In 2021 SMT will be celebrating its 35th Birthday and what a better way to do it than with a new boat!
Since its inception, SMT has been able to grow by accessing industry vessels on which to conduct its training.
However, in 2020, with an increased demand for access to larger vessels, more complex engine rooms and a wider range of on-board lifting equipment, the Board of SMT decided to purchase a larger training vessel that was contemporary with those operated by industry.
What has resulted from this decision, is the purchase of a Conquest 60 that is currently being modified to become SMT’s lead training vessel for the next 10 years.
When the modifications are complete the vessel will be fitted with a large deck hatch that allows for easy access to the engine, there will be a large awning fitted that will cover a large portion of the aft deck area to transform the vessel into a spacious floating classroom.
We also have plans to fit a new crane for teaching onboard crane operations, and for loading and offloading the vessel’s tender, which will be used for coxswain training.
Along with these modifications, the vessel will have a newly painted stern and gunwale strip plus SMT’s logos.
The vessel came well suited to training with a 3 helm station, large deck area, spacious engine room, comfortable galley and saloon, and a range of deck machinery. It will be able to sleep 6 crew and is currently in 2B survey, which we are planning to add 2D for 12 crew too.
Being a not-for-profit, industry run, training provider, SMT has continuously invested in meeting the training needs of the industry. The purchase of the new vessel is however the largest investment that SMT has ever made.
Due to the significance of this investment and SMT being able to meet the current and future training needs of the Tasmanian Seafood and Maritime Industry, we are hoping to celebrate it with the Minister for Education Hon Sarah Courtney and our industry partners in a Commissioning ceremony in early June.
A change of the guard at SMT
After 12 years with SMT, Matt Jones has decided to leave SMT to pursue new and existing opportunities in Melbourne. As a Learning and Development Specialist, Matt has delivered numerous training sessions in various subjects plus worked with 100s of Trainees and their employers both on and off the farms.
SMT would like to thank Matt Jones for all his years of service to SMT and the seafood community and we wish him all the best on his new path.
In 2021 we welcomed Nadia Bush to our team. Over the past 12 months Nadia has been working hard to get her Trainer Assessor qualification as well as working on boats in the Tasmanian Seafood and Maritime industry and in Antarctica. Prior to this, Nadia for the past 15 years has worked in a variety of roles from fish farm attendant, deckhand on fishing vessels in Qld and Tas, Contract skipper and as mentioned previously, skippering resupply barges in Antarctica and Macquarie Island. Nadia holds a Master less than 24 m and a Marine Engine Driver 2 Certificate of competence and is joining the SMT team as a casual trainer.
