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Pilots navigate Morocco from North East

Pilots are learning to navigate one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean from the comfort of South Tyneside.

The Marine College at South Tyneside College has won an on-going contract to train Moroccan pilots to navigate the new Tangier Med Port, which currently under constuction.

To facilitate the training, South Tyneside College has created a 3-D simulation of what the Tangier Med Port will look like, based on construction plans.

The new port is a project lead by the King of Morocco, to boost economic development and tourism in Morocco. Tangier Med Port will be one of the largest in the Mediterranean and will open up access to the Moroccan coast and North Africa.

Four Moroccan pilots from Tangier Med Port Authority are visiting the college this week to begin a two week training programme to learn how to navigate ferries into the new Roll-on, Roll-off Port.

As well as this two week course, South Tyneside College will be involved in on-going training for all current and future pilots - expected to total 30 by 2012 - and for all VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) personnel.

Chief Pilot from Tangier Med, Tarik Dourasse, said: “The facilities at South Tyneside College are world-class and provide an ideal training environment for our staff. “It is these facilities and the quality of teaching and support on offer which have helped to secure our deal with the College to deliver all pilot and VTS training for the new Tangier Med Port.”

Chris Thompson, Head of the Marine Simulation Unit at South Tyneside College, said: “We are delighted that Tangier Med has chosen the College for this extensive contract. We are looking forward to working with them over the coming months to ensure that their pilots are prepared when the Port becomes fully operational.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .