Marine Cafe Blog, July 2011

Man Overboard! - Saving Life at Sea

Excerpt:The topic of the training film ‘Man Overboard!’ released recently by US-based Maritime Training Services sounds simple enough: what to do when a man falls into the water. Yet this superbly made instructional video fills a gap in seafarer training. Produced in cooperation with the US Coast Guard and several other organisations..

United States Coast Guard, November 2010

Photo Release: Coast Guard and Columbia River Pilots Conduct Drill

Excerpt: ASTORIA, Ore. — Coast Guard Capt. Leonard Tumbarello (right), Sector Columbia River Deputy Sector Commander, explains to Matt Gasparich (left), managing director for Maritime Training Services Inc. in Seattle, proper procedures for retrieving persons in the water before a joint training excercise with the Columbia River Bar Pilots in Hammond, Ore., Nov. 8, 2010.

The Maritime, October 2009

Shooting Pirates Aboard the COSCO Tianjin – Wait, it’s Not What You Think

Excerpt:

Producing a training film onboard a real container ship presents real challenges: a constantly running generator creates ambient noise, variable lighting and weather conditions cause delays, a film crew unfamiliar with the ship’s layout presents safety risks, and finding an authentic location and enthusiastic actors can be the most difficult of all.

For companies that produce these films for the maritime industry, such as Walport, Maritime Training Services and Videotel, these issues are a daily reality. For Maritime Training Service’s latest production, Piracy: Preparations, Precautions and Response, the film’s script and storyboard were fully developed – without a location or crew in which to film.

“We could have used a laid up ship and professional extras,” said Rick Titcomb, President, Maritime Training Services, “But we discovered long ago that using authentic ships and real mariners establishes credibility with our audience — a key component for educational films. But logistically, using a real ship and crew is not easy to do.”

Marine Café blog, April 2012

A world of Discovery for seafarers

Excerpt: We're so choosy about the films we watch that we haven't been inside a movie house for ages. Much of the Hollywood stuff shown locally is plain rubbish. Because our snobbishness extends to documentaries and training films, we're pleased to learn that Discovery Channel has linked up with Maritime Training Services (MTS) to offer quality content films specifically designed for crews of merchant ships. The first set release is now available, consisting of 10 DVDs totaling 30 hours and 50 episodes. Watch this preview of the segment, "Treasure Quest: Mysterious Cargo".

The initial package costs just US $450 - a paltry investment for ship operators who want to boost morale on board whilst keeping their crews properly informed. MTS has its own line of training films, which we cannot recommend highly enough. ~Barista Uno

The Maritime Executive, April 2012

Discovery Channel & Maritime Training Services Partner to Provide Content for Seafarers

Crew welfare and retention is a major challenge for shipping companies around the world. Seafarers can spend months away from friends and family; with limited internet and entertainment options onboard.

Relief is coming.

The Discovery Channel announced an ongoing partnership with Maritime Training Services to offer over 100-hours of entertaining, high-quality content, specifically packaged and designed for crew members working on board merchant vessels.

"Discovery's rich library of content features factual programming that is both informative and engaging," said Elliot Wagner, Director, Program Sales, Discovery Enterprises International. "This partnership allows Maritime Training Services to provide high-quality entertainment for the world's 1.5 million seafarers and is an incredible opportunity to reach new audiences and extend customer appreciation of Discovery's brand."

The first box set release, which is available now, focuses on maritime educational themed programming and includes titles such as: NAVIGATING THE PANAMA CANAL: HOW DO THEY DO IT, MAYDAY! THE BERING SEA, CONTAINER SHIPS: EXTREME ENGINEERING, SOMALI PIRATE TAKEDOWN: THE REAL STORY, and many other programs synonymous with Discovery's brands. This 10 disc box set, available exclusively for merchant vessel operators, includes over 30 hours of programming.

"Our trial customers report their crews enjoy the Discovery channel because it's entertaining, they learn about the maritime industry and they improve their English Skills," said Matt Gasparich, Managing Director of MTS. "For the first time, ship managers and owners can legally purchase onboard entertainment outright, without the burden of contracts, rental schemes or return requirements."

To learn more about the Discovery Channel's Maritime Entertainment Library please visit: www.maritimetraining.com/entertainment