Training
Captain's Command & Control
Course
Command and Control Training Course
ABOUT THE COURSE

West Nautical will be hosting its annual Command and Control Training Course on the 15th-17th October 2024.

Designed specifically for those who possess a STCW Reg A-II/2 Master (Yacht) 3000GT or above, the training programme will be run in association with South Shields Marine School

The first two days will be spent in a 360-degree bridge simulator at the Marine School, where delegates will be put through a series of scenarios with the aim of improving bridge team resource management and emergency response. The simulated vessels are motor yachts between 40M and 90M in length, with realistic handling characteristics.

The third day we continue on from the previous 2 days in the college with classroom seminars incorporating real-time incident investigations with a maritime lawyer and casualty surveyor. First introduced to the course in 2019 with fantastic feedback, we are delighted to be joined by an expert surveyor and lawyer from Butterworth Marine who will conduct a simulated incident investigation and trial with the Captain, using real scenarios they witnessed during the previous day in the simulator, using all the evidence they collected to support their case.

West Nautical have developed the simulated scenarios to be superyacht-specific and crew-focused to ensure that delegates gain valuable experience in a realistic environment.

Previous Command and Control Training Course attendees have dealt with situations that have included crew altercations, fires, collisions, distress situations and the rescuing of persons from the water, all whilst dealing with the demands of guests and crew.

Following each simulator session, a debrief takes place where delegates can analyse the actions taken and the responses to the scenarios to allow them to identify any learning points that can be taken back and put into practice on board.

The West Nautical yacht management team are also put through their paces, playing an integral part in the scenarios: dealing with Captains via telephone and testing their own emergency response plans, adapting to the actions of the Captains performance during their training scenarios.

With only a limited number of spaces available this course provides a fantastic opportunity for Captains to network, update their skills and acquire new knowledge to implement once back on board. A series of evening entertainment will also be arranged in some of Newcastle’s finest restaurants.

“The simulator training was fantastic. These types of training exercises are a must for us as Captains, I felt I learnt a lot from particular scenarios and incidents that were given to us. We forget from time to time that these things can happen and we need to have this type of training to refresh us and remind us of what practice we put in place when we are on our own yachts."

“I have worked for large management companies for over 13 years in the industry and I have not ever been offered this type of training before, I will be highly recommending this to other Captains to join next year”

Captain Jean-Marc Bitouzet -


“The experience of total immersion in the bridge and the scenario roles put together by the West Nautical team makes you learn really quickly because the immersion of the stress is more than you would learn in a year at sea on the bridge.

If you can do it, do it! I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”

Captain Dean Pilatti -

“As a captain, it gives you a level of training we’re not able to do on board. The simulator provides the setting for training command and control emergency scenarios. We have simulated real emergencies much better than being able to do on board.

I’d highly recommend it as an additional course beyond the requirements as an excellent tool and learning process for an experienced Master.”

Captain Will Kaye -

For further information on the West Nautical Captain’s Command and Control course or to sign up contact training@westnautical.com or call +44 191 478 9920. You can view the course's FAQs & additional feedback from former participants below.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ's

Who should apply

This course has been designed for experienced superyacht captains or Chief Officers holding a valid Master 3000GT license or above who are looking for simulated command experience prior to taking their first command.


When is the next course?

The course runs every October, next taking place on the 15th-17th October 2024


How many Captains will attend?

A minimum of six and maximum of twelve delegates will operate in teams of no more than three.


Where is the course?

The simulator used for the course is located at the South Shields Marine School near Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England.


Are there any minimum entry qualifications?

All delegates must hold a valid STCW Reg A-II/2 Master (Yacht) 3000GT or above qualification.


What are the fees?

£1,500.00 plus VAT per person + accommodation fees (see below)


What is included in the fee?

The fee is fully inclusive of local transport, lunch and evening meals and entertainment.


What accommodation is provided?

All delegates are accommodated in a 4* hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne, breakfast is included. West Nautical shall provide all local transportation including to and from the Marine School.

The course fee does not include accommodation, which West Nautical shall book on the delegate's behalf at a discounted rate of £95.00 per room per night.


What do I need to bring with me?

Just yourself and your enthusiasm - everything else will be provided!


How do I apply?

Please email training@westnautical.com to register your interest and we will send you the course application form.

TESTIMONIALS
PREVIOUS DELEGATES
Luka Pesa
Chris Durham
Brad Dines
Mike Carr
Paul Bladon
Iain MacSween
Mike Hitch
Jean-Marc Bitouzet
Richard Goche
Toby Harris
John Parmenter
George Koklanakis
Johan Duyck
Dudley Hooper
Dean Pilatti
Daniel George
Will Kaye
Hefin Rowlands
MN Training Board
Piers French
Nigel Bigwood
Daniel Hodgson
Hefin Rowlands
Martin Mavrodiev
Craig Thurlbourn
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