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Marine Survival Training Center (MSTC) - University of Louisiana at Lafayette


Marine Safety Training for Offshore and Maritime Professionals in Lafayette

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Founded in 1988, the UL Lafayette Marine Survival Training Center trains personnel from the petroleum, aviation and maritime industries in emergency procedures and use of the lifesaving equipment available to them. MSTC mission is to provide the best marine safety training available by using state-of-the-art facilities and experienced instructors.

MSTC has operated as a self-funded department and trained over 100,000 students. MSTC currently offers seven courses approved by the US Coast Guard that are required for licensing. In addition, MSTC offers courses in Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET), Sea Survival, Fire Fighting, and First Aid/CPR.

MSTC is also offering Escape System Training required in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea and other countries. Being able to complete this training in the USA prior to mobilizing their workforce to other parts of the world is a major advantage to US companies. A

side from survival craft training and underwater helicopter egress training, the facility has expanded to include marine fire safety and much more.

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Training Programs

  • Basic Safety Training - STCW (5 days): This course is comprised of four USCG approved courses - Elementary First Aid - 8 hours, Personal Survival Techniques - 12 hours, Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities - 4 hours, and Basic Firefighting - 16 hours.
  • Personal Survival Techniques (12 hours): This two day course combines classroom and in water training to teach personnel the proper actions and survival techniques to ensure safety during an emergency evacuation/abandonment from a vessel or offshore facility. Participants will also receive instruction on normal and emergency operations during transport, including helicopter underwater egress training (HUET).
  • Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (4 hours): This 4-hour course is designed to teach personnel the proper actions to take while executing their shipboard duties to ensure their own personal safety, the safety of fellow crew members and to protect the marine environment.
  • Basic Firefighting (16 hours): This 2 day course is designed to teach participants the importance of fire prevention, the proper actions to be taken upon discovering a fire, and how to protect themselves with existing firefighting equipment within their work area.
  • First Aid/CPR (1 day): This one day course is designed to teach personnel the proper actions to take upon encountering an accident or other medical emergency.
  • Basic Aviation Water Survival: This course was designed to meet the standards adopted by the U. S. Coast Guard 8th District for their non-aviation personnel who fly over water. It covers an orientation of both U.S.C.G. and commercial helicopters and equipment. Practical training includes use of the HEEDS (spare air).
  • Comprehensive Survival Craft/Suit Training (USCG Approved): In this two-day course the participant will be able to identify the potential hazards encountered offshore and the proper action to take. The hands-on training covers the totally enclosed survival craft, marine and aviation liferafts, personal flotation devices, survival suits and helicopter underwater egress.
  • Helicopter Landing Officer (1 day): The one-day course is designed to international standards for the person designated as helicopter lander officer on offshore installations. The course will give the participant an understanding of flight operations and prepare them to oversee landing, refueling, and takeoffs offshore.
  • Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET): This eight-hour course meets international standards for HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training). By utilizing the METS (Modular Egress Training Simulator) the participant receives the most realistic training available.
    Incipient Stage Fire Control: Course outline reflects training that can be included. Specific areas can be concentrated on as required. It is ideal as a refresher.
  • Proficiency in Fast Rescue Craft: The purpose of this course is to train personnel in the proper actions involved in taking command of, launching, and handling of a Fast Rescue Craft.
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft: The purpose of this course is to train personnel in the proper actions involved in taking command of, launching, and handling of a survival craft during an emergency evacuation/abandonment.
  • Oil Spill Management & Response Training: A new type of oil spill response course combining ICS training along with hands-on equipment deployment and techniques.
  • Swing Rope: Swing rope Job Safety Analysis, PPE requirements, Stop Work Authority, Swing rope selection (inboard, outboard) rope condition, anchor point, Routine transfer procedures: platform to boat, boat to platform, Emergency transfer procedures; missed landing, suspended between boat and platform, and Rescue procedures.