Consistent to its annual appointment with the Greek Shipping community the Seagull Annual user Forum took place with great success on 20 October 2016 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel, with an audience of more than 120 attendees.

Mr. Ioannis Athanasopoulos, Managing Director of Seagull Maritime Greece

The Seagull User Meetings have been designed for the local shipping community to network and share their experiences with colleagues and friends. The meetings are open to all and are held in several maritime centers each year such as UK, Singapore, Germany, Cyprus, Norway, Japan, Philippines and of course Greece. The challenges of onboard training and distance learning are of great interest for the maritime industry offering certain advantages and cost savings. These trends were examined in the Seagull user meeting.

The attendees had the chance to discover opportunities from new Seagull software packages on E-learning, onboard training and assessment material, through interaction between speakers and participants.

Mr. Ioannis Athanasopoulos, Managing Director of Seagull Maritime Greece presented the speakers and gave the welcome address as well as a detailed update on Seagull’s latest developments in all aspects. Mr. Athanasopoulos stated that Seagull Maritime AS since its formation in 1996 has been delivering a full range of seafarer training, assessment and management tools to ensure that STCW requirements, IMO standards and industry requirements are met and exceeded on board vessels. It produces specialized E-learning software and Films used by well over 700 clients across the shipping industry, with more than 10000 vessels and office installations around the world. Seagull training services are supported by a network of offices worldwide with the headquarters in Norway and group branches in Germany, UK, Poland, Greece, Singapore , Japan and Hong Kong. Mr. Athanasopoulos pointed out that Seagull’s products are certified by DNV-GL, approved and accredited by flag states such as Norway, Bahamas, Cyprus and many others. Furthermore, after his welcome speech, he delivered presentation on the new Developments of the company. He referred to the company’s new released E-learning content and he presented new features of Seagull’s updated Administrative software (STA 4.0)

Capt. Evangelos Galanopoulos , Fleet Support Officer in S&Q Dept., “Eastern Mediterranean Maritime” based in Athens, presented the user’s view for the Seagull Training System and Crew Evaluation

System (CES). Eastern Mediterranean operates 26 Oil Tankers, 10 Containers & 27 Bulkers. Eastern Mediterranean started to use Crew Evaluation System in their offices (Greece / Philippines / Montenegro) since 2007 and Seagull’s e-learning material (CBT & Video) onboard vessels since early 2015. Among other benefits, he noted the frequent updates of CBT titles, the cost effectiveness, the immediate support and the positive approach by various third parties (Oil Majors, Port State, etc.).

Capt. Szymanski, Secretary General of InterManager delivered a presentation related to Fatigue Management and Paperless Ship topics. He referred to the very important factor of Sleepiness and Fatigue of seafarers. He suggested Fatigue Risk Management through Fatigue Risk Management Systems and “goal based approach” in order to keep motivation of seafarers in high level. Moreover, he referred to the concept of “Paperless Ship” and the initiate to ease seafarer’s workload by reducing amount of administrative work and help them to be more focus on priority and essential jobs (www.intermanager.org)

Mr. Torger Tau, Senior instructor in Courses Department spoke about existing Onboard & Distance courses and future plans. Seagull provides onboard courses which have been approved by major Flag States as well as distance courses which lead to respective diplomas. Another important discussed topic is ECDIS equipment specific training. Seagull has signed agreements and developed CBT modules for ECDIS training in cooperation with MARIS & Consilium as well as JRC, Kelvin Hughes, Tokyo Keiki, SAM/Wartsila. Mr. Tau referred to recently released Onboard/Distance Courses like “Enclosed Space Entry”, “Fatigue Management”, “Navigation in Ice”. Lastly, he presented total numbers of issued Certificates in 2015 and 2016 which reflect how well accepted is subject concept by Shipping Companies worldwide.

At the last session, Mr. George Hoyt, IMO Maritime Ambassador, FNI, Vice President Projects InterManager presented Solutions that Shipping Companies can participate. Benchmarking through KPI System which can boost company’s performance, Training of seafarers as well as shore based personnel and other various good practices can be applied and help Shipping Industry to face current challenges. Moreover, he introduced “Mona Lisa” project, a program co-financed by EU through which we will be able to have real time information for the whole transport chain. This will change maritime world, as he underlined. Lastly, he spoke about “Adopt a ship” Program, was initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber in 2006 to bring together the Elementary Schools and Seafarers on board CSC Members ships in order to provide a real world learning experience for elementary school children. 

The User Meeting closed with a cocktail reception which gave the opportunity for socializing and enjoyment by discussing/exchanging opinions on various issues of Maritime Industry!