VT Flagship aids cruise ships to keep afloat

VT Flagship's bespoke damage control training for cruise ship crew culminates in three days using HMS Raleigh’s sinking ship simulator.

Two instructors from VT Flagship (Hamish Byrne and Peter Cross) began 2009 by delivering a bespoke damage control training package to personnel from the Carnival Corporation (whose portfolio includes Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises, Cunard Line plus others).

While it is not statutory for commercial shipping crew to be trained in damage control, for example shoring up breeches from collision or running aground, it is certainly sensible. VT Flagship, drawing on its partnering arrangement with the Royal Navy, is eminently placed to design and deliver bespoke training packages to suit any requirement.

Eight of Carnival’s Fleet Safety Instructors undertook an intensive three day course at HMS Raleigh, Cornwall delivered jointly by VT Flagship and Royal Navy personnel. As well as classroom based learning, the damage control training focused on wet and dry runs on Havoc, HMS Raleigh’s purpose built simulator. The simulator was originally designed to instruct Royal Navy (RN) personnel on how to deal with a ship holed by enemy attack, and now with VT Flagship’s partnering arrangement with the RN, can be utilised for commercial companies and international navies.

The simulator, hydraulically operated, sways from side-to-side while water pours in through bulkhead holes. Students work together to stem the flow of water through the breaches in the hull using wooden wedges and hammers. They must then shore up the bulkheads with timber to re-establish the water-tight integrity of the ship.

The training at HMS Raleigh complemented previous training delivered in 2008 onboard Carnival’s Star Princess, where VT Flagship instructors ran practical hands-on sessions with damage control equipment to 40 of the 1,500 crew over a period of ten days.  The instructors joined the ship in Valparaiso, Chile and put the damage control team  through their paces below decks while the 2,500 plus passengers relaxed,  enjoying the scenery of the Falkland Islands.

The type of challenges that cruise ships might face at sea (including icebergs, loose containers, running aground, collision and piracy) make it vital that crew have the necessary equipment and experience in place to be able to remedy any damage. As well as training the crew, VT Flagship’s instructors also advised Star Princess on the practicalities of emergency equipment (such as location, quantity, type and usage).

Senior Fleet Safety instructor for Carnival, Peter Rixon, said:  “This training has been very valuable.  We have all learned so much and, of all the courses we’ve done, this has given us the most knowledge and been most enjoyable.”

Hamish Byrne, VT Flagship instructor, said: “As well as delivering a presentation to the Captain and deck officers onboard Star Princess to enhance their knowledge of damage control, we worked the crew very hard to ensure their effectiveness in an emergency. There are over 45 different nationalities on board which made translation challenging, however, we are confident that we have left Princess Star in excellent hands.
“The Fleet Safety team for Carnival are committed to spreading their knowledge amongst their crews, and thoroughly enjoyed the training.”