Testimonials
Read what course attendees have to say about training with Christian Hempstead:
Highly recommend Advanced Integrative Navigation with ECDIS course. This course expands beyond the USCG requirements for 40-hour ECDIS instruction and teaches cohesive bridge resource management with the ECDIS as the central tool for safe navigation, which is a key change to NOAA bridge watchstanding as paper charts become obsolete. NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson’s Wardroom (from the CO to the most junior JO) used this course to safely identify, develop, and practice ship specific and operationally specific standard uses of ECDIS as the primary means of navigation for regionally-specific transits and operations.
Briana Hillstrom, Hydrographer & NOAA Corps Captain (Ret)
I took courses from Christian at a maritime academy and my wife and I have personally taken his simulation training and had him do individualized customized training on our boat. He helped us understand what the ECDIS software is designed to do; configure our software for actual use on our boat when underway; load and groom electronic charts; construct routes efficiently and update them underway as conditions change (I still find his way of doing this a clever idea; ask him about it); set up backup procedures; and explain what is really important to know, and what to disregard, when using the software on the water. He quickly got us to a solid understanding of how to use our ECDIS software for actually navigating our vessel on our busy waterways. That is not something found in any ECDIS manual.
Each time we take our vessel out, Christian’s personalized training has helped support our quest for that safe and enjoyable voyage we all want. I highly recommend you contact him and arrange for training. Don’t wait!
Steve Scherba, Jr.
Mr. Hempstead recently taught a two-day ECDIS Familiarization class to my organization, the Marine Chart Division at NOAA, and it was excellent. It was refreshing to see the ENCs that we maintain displayed as they’re supposed to be – in an ECDIS – and valuable to hear Mr. Hempstead’s power user insights about what works and what doesn’t. The class was very well thought out and Mr. Hempstead explained things extremely well; he’s an excellent trainer. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his classes and hope to have the opportunity to attend another one in the future.
Diane Melançon, Senior Cartographer at NOAA
When I was a student at GMATS -KingsPoint through NOAA, I had the opportunity to receive some of my training with Christian. I thoroughly enjoyed his teaching style and his many stories. I was on the edge of my seat when he talked about his time sailing on the Exxon Valdez as well as his days of sailing with his father. He is a true mentor, maritime instructor, and riveting story teller. To this day, I keep a copy of American Practical Navigator on my desk because of his influence on me!
Brandy Geiger, Lynker, Program Analyst
CDR Hempstead easily conveyed his mastery of the navigation and electronic navigation to his students, facilitating quick absorption and understanding. Learning in such an environment was enjoyable and rewarding.
Pedro Medeiros, Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT LLC), Assistant Operations Manager
Christian Hempstead is an amazing professor and instructor. I had the opportunity to study under his direction during my time at the Academy and was able to gain a great amount of knowledge from his insight and expertise. He is very patient and understanding. One of my favorite Deck classes!
Amanda McNanley PMP,Rolls-Royce, PMO Manager XWB
Christian is an engaging professor who strives to create graduates that feed the needs of the maritime industry.The simulator environments he creates are some of the best bridge management experiences any mariner can hope for. He builds confidence in his students by challenging them in the simulator and motivating them with real world relevance.
Marjorie Marino Zoretic, Foss Maritime Company, Director Of Business Development
Christian Hempstead efforts at providing state of the art training to our deck officer students have been exemplary. His use of simulators has increased both the effectiveness of the training the midshipmen receive and the number of students that can be trained at the same time. Combining his acknowledged expertise in ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems) with the latest simulator technology, Christian has brought deck watchstanding training into the 21st century.
Michael Ales, SNAME, Member
Christian is one of the best professors I have ever had the pleasure of studying under. He is very knowledgeable and passionate on the subject matter he teaches. While keeping the atmosphere casual, Christian knows the importance of all means electronic navigation and really makes the student learn about the systems, as well as how to use them effectively. I highly recommend him to any institution or individual, as they would be lucky to have him as a teacher.
Craig Gary, Sundays for Dogs, Supply Chain Manager
Christian is a great shipmate who you can count on in any situation.
Thomas Gray, Napa Valley College: Machine Tool Technologies Program, Volunteer
Christian and I were part of a team that provided start up training at Esso Norway. He was assigned a training area and was tasked on designing, writing and conducting the training. His work product was thorough and well produced. His clients were very satisfied with his efforts. I would recommend Christian any time one might have a maritime training need.
Nils Knutstad, SeaRiver Maritime, Master
I had the good fortune of having Christian on the staff of our West Coast School (the Pacific Maritime Institute). During that time Christian led the way in integrating the electronic chart display information systems (ECDIS) into our navigation training. He is an excellent curriculum writer and instructor. Any school is lucky to have him.
Glen Paine, MITAGS, Senior Business Development Consultant
Christian is a dedicated and hard working mariner with whom I have spent considerable time at sea. He is a gifted teacher and posesses in-depth knowledge of his profession. I highly recommend Christian’s work in the maritime field.
Capt. Sean J. Marchant AFNI, Valero Energy Corporation, Senior Manager, Marine Assurance
