Elena Di Tizio opens the doors of the Gente di Mare training center

Elena Di Tizio, a native of Livorno, is the founder and CEO of Gente di Mare. Passionate about all things sea, boating, and shipping, she joined Azimut Benetti in 2004 when the former Orlando shipyard was acquired, participating in its development and remaining there until 2020. That year—as she told SUPER YACHT 24—she began a journey that would lead to the creation of what she has long felt was a missing piece in her city and throughout Tuscany: a training center for seafarers, which today is a fully operational facility offering 70 training courses.

How did the idea for a training center for seafarers in Livorno come about?

From my previous work experience, I was aware of the dire need for trained maritime personnel, and therefore believed it was crucial that Tuscany fill the gap of not having facilities that provided mandatory training. Hence the idea and the determination to pursue it with determination: starting with an intense study of all the regulations, we dedicated ourselves to drafting all the training materials, which required enormous effort, and then to conducting a thorough assessment of the instructors to identify those who were performing well.

At that point, I founded the company, began obtaining all the certifications, and conceived the name, which had to be Italian to distinguish it from the various academies, but above all to emphasize a national pride in the training of our sailors, which, coming from a five-year course at a Nautical Institute, a post-diploma program, and experience as trainees, is much higher than that of foreigners. Their background is also important in managing onboard equipment and, more generally, in their knowledge of technology, which, as it is increasingly advanced, requires not only keeping up with the times but also being ready for emergencies when these devices fail. Just think of the case of the Costa Concordia.

After obtaining the first four certifications, starting with Maritime Security—fundamental to me because it makes the vessel safer and provides the sailor with a contextualized view, which is essential since the captain must always be aware of where he is and the dangers he may face, especially considering conflict zones—I then followed the Training for Trainers course, to address the lack of instructors, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR), and Security Duties. During the screening process, among the companies interested in joining the company, I met the Cosulich Group.”

What was the decisive factor in choosing the F.lli Cosulich Group as a project partner?

I really appreciated both the Group's approach and its vision at F.lli Cosulich, not only from a financial perspective—an undoubtedly crucial aspect given the significant financial commitment—but above all because by investing so significantly, they demonstrated their belief in my project. With its 120 companies, F.lli Cosulich has many seafarers to train, and the school was therefore instrumental to part of its activities. However, they also felt it was important that this initiative be established for the first time in Tuscany and be unique in the region. At that point, I quit my job and dedicated myself entirely to Gente di Mare, trying to complete the training program as quickly as possible with some Basic Training courses, essential for initial embarkation, without which a maritime career is impossible. With the training program ready, we were able to immediately attract all the young people interested in starting this career. We invested in the Wartsila simulator for the various training courses for chemical tankers, gas carriers, and oil tankers, and therefore the entire ship-to-ship loading simulation system. Among other things, we have instructors for these courses. the leaders in Italy, given that the LNG part was born with the Cosulich Group.”

Were there any difficulties along the way?

The difficulties arise from the misalignment of the IMO Model Course regulations with those required by our decrees. The Italian revision of the IMO regulations was certainly a necessary and important initiative, but it was very challenging and still requires work. We can nevertheless say that in just over a year since the Cosulich Group joined, we've completed everything, thanks in part to the Naval Academy, which, by granting us use of their facility, solved our swimming pool problem.

Is Gente di Mare's training for seafarers aimed at both the shipping and recreational sectors?

“After focusing so much on shipping this past year, it was natural to avoid segmenting the crews too much and instead create a yacht Academy in Genoa, with a commercial agreement with the Marina Waterfront.

To address the issue of endorsement of Italian STCW courses in the foreign personnel's countries of origin, I identified an important training program under the Maltese flag. It has a valid Anglo-Saxon approach, focusing on both shipping companies and seafarers, a 24-hour service for endorsements or clarifications, and flexibility in the training component with online courses. After a long and thorough audit by the Maltese government, we have become an affiliate of MaritimeMT, a highly qualified training center founded by Maltese port pilots.

Do you have other agreements with training centers?

I have a collaborative, not competitive, vision: among the first initiatives was the agreement with the Genoa-based CMA; we rely on its infrastructure for the provision of MAMS (Maritime Qualified Rescue Equipment). The Yacht Academy looks to Genoa for synergy with the Marina Waterfront, to provide support to the city of Genoa, which, although more focused on shipping, also has excellent yachting potential due to its proximity to the French Riviera. For me, establishing a yachting training center in Genoa was essential. Hospitality is an important aspect of this sector, and we have the Guest certification to provide tools for both the purser and the stewardess.

Other local units are in Trieste, where the historic offices of the Cosulich brothers are located, and recently also in Palermo, where we are collaborating with San Giorgio. There's a lot of talk these days about integrated ship-terminal systems, and so some of the courses (PFSO) are also aimed at training terminal operators. From there, we'll build on our airport training program.

Today we essentially have 70 courses in our catalog that we can deliver, some of these online, others in person, with the training offerings being appropriately channeled to one center rather than another.”

What are the most pressing training needs during this period?

Shipping companies are lacking seafaring personnel, so we're focusing on training people to bring into the shipping industry. Furthermore, there are very few Tuscans on board ships, perhaps due to a miscommunication in previous years that made this activity unattractive. This is precisely the paradigm shift we need to make to seek out local opportunities. Today, however, there are extremely important roles on board, such as electrical engineering officers, for example, who require training. We're positioning ourselves as a hub for shipping companies that, starting with training, helps them find personnel, while also providing guidance to individuals to seize the opportunity to join them.

Then there is the poor knowledge of the English language among the biggest problems affecting Italian seafarers.

"It's true. Not knowing English is very discriminatory, especially in the recreational boating industry. Many shipowners ask to verify the knowledge of the sailor who will be on board, and I think that's right. English is a matter of communication skills, interaction, and, last but not least, it's a matter of safety. You can't expect to make up for in a few months what you haven't learned in five years of school. An aspiring captain or chief engineer must know maritime English, which is different from regular English, and for this purpose we have the Marlins certification, which is an offshoot of the English MCA."

Are there any new trends in terms of training requests?

“There is a very high demand for Maritime Security, the course and its updates on the PFO (Port Facility Officer) aimed at those who work in terminals and must manage potential terrorist threats, and on the courses on LNG.”

What is your policy regarding course fees?

Costs vary depending on the length of the course, with moderate fees generally being the norm. I believe it's important to provide training support to seafarers when it isn't funded by their company. For young people who graduate from the Nautical Institute and are just starting out, we immediately entered into an agreement with the Livorno institute, establishing a merit-based award that provides free training. Providing support is also important for ensuring social advancement. In this regard, we've opened a channel with the National Maritime Fund, which can provide excellent support. And we constantly urge governments to issue training vouchers at public meetings.

What do the kids who attend Nautico aspire to and what do they need?

I go to classes to ask them what they'd like to do after graduation, and they often answer: harbor pilot. My advice to them is to diversify their work experiences. I believe they should also be trained in the ecological transition and new fuels: we're focusing heavily on this at GdM and have planned a biofuel course together with Warstila that we'll present at the next Myba. Furthermore, being "ready" in terms of training is important: our new Basic Training program is just starting right now with 13 students from the Nautical Institutes of Carrara and Livorno, which will allow them, once they finish school, to immediately look for a job and become trainees.

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