Page 18: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2004)

Training & Education requirements of the International

Maritime Organization's (IMO's)

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and

Watchkeeping of Seafarers or STCW '95. This has traditionally required sea- farers to undertake supervised shore based training and assessments. These formal and informal onboard training methods have traditionally existed and progressed independently.

However, with its new range of com- puter based training (CBT) products,

BMT is seeking to transform the future of maritime training. A new ship maneu- vering and handling CBT course, devel- oped in collaboration with the Seattle- based Pacific Maritime Institute, offers a highly interactive learning tool, which provides flexibility as to when and where people study. BMT's CBT is based upon fully approved and accredit- ed course material and is initially designed to complement and reduce the extent of the shore based training com- ponent for officers in charge of a navi- gational watch.

In this manner the remote or 'distance learning' aspect of training can be under- taken at a time and location to suit the student and their employer. Without the travel, venue, accommodation and other associated overhead expenses; a training solution can be provided very cost effec- tively. In addition, this type of course material can easily be customized to a client's specific vessel and updated to keep pace with technological and regu- latory changes.

Developing courses is only one aspect of the CBT solution; another is how to provide them to trainees. An innovative idea currently being developed by BMT is a concept by which remote training can be centrally coordinated, updated and monitored.

In this proposed system, called

SeaTrain, training or information mod- ules will be centrally stored on a server that permits direct access from home users and a 'virtual' direct access from shipboard users.

To address issues of adequate band- width and satellite access faced by ships, shipboard users' systems will be linked via the Internet to the central web server and storage facility.

With the SeaTrain concept, all manner of training courses and material can be accessed including specific ship or equipment familiarization material, pub- lic health, vessel security, safety and cri- sis management, regulatory information, company directives and the company's quality management system. The use of a specialized CBT player and modular design will allow components of any course (such as text, audio or graphics) to be easily changed without requiring a costly and time-consuming modification to the entire course.

For ship operators this facility pro- vides advantages for cost and training time reductions. An individual's training or knowledge of company procedures can be tracked and logged and the sys- tem itself becomes a multi-functional, flexible and tangible asset.

The pace of change in the maritime sector shows no sign of slowing and training methods must be able to stay a step ahead. E-learning, which has been successfully used in other sectors, pres- ents an opportunity to meet this chal- lenge.

There has already been widespread interest in BMT's developments by com- panies such as Royal Caribbean

International, V. Ships and Princess

Cruises.

Circle 13 on Reader Service Card

Harbormaster Propulsion Systems

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Economical & dependable units based on 60 years' experience.

Outboard Drive units

Standard models from 50 to 200 HP.

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Fully integrated power-and-control For unassisted maneuvering systems. Easily installed & moved. in tight quarters, dynamic

Eliminate need for separate pushboats positioning and precise or permanently installed propulsion systems. vessel control.

Harbormaster Marine, Inc. 31777 Industrial Road

Livonia, Ml 48150 USA (734) 425-1080 Fax (734) 425-1850

Website; http://www.harbormastermarine.com

Never use anything but

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Circle 252 on Reader Service Card

BAE SYSTEMS/MARINE PRODUCTS

Formerly: Singer-Kearfott; ES Marine; GEC-Marconi Hazeltine

WINDOWS: heated, fixed, double sash, sliding, and crank-operated

PORTLIGHTS: hinged and stationary in aluminum or bronze

WINDOW WIPERS: heavy-duty

DOORS: watertight, individually dogged, or quick-acting

HATCHES: quick-acting or dogged

SCUTTLES: quick-acting or dogged

CLEAR VIEW SCREENS

Write for catalog:

BAE SYSTEMS

Hinged and

Fixed Ports

Window Wiper and

Fixed Window

Clear View

Screen

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BAE SYSTEMS / Marine Products 550 South Fulton Avenue, Mount Vernon 10550

Telephone: (914) 664-6033 Fax: (914) 667-2311

Email: [email protected]

Circle 215 on Reader Service Card 18 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News