Onboard safety, the management of emergencies, a thorough knowledge of crafts and their technologies: these were the main themes discussed during the four-day Convergence 2012 that saw over 120 Captains as well as Chief Engineers of the Ferretti Group’s yachts and vessels. Everybody participated at theoretical lessons, team exercises, and in-depth visits of boatyards and nautical companies based on Lake Iseo and Lake Garda, the location of the 2012 edition.
Ferretti Yachts´ Convergence 2012
The 2012 edition of “Convergence” ended on 16th March. “Convergence” is the training and refresher Master Course that the Ferretti Group – a world leader in the construction of luxury motor yachts with a unique portfolio of the most prestigious and exclusive brands in the nautical world – devotes every year to the Captains and Chief Engineers of its yachts and vessels.
The eighth edition of this meeting was held in the beautiful setting of Lake Garda, and included a far-reaching programme extending over four days and focusing in particular on onboard safety and the management of emergencies, as well as on the importance of having a thorough knowledge of the craft and its technologies.
The technical sessions, organised in cooperation with the Ferretti Group’s leading Technology Partners, dealt with a wide range of subjects and were eagerly followed by over 120 participants. The lectures held by MTU, ZF, Onan, Rina, Condaria, Flir, Gianneschi, Idromar and Naviop were particularly appreciated by the attendees; their main goal was to illustrate the state-of-the-art in the technologically innovative systems installed on the Ferretti Group’s yachts, as well as to explain how a close cooperation between the Partners and the Group from the very early stages of product development can result both in top-quality products and in easier management and maintenance by onboard personnel.
8th Convergence by Ferretti Yachts, March 13-16, 2012
Besides theoretical sessions, technical-training demonstrations were also held in the various dedicated corners set up by the Partners Fluiten, OceanLed and Rolla, while during the dinner on Wednesday night Flir made an unusual night demonstration of their thermal imaging cameras. On the same occasion, all participants could taste and enjoy the wines of Consorzio Tutela del Bardolino, Jack Daniel’s spirits and Davidoff’s cigars.
The training was further enriched by the visits to some historical nautical companies located on Lake Iseo, particularly the legendary Cantieri Riva and Cantieri RAM, in Sarnico, as well as a visit to Besenzoni and to the boatyard and showroom of Nautica Casarola in Peschiera del Garda, where – on the last day of the Convergence meeting – the certificates of attendance were handed over to all participants.
The visit of the legendary Cantieri RIVA
Two themes that are closely related to the recent events that occurred in Italy, the management of onboard emergencies and safety, were at the core of the opening lecture held by the RINA, devoted to life-saving appliances and ship abandonment procedures. The Captains and Chief Engineers also took part in a team building video-shooting activity which inspired some in-depth reflection and a very interesting debate during the round table chaired by Eng. Roberto Martinoli, one of the leading experts in this field, the Italian delegate of the European Cruise Council and the Managing Director of Grandi Navi Veloci.
“Convergence” is thus confirming, year after year, it is an unmissable training opportunity and one of the most enthralling activities for the entire Ferretti Group, which constantly aims to strengthen a sense of belonging and closeness as well as to ensure that “its” sea professionals are always in the lead in terms of training and skills.
