The United States Maritime Resource Center said that its training partner, Harvey Gulf International Marine, recently launched the OSV Harvey Energy, the first LNG-fueled vessel to enter service in North America.
In March, the OSV Harvey Energy began working on charter to Shell in the Gulf of Mexico shortly after the vessel’s first successful LNG bunkering operation.
Middletown, R.I.-based USMRC developed the LNG bunkering safety training course for Harvey Gulf in 2014 as it prepared to launch its first dual-fuel offshore supply vessel, USMRC said in a statement.
USMRC/MSI is the first organization in the United States to offer a five-day advanced training program for personnel serving on vessels using gas fuels that have direct responsibility for the care and use of LNG fuel and the gas fuel systems. The course pre-dates the establishment of U.S. Coast Guard regulations governing LNG bunkering, and even the release of policy guidance letters. USMRC is also in the final stages of developing a basic LNG fuels course for other mariners working aboard these vessels that have designated safety and emergency response duties associated with the handling of LNG marine fuels.
“USMRC’s LNG bunkering PIC (Person in Charge) course is unique in that it offers practical demonstrations, exercises and assessments using a high fidelity LNG bunkering system simulation tool based on the Wärtsilä LNGPac system,” said USMRC President Brian T. Holden . “This is the same system that will be installed on Harvey Gulf’s LNG-fueled vessels.”
Another practical component of the course is that students also must complete a full day of LNG emergency response and firefighting course at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Participants don a complete fireman’s outfit and employ various techniques for vapor control and fire extinguishing using actual LNG cryogenic material in intensive scenarios, including LNG pool and flange fires.
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Image: Harvey Energy