| History and Development
The International Development and Environmental Shipping School
(IDESS) was established in Sweden and Norway in 1989. The idea,
born out of concern over the consequences of tanker casualties,
was to give seafarers access to specialised training that would
help to reduce the number of incidents (and minimise their effects)
that cause loss of life or damage to the environment.
Tanker courses for ship's personnel are not new, but they
are usually run as a small part of the operation of a large
maritime institute. From the start IDESS concentrated solely
on tanker operations and safety, rapidly achieving a high level
of expertise. This continues to be the focus of our training
operation.
The courses satisfy the requirements of the 1995 amendments
to the International Maritime Organisation's STCW Convention
of 1978. However, the statutory requirements are a minimum standard
and do not necessarily meet the requirements of the shipowner.
Courses are designed to provide additional knowledge that
can be of practical use on board and, when properly applied,
make a positive contribution to greater operational efficiency,
safety and pollution prevention.
In 1991 IDESS established a training centre in Manila to offer
their tanker courses in the Philippines. This was done in response
to encouragement from some Scandinavian shipowners who employed
Filipino seafarers. Our training activities have developed considerably
since that time.
In 1992 IDESS was asked to look at developing training programs
that would help improve the effectiveness of a bridge watchkeeping
officer's ability to navigate safely, with particular regard
to collision avoidance. Courses in Collision Avoidance and Bridge
Team Management commenced in May 1993. This type of training
required sophisticated training aids, as well as first class
instructors. At around this time Transas Marine (UK) had developed
a ship simulator program which was found to be an excellent
teaching aid for these courses. IDESS was the first training
facility to offer this type of training in the Philippines.
Encouraged by the support of many major shipowners and managers,
IDESS sought to improve its training facilities in the Philippines
and in October 1995 opened its new, purpose built training centre
in Subic Bay. This has proved to be an ideal location providing
an excellent environment in which students can acquire skills
and knowledge. The new centre represents a considerable investment
in modern equipment, teaching aids, and competent instructors,
focusing on three main areas of training:
- Tanker Operations
- Safety Training
- Simulation, Navigation & GMDSS
IDESS believe that the most important element in providing high
quality training is the instructor and considerable effort has
gone into achieving a balance between the "academics" and the
experienced "practical" seafarer.
IDESS is an independent organisation, and its services are
available to all members of the international shipping community.
The training facilities currently established in Scandinavia
and the Philippines are making a positive contribution to seafarer
training which is so important to the shipping industry.
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courses
