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STAR Center Evaluated And Praised By AMO Members |
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By MICHAEL R. McKAY | |
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To AMO member Greg Rocheleau, STCW training at our union's RTM Simulation, Training, Assessment and Research Center was a professionally rewarding and personally satisfying experience. "The check-in was not a problem at all," Rocheleau wrote in a letter to the training center March 22. "The room that I stayed in was very nice. The courses that I attended and the instructors were exceptional." Rocheleau said he had never lost interest in the subject matter, and that he had "learned a lot" in the "informative" classes. "The overall impression that I had is that the training is of a high caliber," Rocheleau continued. "I was welcome, and it would be a good place to bring my family while I attended classes." Rocheleau also had some kind words for the Student Services staff, Terrell Lawson and Carolyn Solomon, whom he said were "very helpful in the scheduling." Also commenting in March was Nicholas Novick, who described six weeks of STCW certification at RTM STAR Center as "a training experience that exceeded all expectations." Novick added: "Without exception, every instructor was professional and competent, and each class went off without a single hitch. He, too, praised the Student Services office. "As an AMO 'newbie,' I came with my requisite bag of 100 dumb questions that had to be patiently answered," Novick wrote. "Beyond that, I saw them handle that office at the pace of New York air traffic controllers without ever breaking stride or losing their sense of humor." Such comments are gratifying, and they are also typical, as a sampling from critiques filed by union members demonstrates. For example, Susan McKenna offered this comment after completing the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense Course, or CBRD: "Good course, well presented and made interesting." Also commenting on CBRD was Andrew DeMetropolis, who noted: "Excellent lecture. Instructor was able to convey pertinent and interesting examples." William Wetzel, who completed Medical Care Person In Charge, described the instructors as "excellent, caring and knowledgeable." He added: "I am impressed by the entire program and feel that I have the skill to perform these skills at sea should the need arise." What impressed Wayne Archer the most about the Medical PIC 40-hour course was the section on sterilization, learning "to protect the patient and yourself." Archer added: "I think company officials should take this course so they can see the new equipment on the market. Both instructors were very helpful at all times." Jonathan Gagne was comfortable with the instructor-student ratio in the Fast Rescue Boat course. He found the course "enjoyable," but was especially impressed with the "hands-on" portion, which he said was "great." Richard Cherry II learned much from the in-water rescue during the FRB class, and he was pleased with the "A-1 accommodations." Radar Recert student Christopher Bartlett said no improvements were needed in the course, which Bartlett said provided "high quality training exercises." He, too, was pleased with his quarters, which had been refurbished since his earlier stay at STAR. But AMO members also use the evaluations to offer positive and constructive criticism, which is always welcome. Cherry, for example, recommended "more boat time offshore" for the FRB course. He and Gagne also suggested jet boats for the training. Wetzel suggested that study material in the Medical PIC course be cross-referenced to "corresponding sections in the International Medical Guide for Ships." Robert Fryett, who also took the 40-hour Medical PIC course, suggested new study texts with "improved index and glossary," a recommendation echoed by Richard Perry. One union member, David Sanchez-Navarro, even recommended that the training center acquire "cadavers to train on" in Medical PIC. Eddie Ellison recommended "more boat time" for FRB, and Steve Wilson suggested that students in the Lifeboatman class be reminded that "they need to study the book before the class." One AMO member, Duane Bennett, said the Instructor, Supervisor, and Assessor Qualification course offers "almost too much information for five days," but a longer course would be difficult to "arrange and justify," Bennett said. James White agreed, saying the course was "intense," with a large amount of "homework and preparation." But a two-week course "would be too long," White said. We appreciate such feedback, and we'll provide more in forthcoming issues. Meanwhile, I remind every AMO member and applicant for membership who has not yet acquired the appropriate STCW certification to do so immediately, either at RTM STAR Center in Dania Beach or Toledo, or at another approved training center under the cost reimbursement schedule approved by the Trustees of the American Maritime Officers Safety and Education Plan, which operates RTM STAR Centers and the Raymond T. McKay Centers for Advanced Maritime Officers' Training in Dania Beach and Toledo. Without documented proficiency in specific skills under STCW, you will not be allowed by the Coast Guard to sail on a ship leaving U.S. waters on or after Feb. 1, 2002, and the STCW requirements could soon be extended to include domestic service along the coasts, on the Great Lakes, and on inland waters. There is unrivaled opportunity ahead for AMO, and we want everyone positioned to take full advantage of it. |
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