Yacht crew training during refits: Expert tips

Offered By Clear Blue Sky Video
  • Ted Fitzgerald
  • Managing Director
  • +44 751 299 8351

Crewing up and training during refit

How do I get my crew up to speed with training, competency and high standards in a cost and time effective manner during refit?

Long Refits are always tricky times for senior crew and management as they seek to keep up levels of safety and competence whilst working with reduced numbers, and then bring on new members when the relaunch date draws near.

Training of new crew often gets put back and sometimes becomes on the job training as the vessel sets sail, which is not an ideal situation. Obviously the COVID-19 crisis has made this more difficult.

training video

However at Clear Blue Sky as part of the Superyacht Training Group we are developing several approaches to help combat this.

1. The COVID-19 crisis has brought video conferencing via Zoom to the fore much more.

We are developing this to provide online distance learning via laptops, crew mess screens and other devices so that on-board crew during a refit can refer to several topics, often very specific to the boat. They will be able to go through a structured training package with video instruction about the types of procedures on board with our on-screen trainers.

Topics are based on the successful on-board training sessions delivered by STG and can include; Firefighting, Casualty Evacuation, Working Aloft, Crew Familiarization, Heli Ops, Security, Interior, Command & Control, Tender Launching, Alcohol and Drugs Policy and more.

This can often include pre-recorded footage from our recent training videos on board the yacht or similar types.

fire safety

2. Bearing in mind that the majority of new crew joining the boat will not be senior and therefore less experienced, this online approach is also relevant to them so that they can become familiar with the layout of the yacht, changes to the original vessel, systems and procedures using our VR and AR capability with Anchor VR. Crew Profiling using NASA-based technology, for successful team building, is also part of the discussion here.

3. With VR, video and AR, crew will be able to walk about, explore, examine and experience the new vessels and maybe even add to procedures and layout discussions prior to stepping on board.

navigation chart

4. This approach helps prepare the ground for new and existing crew during a refit and cuts down on training time on board. It also goes hand-in-hand with on-site, on-board training using our STG team prior to launch to put into practice what has already been learned.

So, when the owner and the yard are pushing to get the boat operating and out to sea, the Blended Learning approach with video, graphics, live on-screen instruction, VR/AR, and hands-on training experience can help train new and existing crew in a cost effective and timely fashion so that the yacht can go to sea in safe manner.

Everyone wants to know that they are in safe hands.

safety demonstration

About this expert

Clear Blue Sky Video provides superyacht safety videos and crew training videos. You can find them at most boat shows in the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia and Caribbean.

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