there would be no corners cut on the way to a safe and fully compliant dual fuel opera- tion for his fi rm. “Every person that needs to respond to an emergency – on some boats, that might mean a cook, on oth- ers, it might not – will get this training.” He added, “We’ll have 6 vessels involving 9 to 10 crews, plus safety and certain offi ce/shore personnel. It’ll eventually involve over 100 peo- ple.” Also according to Verret, the course adheres to recom- mendations from IMO and the U.S. Coast Guard, is designed to provide competencies and employs a proprietary Wärtsilä designed simulation system. “As things evolve even further, we will ramp up to meet those requirements,” he said.

Verret insists, “LNG bunkering training is different than

LNG PIC training. PIC training doesn’t involve fi refi ght- ing.” As for why Harvey Gulf chose MSI – over many other well-respected training institutions – he explained that the new course was born from collaboration, not marketing. “We wanted the LNG fi refi ghting – there are only two places na- tionwide that give it – and the Massachusetts Fire Academy was close by. There, in conjunction with the LNG bunkering course, students will get fi refi ghting training. Most students will get the basic course. Licensed deck and engine personnel will get the advanced course, too.” ” “

This [CTAC] working group was asked to identify gaps in current Coast Guard policy and regulation on the design, installation and operation of natural gas fueled systems for propulsion of commercial vessels and the design of novel vessels carrying or processing natural and compressed gas vessels. The working group also has been selected to develop acceptable design criteria to fi ll those gaps.

Margaret Kaigh Doyle, Vice President, MSI 36 I Maritime Professional I 2Q 2014 34-49 Q2 MP2014.indd 36 5/16/2014 2:55:59 PM