Newscastle's Smart Training Pays Off
1 September 2009
HMAS Newcastle recently demonstrated great flexibility and smart training to qualify six sailors as Marine System Technicians (MST), two as Marine System Controllers (MSC) and two as Electric Plant Console Operators (EPCO).
Despite having spent significant time in refit and upgrade, Newcastle has capitalised on the use of shore-based courses through the RELEGEN-sponsored MST program and judicious use of the FFG Propulsion Control system (FFGPCS) trainer at the Combat System Maintainer School.
The use of the trainer meant that, despite Newcastle having very limited sea time last year, two MSCs could be qualified during an intense three-week training period on board and at the trainer, which were awarded by the outgoing Marine Engineering (ME) Officer, LCDR Adam Birch.
Six other members of the department were also awarded their MST qualifications after being put through their paces in assessment walkthroughs by WOMT Kevin Crandon and CPOMT(E) Paul Baker. While the FFG PCS Trainer can not completely replace MCS training at sea, it is a perfect 'finishing school' to consolidate the sailors' underpinning knowledge.
This achievement was a result of the lateral approach to training employed by the Newcastle ME department and the efforts of staff at the FFG PCS Trainer led by CPOMT Rick Macchetta. LCDR Birch told Navy News that using the trainer was a fantastic opportunity to progress the qualifications of the Newcastle ME department.
"We can simulate more realistic faults on the consoles," he said. "I am proud of the impressive skills shown during the MSC assessments, and I am hopeful that in the future we can continue to use this resource to accelerate MSC qualifications."
Additionally, under the auspices of the new ME Officer, LCDR Macinty Winner, Newcastle has taken every opportunity to program engineering casualty control drills to continue training personnel for requisite engineering watchkeeping qualifications, ensuring the focus on training has remained a top priority.
Again, this has included use of the FFG PCS Trainer, for which the experience and flexibility shown by the staff in the delivery of the training has enabled the Newcastle team to gain the greatest benefit from the limited time available.
This has meant that, despite a busy program with test and trials, there has remained a steady progress of all watchkeeping personnel. LCDR Winner said he saw the competence and confidence of those individuals involved in the training initiative on watch daily and they were well ahead of the curve in qualifying for their next qualification.
"This is due in no small measure to the innovative program initiated by the outgoing ME Officer, LCDR Birch," he said. "The expertise and skill of hand of the recently-qualified watchkeepers is not only testament to their own professionalism and pride in a skill learnt well, but also to the steadfast dedication of the warrant officer and senior sailors that comprise the Engineering Training Team in Newcastle."
