A group of us started talking about developing a distance delivered harbor employee training program about three years ago. The costs turned out to be excessive and the program was shelved. During this year's spring conference of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers (PCC) in Juneau, I had a chance to meet with Dyan Bessette with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Sitka Campus, Eric Olsson of Washington Sea Grant (WSG), and Ray Majeski, Port Director of Sitka and Vice-President of PCC about bringing the idea back to life.
It turned out that the timing of my book Northern Harbors and Small Ports: Operations and Maintenance coincided well with a Title III grant that UAS received to develop distance education programs with industry. UAS asked if it could used as the text for the proposed training program. While the particulars are not quite firm, we are off and running with the program, Two other harbor associations are likely joining forces with the certification effort. They are the Alaska Association of Harbormaster and Port Administrators (AAHPA) and the Harbor Authorizes Association of British Columbia (HAABC). In addition to these two groups, it looks like we may be able to partner with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Small Craft Harbours who actively work with Canadian Port Authorities. Alaska Sea Grant (ASG) has joined in support and is allowing us to utilize their extensive book store offerings as part of the course curriculum.
The on-line portion of the program will involve about eight or more modules that I will describe in more detail below. Once a student finishes a yet to be determined number of modules, they will receive a certificate of completion from UAS. After a student has completed a year’s work at a member harbor of the AAHPA, PPC or HAABC, member cooperating members will issue a certificate of qualification an a certified harbor/marina employee. There is a chance we will be able to develop some On-The-Job training standards as well. These could be things like pump operation or use of fire extinguishers. We picture this qualification as a basic requirement for advancement within a member harbor and transferable between marinas. Each member has the advantage of fully knowing what the training comprises and how it applies to their facilities.
Working with UAS, Eric Olsson and I anticipate completing the first two modules in Facility Safety and Hazardous Material by the end of July 2006. We will begin beta testing soon after that and hope to have some preliminary results to present to the PCC, AAHPA and HAABC groups at their fall meetings. The modules use Macromedia Breeze, PowerPoint, HTML, video and a number of reference documents to support the material being presented.
If you would like to know more about the project, feel free to contact me.
Elements of a Harbor Employee Training Program
Introduction – General overview of harbor operations and management. Completion of module will provide a roadmap to the student describing the training and certification program. Elements briefly covered will include:
• Management – Daily Operations
• Administration – Staff Positions
• Budget Process
• Regulatory Environment
• Maintenance
• Harbor Operations
• Employment Opportunities
• Harbor Trade Organizations (AAHPA, PCC, SG, AMI, ABBRA)
Resource Materials: Northern Harbors and Small Ports available from Alaska Sea Grant
Operations and Maintenance Planning – Harbor operation depends on good planning. Module will cover planning tools and documents that can be utilized by a harbor. These include:
• Marina/Harbor Operations Manual
• Facility Policies and Procedures Document
• Customer Documents and Forms
• Resource Library
• Facility Inspections
• Harbor Economics
Resource Materials: Harbor Economic Impact Model and user’s guide available on-line at http://www.harbormodel.info
Harbor Administration – Harbors for the most part are independent businesses operating within the overarching governmental structure of their community. Good business management will provide the resources a harbor needs for it successful operations. Module topics will include:
• Marina Business Management Software Programs.
• Administrative Staffing and Job Descriptions
• Governmental Relations
• Office Management Practices
• Vessel Mooring Practices
• Risk Management
• Customer Service and Conflict Resolution
• Administration of ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures
• Advertising and Promotion
Fire Safety – Harbors combine a large number of high value vessels in close contact with each other and a number of flammable substances gas and diesel fuel. This module will cover elements of fire safety training and planning. Elements will include:
• Fire Safety Training
• Fire Safety Plan
• National Fire Protection Association Standard 303
• Fire Fighting Equipment
Resource Materials: NFPA 303 available from NFPA
Facility Safety – Harbor facilities need to be monitored to ensure they are in good condition. This focus on safety impacts both your customers and employees. Finding a problem early can prevent much greater issues in the future. Module elements will include:
• Electrical Power Systems
• Floating Dock Freeboard
• Water Rescue Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Kid’s Don’t Float
• Housekeeping
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Lighting
• Marine Mammals (This may be considered as a separate module)
• Earthquakes and Tsunami
• Risk Management Practices
• Boating Safety
Resource Materials: Ocean Fury, Alaska Water Wise and Responsible Marine Wildlife Viewing in Alaska available from Alaska Sea Grant.
