A $95,000 donation from Marathon Petroleum will be used by the Alaska Vocational Technical Center to upgrade the bridge simulator hardware and software used in AVTEC’s Alaska Maritime Training Center.
“With a long history of marine operations in Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound, we understand the challenges of Alaska’s maritime environment,” said Captain Marc Bayer, senior director of marine operations at Marathon Petroleum. “Making sure we have highly trained mariners plying these waters is a priority to MPC.”
Marathon Petroleum’s leadership announced the gift during a recent dock team management training 2.0, a two-day training event hosted at the training center. Thirty licensed ship masters and pilots honed their navigation skills through Cook Inlet’s ice-covered waters using the center’s three interactive full mission bridge ship simulators. The simulation training focused on advanced ship handling in sea ice conditions and effective communication among stakeholders.
Alaska Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas said the donation ensures that the center will continue to lead nationally in Arctic and ice navigation training for employers.
“The skills learned at AVTEC go with the mariners wherever they work around the globe,” Bayer said. “The investment in AVTEC and our collaboration with the Alaska Maritime Training Center and stakeholders strengthens regional preparedness; it is an example of how we do business and aligned with our commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.”
More information about AVTEC is online at www.avtec.edu.
