ASIA'S PIONEER CRUISE LINE SETS THE STANDARDS ON TRAINING
Star Cruises which boldly pioneered the cruise industry in the region and now the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific has invested heavily in crew-training and has constructed its own fully fledged simulation centre at its headquarters in Port Klang terminal, Malaysia. The US$5 million Star Cruises Ship Simulator (SCSS) is the only one of its kind in the world owned by a cruise company providing training on all aspects of handling and bridge management, including advanced onboard emergency and safety procedures.
The Star Cruises' fleet of ships can be described as floating resorts with a choice of worldclass dining, recreation and entertainment options that appeal to a wide spectrum of cruise holiday-makers. Since its inception in 1993 the cruise line has strived to provide the best possible cruise experiences for its guests not only in terms of service and a rich cultural diversity of experiences from cuisine to international performances to the crew’s nationalities (close to 40 different nationalities) but also in the area of onboard safety which has and continues to be an integral part in ensuring the safe operation of our ships.
"The simulator has played a vital role in achieving the high standards of bridge operation and safety procedures," says Captain Gustaf Gronberg, Star Cruises' Senior Vice-President of Marine Operations.
Rather than opting for a standard, off-the-shelf simulator, Star Cruises' training facility has been custom built to the design of the bridge on the cruise line's own ships. Star Cruises has been rolling out its brand of customised training to others in the industry. On completion of training the crew also then sail onboard the SuperStar Virgo to observe Star Cruises' own bridge team management in action. Six months later, Star Cruises carries out an audit of the crews that it has trained. "This has been very positively received," states Captain Gronberg.
The Star Cruises' Port Klang, Malaysia's simulation centre also trains harbour pilots from around the region, including many from different ports in Malaysia. Through use of the simulator Star Cruises has also become involved in port development projects, including studies of approaches and channels, and the company has carried out this type of work in China, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam..
Its simulator has also helped the company to be able to assist other cruise liner's ships to determine the maximum conditions in which it is safe to bring ships into the terminal.
Star Cruises' fleet subscribes to the International Safety Management Code (ISM) regulated by the International Maritime Organisation outlining superior safety, technology and skills. Star Cruises won the 'Innovation in Marine Technology and Machinery, Safety and Environment' - Lloyd's List, SMM Awards. Star Cruises also provides regular refresher trainings for all Captains and Officers to ensure the high standards are maintained as well as continuously improved on.
"As the pioneers in the industry in this region, we will continuously uphold the highest of practices and standards in terms of safety and training to ensure the entire fleet has the best qualified force for the safety of all our guests," said Mr. Chong Chee Tut, Chief Operating Officer of Star Cruises.
Officers’ undergoing training at the Primary bridge.
Control Room
ABOUT STAR CRUISES
Star Cruises, the third largest cruise operator in the world is a global cruise brand with a combined fleet of 21 ships with about 32,300 lower berths in service with an additional 3 ships and some 10,800 lower berths due to be delivered by 2010, cruising to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and the Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands.
Star Cruises is represented in more than 25 locations worldwide with offices in Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