Hazardous and Other Materials – The future viability of harbors and marinas will depend on developing good environmental stewardship practices. Harbors also need to comply with numerous Federal and State regulations. Industry has developed the concept of Best Management Practices that provide good guidelines for the prevention of boating related pollution. Module elements will include:
• Best Management Practices for Harbors
• Used Oil Collection
• Solid and Liquid Waste Materials
Fishing line, fishing nets and plastics
Hull scrapings and sanding products
Scrap materials generated by vessel repairs
Contaminated fuel or water
Liquid and aerosol paints
Lead-acid batteries
Fish waste
Trash and garage
• Hazardous Material Training
• Federal Laws and Regulations International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA) Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (MPPRCA) Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act Title I (MPRSA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA90)Resource Materials: Hazardous Materials On Board available from Alaska Sea Grant.
Marine Structures – Effective operation and maintenance of a harbor is dependent on employees having a solid understanding of the marine infrastructure installed at their workplace. Module elements cover major marine structures found in a harbor or small port.
• Mooring Docks
Wood floating docks
Concrete floating docks
Fixed docks
• Anchor Piling
• Tidal Grids
• Launch Ramps
• Breakwaters
Rubble-mound
Permeable wave barriers
• Floating Fish Cleaning Stations
• Gangways
Marine Construction Materials – Marine structures are built out of materials that are designed to withstand use in a severe climate. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages inherent in using each material will help harbor employees make good choices in their maintenance activities. Materials described in the module include:
• Wood
Wood damaging organisms
Wood damage by nonliving agents
Decay prevention
Inspection for decay
Maintenance and repair of wood structures
• Steel
Corrosion
Inspection of steel structures
Galvanic series of metals
• Concrete
Maintenance and repair of concrete structures
• Foam Floatation
Resource Materials: Marine Wood Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Proper Use of Douglas Fir available from Oregon Sea Grant
Dockside Cranes and Straddle Hoists – Harbors and small ports commonly use boat lifts and dock mounted cranes. Safe use of this equipment depends on good maintenance and safety practices. The following topics will be covered in this module:
• Dockside Cranes
Crane inspections
Crane access controls
Crane operator training
• Marine Straddle Hoists
Resource Materials: CD based crane operator training available from ARXCIS.
Potable Water Systems – Delivery of safe drinking water is an important function of most mooring facilities. There are a number of maintenance concerns that harbor employees should take into account at their facility.
Electrical Systems – Harbor electrical systems represent major investments by the community and can cause serious injury or death is not properly maintained. Elements of this module will include:
• Common Electrical Distribution Systems
• Harbor Electrolysis and Corrosion
• National Fire Prevention Association Standard 303
• Lighting Systems
Resource Materials: NFPA 303 available from NFPA and Harbor Electrical Guidelines for Maintenance and Operations available from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Future Developments in Harbor Operations – What does the future hold for employees and operators of small boat harbors? This module will present information on future developments and reinforce the harbor employee certification program being sponsored by UAS, PCC and AAHPA. Ideas include:
• Harbor Maintenance Management Software – I’m currently working on this with Tryck Nyman Hayes
• Harbor Employee Training – This program is a major step forward.
• Port and Facility Security.
• Responsible Harbor Users Handbook
• Harbor and Port Visual Glossary
Resource Materials: 33 CFR Part 101 to 106 available from the United States Coast Guard.
Labels: Freelancing, Harbors, Marinas
Learn about boating and your local marina on National Marina Day. Sponsored by the Association of Marina Industries, participating marinas will celebrate the event on August 12th.
