By
Rebecca Gibson |
Carnival Corporation’s Center for Simulator Maritime Training (CSMART) Academy has been recognised as the world’s first Center of Safety Excellence by international classification society DNV GL.
The maritime training academy was recognised for its commitment to delivering high-quality training to seafarers and enhancing safety at sea. The award was presented toby Paal Johansen, global cruise ship director DNV GL – Maritime, at a ceremony at the CSMART Academy in Almere, the Netherlands. It was accepted by Vice Admiral Bill Burke (retired), chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation; David Christie, senior vice president of maritime quality assurance for Carnival Corporation; and Captain Hans Hederström, managing director of the CSMART Academy.
“Carnival Corporation and its cruise line brands have made a strong commitment to safety, exemplified by its investments in training and personnel development in its CSMART Academy,” said Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL Maritime. “Carnival Corporation’s organisational focus on continuous improvement throughout their officers’ careers, and the innovative application of training simulators, is a testament to its drive to go beyond compliance.”
Founded in 2009, the CSMART Academy is a maritime training, professional development and research facility that is part of the Arison Maritime Center. The facility offers 36 different training courses, Fleet Captain and Fleet Engineer programmes and provides annual safety training for almost 7,000 bridge and engineering officers that work on the ships in Carnival Corporation’s nine cruise brands. Training is delivered by 47 land-based instructors and more than two dozen trained line instructors who alternate working onboard a cruise ship with instructing at the CSMART Academy.
The academy has four full-mission bridge simulators, four full-mission engine room simulators, eight smaller part-task bridge simulators and 36 part-task engine room simulators. They can be used to simulate various sea conditions and operational scenarios at 60 different seaports around the world, so bridge officers can learn how best to respond in real-life situations. Meanwhile, engineering officers can use the simulators to practice using engine room controls, environmental systems and exhaust gas cleaning systems. DNV GL assessors praised the simulators for their resemblance to ships’ operations and the high level of realism.
“We are honoured by this recognition of our relentless commitment to the safety and comfort of our guests as the top priority for all of Carnival Corporation’s cruise line brands,” said Hederström. “Our CSMART Academy faculty and staff include some of the world’s top maritime experts, and we are privileged to support the ongoing training of the bridge and engineering officers from each of our nine cruise line brands. It is all made possible by our corporation’s collective commitment to safety and significant investment in innovative simulator equipment, technology, instructional tools and curriculum.”