Training helps shore and sea personnel respond to the migrant crisis

Marlins, V.Group’s training business, launched an elearning course in December last year to ensure the effective and efficient response to crisis scenarios involving migrants and refugees making their way through the Mediterranean and South China seas. The course – Humanitarian Response – was developed in partnership with UK-based charity, Human Rights at Sea.

While steps have been taken to prevent migrants and refugees from making the dangerous crossings by sea there are still many who are making the crossing and as David Hammond, CEO and founder of Human Rights at Sea explained at the launch of the course: “The issue is no longer an exception, but may well become the norm as the migrant flows continue north through Africa, from the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.”

Building on practical experience from private maritime security companies, vessel owners and managers, the Humanitarian Response course also includes important legal and humanitarian perspectives.

The course is suitable for both seafarers and shore-based personnel supporting seafarers enabling:

• Understanding of the reasons why migrants and refugees choose a sea route
• Creation of plans to prepare both the ship and crew for possible involvement in large scale rescue operations

And it provides guidelines and suggestions for vessels involved in the rescue of large numbers of migrants or refugees at sea.

The Humanitarian Response elearning course is available to sample or purchase via the Marlins online shop: http://www.marlins.co.uk/elearning/humanitarian-response