Page 27: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2004)

65th Anniversary Edition

The bigger ships, smaller crews, and shorter turn-around time, leave little time for on-board instruction. This makes it extremely difficult for new mariners to obtain the same practical training at sea. Gone are the days when one can "learn it all" on the job.

The mariner wishing to progress through the license structure is now faced with what must seem a bewilder- ing, complicated process. Even the most conscientious mariner would find it nearly impossible to keep abreast of these changes.

For a mariner that is unsupported by a union or employer, the cost of attending several blocks of short courses could run to several thousand dollars. Training now requires more than "chalk-and- talk." Through mandatory train-the- trainer courses, instructors are more aware of factors that improve the learn- ing process.

Six decades ago, it would have been unimaginable to conceive the plethora of teaching aids now available to instructors and students (copiers, scan- ners, computers, presentation software, projectors, videos, the Internet, etc.). To these, add state-of-the art full-mission and part task simulators and one can truly appreciate that training tools, as well as the high cost of training, have changed considerably.

These changes have brought about new challenges to maritime education and training providers. By far the great- est of these are compromises made between course length and cost. It is ironic that compared to six decades ago the average course is now one-third the duration, yet covers three times the material.

Constraints of time often lead to teach- ing the bottom line answers only.

Additionally, the random order in which mariners can attend the block courses do not provide for logical continuity. Of all the recent legislation, the Standards of

Training, Certification, and

Watchstanding Code (STCW-95) is the only convention that offers a structure to turn this mass of new regulations into a logical methodology for the orderly transfer of knowledge and skills. The code's framework builds on the skill sets identified at each level (Rating Part of a

Navigation/Engineer Watch. Officer in

Charge of the Watch, and Management level) and how the task of one level fits into the big picture.

It also requires that skill sets be prop- erly assessed before moving on to the next subject (not just cramming for a written examination). This structure is also applicable to the schools and instructors that are providing the train- ing. The complete integration of domes- tic requirements into the STCW Code structure would go a long way towards reducing today's confusing and some- times conflicting standards. It would also ensure that mariners obtain skills they can actually use in real life.

In addition, it will establish a clear career path for mariners and provide transferable skills. In the long run, it will help reduce the amount of re-train- ing that is required, which will help keep mariners in the industry.

The maritime community, with the help of training institutions, needs to take advantage of this opportunity to harmonize our training system. If all sides work toward the "big picture," we can provide meaningful, quality training that truly prepares mariners for the chal- lenges of the global maritime industry in the 21st century. I have no doubt that the industry and maritime training com- munity are up to the task.

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August 2004 27