Svitzer perfecting the challenge of tugboat training

CONTROLLING a tug while safely manoeuvring a heavy vessel in the confines of a port requires a great deal of training and skill. 

Svitzer, which operates tug bases on both sides of Australia, has developed the state-of-the-art maritime training at Fremantle and Newcastle required to train tugboat Masters to the highest degree. 

In celebration of the tugboat Masters Svitzer Australia has trained, it is releasing a series of videos, the first of which, appropriately, is on National Seafarers Day. 

Svitzer Australia’s  Chief Operating Officer, David Phillips said Svitzer has invested significantly in facilities at both its Fremantle and Newcastle tug bases, providing state-of-the-art maritime training across both its East and West Coast operations in Australia. 

“These facilities give our professional, expert crew access to world-class technology, the ability to train in complex operations, emergency scenarios and collaborate with Pilots, port users and regulatory authorities,” Mr Phillips said. 

“The video series show new (although experienced Masters from other ports), undergoing the training and familiarisation needed to be signed off to operate in a new port.  

“More than anything the video series provides a unique insight into the highly technical and safety conscious world of towage and operations on the water that not many people get to see.” 

Mr Phillips said Svitzer’s simulators and training environment provides for real-time learning. If something goes to plan on the water, that can be replayed almost immediately in the simulator, and vice versa if errors are made. 

“It provides a safe and hyper-realistic learning environment to practice manoeuvres and operations in the training centre before heading out on the water.   

“The video series celebrates the skills and expertise of our crew – which took many years of personal sacrifice and commitment to build – and we will also expect the videos to provide an exciting engagement tool to attract new people to the maritime industry.” 

Svitzer’s training centres include simulation suites, which include a 360-degree simulator configured as a tug bridge and a 180-degree ship’s bridge simulator. They also have training rooms. 

The facilities are a game changer in terms of training crew, interacting with pilots, working with AMSA and as new stakeholders come to the port. 

Svitzer also offers training for Masters in the new TRAnsverse tugs – which function differently to conventional vessels. 

It exerts force in a very different way, with multiple positions and manoeuvres that haven’t been possible in tugs before. 

The TRAnsverse tugs bring a new level of safety, manoeuvrability and efficiency, while at the same time providing towage capabilities that previously weren’t possible. 

Svitzer Australia operates in 28 ports and terminals across Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

Internationally, it has been providing maritime services since 1833. 

It has a fleet of more than 100 vessels, including tugboats and specialised marine craft and employs around 1000 people making it Australia’s biggest maritime workforce.