Holland College’s Marine Training Centre has signed an agreement with VSTEP for a Global Maritime Distress Safety System lab. GMDSS is an agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed vessels.

Holland College is taking an innovative approach by creating a GMDSS mobile classroom, which allows the Marine Training Centre students to continue their GMDSS training despite any pandemic restrictions that maybe in place.

The 1+8 GMDSS Lab will enable students and industry professionals studying at the Marine Training Centre to efficiently learn the full spectrum of terrestrial and radio marine communication, regardless of their location.

VSTEP is providing the MTC with hardware and software for the GMDSS courses. The curriculum is designed to enable students to acquire both theoretical and practical skills. Students will train in a safe environment where conditions such as device failure, noises, delays, emergencies) simulate real-life circumstances as closely as possible.

Ozan Dermen, Director of the Marine Training Centre said the team at the MTC worked closely with VSTEP to ensure that the equipment and curriculum were exactly what they required.

"Working with VSTEP has been a great experience. They make sure that they understand the needs of their customers and modify the product accordingly. Our final design was tailored to suit our requirements," he said.

Stephen Kelly, VSTEP Senior Business Developer – Americas, said the MTC’s modification to its course delivery is timely.

“Ozan and his team had the foresight to anticipate the changes in the maritime training environment and the need to adapt their means of course delivery. With the restrictions imposed by COVID and the natural physical barriers between students and Institutions, Holland College now can bring their world class training to their students directly and safely,” he said.