| Cal Maritime and Clearwater Port Develops Education Programmes |
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The California Maritime Academy of Vallejo (CA), a member of the California State University, and Clearwater Port LLC, announced the creation of a joint programme to expand West Coast training in the handling and transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) products. Clearwater Port is proposing the conversion of an operating offshore oil platform, located 12.6 miles off the coast of Oxnard, CA, into a state-of-the-art LNG re-gasification terminal to meet California’s need for affordable, reliable clean-burning natural gas. Clearwater Port officials said the decision to help underwrite continuing education of personnel working in the field reflects its commitment to sustaining the industry’s outstanding safety record for the transport, handling and distribution of this vital commodity. “Over the past four decades, the LNG industry has handled nearly 50,000 cargo deliveries covering over 100 million miles without a single incident of public harm,” said Billy Owens, Vice President, Clearwater Port. “We are proud to partner with the California Maritime Academy to create the first LNG training programme on the West Coast. We do so because of their leadership in maritime trade and transportation education, and because we recognize that skilled and well trained workers are vital to continuing our industry’s exemplary record of safe operations.” The new programme, to be developed and implemented by Cal Maritime's Office of Special Projects and Extended Learning, will include the development of curricula and the delivery of LNG training and continuing education services for personnel working in the fields of maritime and shore-side transportation and handling of LNG products. Initial program funding for course development is being provided by Clearwater Port. Under the agreement, Cal Maritime will develop the curriculum and implement a 2-3 day entry-level (Level I) introductory course for “new hires” not directly involved in the ship/shore interface. It will cover such areas as the science of LNG, ship and terminal operations, the LNG marketplace and safety. Those taking this initial course will have had minimal exposure to LNG shipping and handling. Secondly, the University will develop and implement a more advanced five-day course (Level II) – having a much greater operational focus. It will cover the science of LNG in greater detail, including chemical composition, liquefaction, re-gasification, and cryogenic properties. It will also address vessel design parameters and construction; operations -- including inerting, gassing, cooling, loading, discharging, warming, re-inerting and gas-freeing of LNG carriers; international rules and regulations; firefighting and prevention; and safety and personal protection. The Level II advanced course may also include simulation training in Cal Maritime's Transas Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator. The course will be immediately beneficial in providing key personnel with a detailed understanding of LNG vessel and handling operations. Clearwater Port proposes to convert an existing operational oil platform - located 12.6 miles offshore from Oxnard, CA – into a safe state-of-the-art terminal for receiving and regasifying LNG in order to provide California with affordable, reliable supplies of cleanburning natural gas. To dramatically reduce environmental impacts, the project would use Best Available Control Technology (BACT) and existing infrastructure. Without the need for on-site storage, the project can deliver gas to market faster and more cost-effectively than construction of a new terminal. Clearwater Port is a clean energy project of Northern Star Natural Gas, Inc. |