Seamen’s Church Institute, ACTion Group Announce Training Partnership

The Seamen’s Church Institute’s (SCI) Center for Maritime Education (CME) and the ACTion group have joined forces to achieve the shared goal of providing services that increase safety within the inland waterways industry. Both companies have a substantial presence on the Gulf Coast and Mississippi River system. 

“When you combine SCI’s best-in-class training (wheelhouse assessments, simulator training, and e-learning) with ACTion group’s ability to develop safety management systems and perform audits, we have a solution which is mutually beneficial for our customers,” said Stephen Polk, SCI director of maritime education and training. “Without a doubt, this will continue to add further value and positively affect safety within the industry.”

One joint service now offered is third-party on-board assessments. This service gives employers the opportunity to have personnel evaluated by a neutral party. Both SCI and ACTion group have established assessment programs, so joining the programs together seemed like the next step for both companies.

“Teaming up with the ACTion group is great for the industry because we are both actively engaged in helping mariners and serving the maritime community,” Polk said.

“By partnering with SCI, we are able to provide platforms for education through systems and process development to enhance critical thinking, which leads to better decision-making,” said David Foret, president of ACTion group. “Our mission is to enhance an organization through personnel and process development in order to achieve operational excellence from the boardroom to the galley, enabling companies to buy down risk.”

Established in 1999, ACTion group personnel collectively have more than 150 years of operational and functional industry experience. The ACTion group is known for developing and implementing safety management systems such as those required by TMSA, Subchapter M, ISM, and The American Waterways Operators’ Responsible Carrier Program. The company also assists with technical writing, developing facility and vessel response plans, operations manuals, and Maritime Transportation Security (MTSA) plans.

“For 20 years, our team at the ACTion group has been providing a vision today, for tomorrow’s journey,” Foret said.

Training mariners since 1899, SCI continues to provide education and resources that impact the lives of mariners and their crews. Today, the Center for Maritime Education’s experienced staff works with experts from various fields preparing curricula using sophisticated simulator technology to bring real-world experiences into the classroom.