HOTA (Humberside Offshore Training Association Ltd) and McAusland & Turner Ltd have joined forces to create a bespoke Vessel Familiarization Course utilizing the facilities at HOTA’s Albert Dock site in Hull.
Established in 1888, McAusland & Turner is the oldest Marine Surveying and Consulting firm in continuous operation in the Port of Hull. The company set up the three day Vessel Familiarization Course in 1994, with an aim of providing people working within the marine industry the opportunity to visit working vessels trading in today’s world. Throughout the 17-year course history, over 500 national and international delegates have attended training.
McAusland & Turner approached HOTA in 2011 to discuss collaboration with the aim of adding realism to possible scenarios. HOTA’s Albert Dock is home to a wide range of lifeboats, rescue boats and davit systems making it possible to offer flexible and diverse training for all sectors. The additions to the course provide office based staff involved in the Marine Industry with a real life feel of how things can go wrong on the ships that they insure with a variety of practical exercises including a vessel abandonment exercise. This year’s program of courses, in collaboration with HOTA, has proved a hit and places for the remainder of the year have already sold out.