GALVESTON, TX – The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has begun a $1.5 million renovation and construction project at the Center for Marine Training and Safety in Galveston, to continue and expand its training for the maritime industry, Gulf Coast oil producers and U.S. Coast Guard. CMTS offers job skill, safety and emergency response training.

Located at 8609 Teichman Road, the Center is jointly operated by TEEX and Texas A&M University at Galveston. The main building has 12,000 square feet of remodeled classrooms and offices, along with over 2,000 feet of sheltered waterfront on Offatts Bayou, offering an ideal location for on-water training.

The current construction project includes relocating the floating dock, removing the existing overhead utilities, installing underground utilities and light poles, building a new service road and a 104-space parking lot, renovating and relocating the lifeboat davit, and installing a fast rescue boat davit system.

“One of the very first significant projects is to renovate and relocate the existing lifeboat davit system, which is currently not operational,” said John Coppernoll, Director of Facilities Maintenance and Construction. “The winch system will be removed and completely rebuilt for a new BH-7B fully equipped lifeboat, and then certified upon completion.

“Next to the lifeboat davit, a new Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) slewing davit system SA-33 will be installed to fulfill the training mission. This slewing davit, which is typically installed on ships or offshore drilling platforms, must be constructed on an engineered concrete foundation,” he added. Engineering project designs were developed by Shelmark Engineering of Dickinson, TX.

Besides training in Fast Rescue Boat operation, other courses offered at CMTS include lifeboat training, water survival, freshwater and coastal oil spill response. TEEX offers seven U.S. Coast Guard-approved courses for mariners and offshore personnel.

Current projects are expected to be completed by August 2015. Future plans for the Galveston training facility call for bulkhead improvements and the addition of a boathouse and pool building to further enhance training capabilities.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brian Blake, TEEX Communications Director
[email protected]
PH: 979-458-6837, Cell: 979-324-8995

Will Welch
[email protected]
PH: 979-458-6979, Cell: 979-220-2840

Back to top