Building on the success of previous years, KOTUG and Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Maritime Education (CME) once again joined forces in Houston to deliver an intensive and highly practical training program for our Tug Masters and Buckeye Bahamas Hub’s Pilots operating in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

This year, the program took place over four separate sessions of two days each at CME’s state-of-the-art facilities, featuring one ship bridge and two tug bridges, providing a highly realistic and immersive environment.

In total, a group of 8 tug masters and 7 pilots attended the sessions. This hands-on training was designed to further strengthen collaboration and enhance safety standards during ship assist operations.

A notable update to this year’s curriculum was the close collaboration with Kyle Ward, the head pilot from Buckeye. Together, we customized the simulation exercises to match the specific operational profiles and vessel types the pilots and tug masters encounter in their daily work. This tailored approach ensured the highest level of relevance and practical value for every participant.

The program was led by KOTUG’s experienced pilot trainer Juan Blankenburgh and Waldo de Waal, overseeing the tug operations, with strong support from the CME team under the guidance of Director, Capt. Stephen Polk.

KOTUG and CME believe that safety at sea starts with thorough training on land, learning from experienced mariners and utilizing cutting-edge simulator technology. Initiatives like this are crucial to continuously raise the bar in operational excellence and maritime safety. Both organizations are proud to contribute to developing highly skilled professionals who keep global shipping safe, efficient, and reliable.