Environmental Training Course for Dredging

The Training Course is based on the book Environmental Aspects of Dredging that was produced as a joint effort by the Central Dredging Association (CEDA) and the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) and published by Taylor and Francis in 2008. The lessons are enhanced by the up-to-date knowledge of the course leaders who are constantly revising the information to reflect the most current knowledge and thinking.

According to course leader Gerard van Raalte, understanding the ecosystem is essential. It helps mitigate potential negative impacts and improves and enhances the wider project environment.

The course is intensive, compacted into two very full days, composed of lectures and working group sessions.

In addition to PAO educational credits, at the end of the two days an IADC certificate of achievement is awarded to all participants who attended both days of the course.

Most recently the course was offered in December 2011 in Abu Dhabi, initiated and sponsored by the National Marine Dredging Company, NMDC. It took place at the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) where it attracted a record-breaking attendance. In fact, with 37 participants, it was definitely the biggest EAD course ever held. As a result, the organisers had to enlist some extra help: The two regular lecturers Gerard van Raalte (Boskalis/Hydronamic, The Netherlands) and Nick Bray (HR Wallingford, UK) were assisted by Mark van Koningsveld (Van Oord, The Netherlands), Michael Costaras (HR Wallingford, UK) and Lena Paipai (independent consultant, Dubai).

The the course is characterised by its small class size and individual attention. Remarking on the Abu Dhabi event, René Kolman, Secretary General of IADC, explains it was a hard decision to say no to a number of people who very much would have liked to join.