Bachmann Expands Marine Training Course Program

The Guernsey based Bachmann Group, are continuing to add training packages to their range of maritime services, many of these are designed to fully complement their activities in yacht management, recruitment, regulatory compliance and crew remuneration.

Having recently celebrated their first year in a purpose built training centre across the water in Lee on Solent, the company’s Bachmann Training Division has now opened up a similar facility at their HQ in St Peter Port on the Channel Islands.

Courses already slated for the new centre are: Electrical Safety for Non Electrical Staff, Electrical Fault Finding for Engineers, High Voltage Awareness, PAT (Portable Appliance Testing), Risk Assessment, Yacht Safety Breakdown, Stress Management, Emergency 1st Aid at Work, Manual Handling and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health).

Bachmann Training’s Business Manager Keith Austin is a man who comes to the job with solid practical background in the marine industry, having spent over 20 years at sea from cadet to Chief Engineer with companies such as Union Castle, Clan Line, Safmarine, Commodore, Sealink British Ferries and P&O Ferries.

Keith started a second career in marine training after being a Superintendent Engineer for a further ten years, and is a member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology, and Institute of Diagnostic Engineers.

One of the latest packages added to the Bachmann Training program is the ‘Yacht Safety Breakdown Course’. This has been so well received in its first few weeks that it has already become established as a regularly run class for up to 20 participants.

The course offers to bring students to a basic competency level, which will enable them to return yachts to a safe haven in the event of breakdowns or unforeseen circumstances while underway. This includes basic training in engine breakdown at sea, electrical faults, pre-voyage preparation, radio operations & procedures, and boat safety, plus some elementary planned maintenance routines.

Keith Austin explained, “we already see this becoming very popular with young people who are keen to make a career in yachting, maybe planning to join a yacht as deck crew and work their way up. This not only gives them the confidence to take the first step armed with some acquired knowledge, but it also enables them to demonstrate to captains or owners that they have a serious attitude to training, and have committed themselves to learning the basics.”

The course is competitively priced at £150.00 per day plus VAT, and includes lunch, with a certificate provided upon successful completion.

Other courses, which are a standard part of the Bachmann training program, include specialist subjects that are not so easily found elsewhere. For instance a Marine Electrical Course focusing on the intricacies of 24 volt supply, and a very comprehensive 5 day course on Electrical Fault Finding for Chief Engineers.

Safety, First Aid and Food Handling courses are also regularly featured, but Keith Austin points out that his team of instructors is very willing to customise courses to suit the requirements of individual companies or vessels.

As an example they are currently working on an exam paper aimed at verifying the specific detailed knowledge required by electrical engineers working on MTU engines, such as those commonly found on many large yachts.

Austin also makes a case for his training school’s position on the Solent being part of ‘Centre of Excellence’ where a consortium of training establishments with a wide range of marine specialties all work in harmony with each other, and within the same geographical area.

“We can provide training and the necessary instructional equipment for certain subjects that our neighbours cannot offer,” he says. “But equally they have their own specialist curriculums which they are fully geared up for. Happily we all appreciate this and are comfortable with working together”.

“Therefore whatever the training requirement, from STCW through to an Advanced Diploma in Marine Engineering, we are able to point students in the right direction and negotiate the best rates for them” Keith concluded.

Many sizeable organisations are already making use of the Bachmann Training facilities, including well-known names such as, BP, James Fisher, ECDIS Ltd, Isle of Scilly Steamship company, GW Marine Surveyors and Babcock International.

Don’t let lack of training hold back your company or put your vessel in jeopardy. Why not have an informal chat with Bachmann Training's Business Manager, Keith Austin on 02393 877 680 or email keith.austin@bachmanngroup.com

Or to find out more about how Bachmann can help with the management and operation of your yacht, from ownership structuring, registration and flagging, yacht administration and expense management through to crew recruitment, employment, payroll, training and technical regulatory support. Please contact Gary Le Cras, Director and Head of Yachting on +44 (0) 7852 227121 or email Gary.lecras@bachmannyachts.com