The arrival of two emergency rescue vessels in Stonehaven later this month will signal the launch of new courses at the town’s Marine Training Academy (MTA).
It is the result of a 10-year deal between the UK skills arm of Danish conglomerate A.P. Moller–Maersk and Aberdeenshire marine safety specialist Survival Craft Inspectorate (SCI).
The fist new course is aimed at establishing the centre as a world leader for teaching boatmen and coxswains in the use of fast rescue craft.
Maersk said its latest vessels – together worth “hundreds of thousands of pounds”, according to a spokeswoman – were due to arrive on Sunday, June 22.
New instructors have also been recruited and an open day will be held at MTA on Wednesday, August 27 to showcase the facility and new training courses.
Maersk Training UK managing director Stuart Cameron said: “Companies in the oil and gas sector can be assured the academy offers first-rate training facilities.
“The challenging waters of the North Sea around the Stonehaven coastline, with its coves and inlets, provide the sternest test of any facility in the UK for fast rescue training.
“The (oil and gas) industry has been aware for some time of our plans, and there is a tremendous level of interest already generated.
“We believe that in the first year a high number of delegates will be trained at the facility, with demand increasing as new vessels come online by 2015 and growing from there on.”
Stonehaven was home to a rescue training centre and voluntary lifeboat for more than 30 years until violent storms lashed the town late last year, forcing the charity that ran them – the Maritime Rescue Institute (MRI) – out of business.
MRI, which also hosted Maersk training courses, had faced a near-£500,000 bill to replace wrecked boats and equipment.
Mr Cameron said: “The loss of the facility was a great blow to the town.
“With all the fresh investment that has now taken place, we are returning with great confidence and vigour in the knowledge that – out of that sad period – we have seen the development of a world-class facility for the oil and gas sector.
“It is one that the community of Stonehaven can be extremely proud of.”
Findon-based SCI boasts more than 22 years’ experience in the manufacture, supply and maintenance of lifeboats, davits, liferafts and fast rescue craft.
With support from Stonehaven Harbour Board and Aberdeenshire Council, the firm invested around £500,000 in building and equipping the new training centre.
MTA complements SCI’s existing training facilities, and is primarily aimed at improving the skills and competence of employees who use, install and service lifesaving equipment.