Do you remember the first time you saw a waterjet powered yacht docking in a busy port? I still do, back in 2013 while I was working as a Deckhand on a Motor Yacht in Antibes and was strolling down the port while a 40m Mangusta was just starting to enter its berth. The distance on the port/stbd side was barely 0,5m from the other yachts and the ground lines staying in line with the berth while the furious Kameva jet drives were pushing water clearing the way. While the Crew was busy preparing the mooring lines and adjusting the fenders I was looking amazed at how the Captain was calm and collected while manoeuvering this monster. After 5 min the maneuver was finished and the vessel docked safely.
From then, I always wanted to learn how to drive WaterJet drives, 10 years later I have the chance and so do you…
Why Water-jet propulsion?
We asked the same questions Marko Oštrić who is the mastermind behind the new course which will introduce the everyday Captain to this impressive propulsion system.
The answer is simple! Because It offers better maneuverability, high acceleration, operates in shallow water, and offers low noise configurations, while also being environmentally friendly. Sounds like every Owner/Captain would like to have those features right? Marko exclaimed.
Ok valid points, but why make a course for it?
Because there was no one doing it and I wanted to share my personal experience of how it is to maneuver this type of vessel. Especially for the crew working in the yachting industry where you have a growing base of such vessels and you don’t have a chance to practice beforehand or learn from scratch. In fact, my friend, who was working for a long time as a Captain on a twin screw propulsion yacht had the offer to move on a larger yacht with jet drive propulsion. Having never been engaged in such a role, he called me and we arranged a private session where he practiced a few days on the simulator, after that he got the job and he is still there as we speak.
The Instructors
Marko is a Master Mariner, DPA/CSO, Superintendent, ISM/ISPS Auditor the list goes on, but yes he is more than qualified for the task. In his career as a Captain, he had the privilege to take under command a High-Speed Craft PRINCE OF VENICE powered by waterjets. If you want to know more about Marko here is his LinkedIn profile
Last year (2022) he and his team decided to offer this course to ambitious yacht Captains and Officers who wish to broaden their skillset with this propulsion system. With an already impressive resume, Marko and his colleagues Matej and Ivan are both Master Marines serving in the Commercial Navy on Crude and Oil tankers, and Maro who will lead the course has years of experience on waterjet propelled vessels.
The Equipment
The Simulator features the new NAVI TRAINER 5000 with realistic replicas of Vessels and Ports (Venice, Valletta, Split…), offering interchangeable weather and sea conditions at night or day. Mimicim actual situation every Captain/Officer faces while on duty.
The Bridge station features Wartsila Monitors and TRANSAS ECDIS, GMDSS equipment, X AND S-band RADARS, and a fully integrated control display.
The model of the Ship can be changed and tweaked for any purpose, while we were there our training was on a dedicated yacht model. The feedback from the controls is instant and you can really get a feeling like in real-life applications. Especially when Marko turned the dial on the weather conditions and served us with a thunderstorm with raging winds and waves, some of the attendees even got seasick from the simulation.
There is one more surprise that Marko prepared, an VR (Virtual Reality) headset for those who wish to have an immersive experience in ship handling. Not recommended for those who don’t have a strong stomach, as soon as the weather turns and the ships start rolling you feel it instantly like you are there.
About the course
The course follows STCW I/12, II/1, and II/2 regulation guidelines, and the certificates are endorsed by DNV-GL.
The course is not only about maneuvering but includes a dynamic approach where you will use all of the tools that a modern bridge provides ECDIS, RADARS, and VHF communication with the instructor, and dedicated crew members who will be responsible for helping with docking and anchoring procedures.
Each group starts on Friday afternoon with a basic theoretical introduction to waterjets, how they operate, what to expect, and how to service them. Saturday and Sunday are reserved for practical practice on the simulator where you learn how to operate the vessel, docking, and anchoring.
Groups consist of 3 up to 6 people in the larger simulator on the Island Brač.
Our training was in the main simulator in the city of Zadar, just next to the Maritime Faculty of Zadar.
Is this for me?
While I and Ante were traveling to Zadar for the course we commented on how it can’t be much different from any other course in a simulator, but to our surprise we were wrong. The amount of detail and enthusiasm that Marko and his team put into this course left us amazed.
From the introduction to the maneuvering part, you feel engaged all the time. Unfortunately at that time, the VR headset was not available but hearing comments from other attendees it adds another layer of reality.
Now, if you ask me would I be confident to operate a waterjet drive yacht in real life? Yes!
The promotional price for the course in March is 1200€ 960€ .
There are few places left in March so what are you waiting for? Now is the time to invest in your knowledge and gain competitive leverage in an already competitive industry.
If you need more information contact us, or book directly below on the calendar.
