In early July, four pilots from Buckeye Bahamas terminal and four tug masters from Kotug Seabulk Maritime participated in a comprehensive combined pilot and tug master training at SCI’s Center for Maritime Education in Houston, Texas. During the session, the pilots operated various classes of tankers, from Handymax to VLCC, while the tug masters assisted the pilots and were trained to manage their ASD and Rotor Tugs more effectively. They were engaged in interactive training sessions and emergency drills during vessel arrivals and departures at the offshore marine terminal, as well as arrivals on Buckeye’s jetty within the inner harbor.

Two experts from KOTUG’s Training & Consultancy arm, Capt. Waldo de Waal (Tugmaster) and Capt. Jan Frans van den Hoek (Retired Rotterdam senior pilot), provided professional tug training and operational pilotage expertise to demonstrate enhanced port safety and efficiency. SCI personnel generated the custom Bahamas database, facilitated the training by operating simulators, and developed the simulations.

SIMULATOR TRAINING IN ACTION — Watch a sample of some sped-up training sessions between ship pilots and tug masters for this integrated program based in Freeport, Bahamas. In these simulations, each vessel is operated by mariners in different bridge rooms, communicating with each other and the control room.

This program underscores CME’s determination to innovate, meet customer needs, and our overarching commitment to mariners and maritime safety. “We are always excited for such opportunities,” noted CME Director Capt. Stephen Polk. “For inland and near-coastal operations, ships and boats work closely and constantly interact. Anytime we can get pilots and masters together and run hyper-accurate scenarios like these, it’s a win for maritime safety. And we thank Buckeye Partners and KOTUG for their trust in us, for their sustained and strong partnership, and for their dedication to training.”