Computer-based training for Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 will help secure crew competence and ballast water treatment compliance
To help customers manage the challenge of keeping crews updated and trained, Alfa Laval is introducing Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 Computer-Based Training (CBT), the company said in its press release.
Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 CBT is an online/offline training tool that serves as a complement to crew training on board or at training centres. Combining self-study, a 3D computer simulator and a final self-assessment, it allows masters and crews to become familiar with the components of Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 and the basics of its operation. The training is available 24/7 and can be incorporated into existing e-learning portfolios and certification programmes.
Both IMO and the USCG have made clear that training and education must cover ballast water management practices and the specifics of the ballast water treatment system.
In its annual report for 2017, the USCG noted that many of the growing number of compliance deficiencies can be traced back to crew knowledge and training.
The report states:
The lack of familiarity and training regarding the use of a BWMS, maintenance of the BWM plan specific for the vessel, and implementation of a BWM strategy were found to be a common trend with the deficiencies identified. In some cases, the Coast Guard found that the BWMS was only used during voyages to the U.S. and that crews received little or no training in operating and maintaining the system. For a BWMS to operate reliably, it must be used regularly and in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
The report also makes clear the potential consequences of crew failure. “The Coast Guard will continue to be fair and reasonable as these systems are put in service, but vessels must comply with U.S. ballast water management regulations,” it states. “Noncompliance could lead to significant vessel delays and penalties.”
PureBallast 3 CBT will make it easier to determine, improve and maintain crew competence levels with regard to ballast water treatment, so that ship owners and operators can feel confident in adhering to IMO and USCG legislation.
The training package begins with self-study about the problem of invasive species and ballast water management, as well as PureBallast 3 components and operation. This knowledge can then be strengthened using the 3D simulator, which gives crew members a practical familiarity with PureBallast 3 and its integration with the vessel’s piping and tanks. Trainees can explore and operate the computer-simulated PureBallast 3 system, learning how to start processes and attend to alarms.
The training concludes with a self-assessment, consisting of randomized questions that cover both ballast water management in general and PureBallast 3 specifically. The assessment provides a clear picture of crew skills, which are documented in a printed training report.
About Alfa Laval PureBallast
PureBallast, which was the first commercially available ballast water treatment solution, is a chemical-free technology sold and serviced by Alfa Laval. A vital component of PureBallast is the enhanced UV reactor, which was developed jointly by Alfa Laval and Wallenius Water based on Wallenius Water technology. All PureBallast systems are available with both IMO and U.S. Coast Guard type approvals.
About Alfa Laval
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.
The company’s equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.
Alfa Laval’s products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, oil and gas exploration, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications.
Alfa Laval’s worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena. Alfa Laval is listed on Nasdaq OMX, and, in 2017, posted annual sales of about SEK 35.3 billion (approx. 3.6 billion Euros). The company has about 16 400 employees.