Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2020)

Training

Crew Training for a Future that Includes

Autonomous Vessels s we continue to contemplate a future with of automated vessel operations will only make foundational ships transitioning to automated and autono- and continuing training of crews more critical. Vessel operators mous operations, the need for new and inno- need to do a better job and new technology and training meth- vated crew training will only increase. Our ods need to be utilized.

A current and future ship crews will need to The development of more advanced and specialized ships straddle both new and existing vessel opera- utilizing machinery that incorporates technological advances tion technology. This will present challeng- will help make ships more effcient, but they will also demand es, but ones that the industry can address in a proactive manner. a higher level of training and education of the crew who oper-

Traditionally, maritime skills have changed slowly and new ate them. This is coming at a time when the industry is already technology was assimilated on the fy in many cases. The Mer- facing a number of challenges in attracting and retaining quali- chant Marine was a place where you learned on the job. From fed crews. This was a problem before the COVID-19 situa- entry-level positions to cadet shipping, the very rank structure tion stressed the maritime labor pool to the breaking point. An of a ship was predicated on accruing knowledge and experi- important factor when we evaluate the risk profle of a vessel ence. We have already begun to see that fabric change with the or feet at Allianz is the manning component. Who supplies the reduction of crew sizes and the elimination of most all entry- crew and how are they trained are key questions when we look level positions. We are now at the stage where we need to do to develop a risk grading of an account. a better job of preparing crews to perform their assigned tasks It is critical that future maritime education and training be before they ever step foot onboard. The approaching landscape of high quality, but also that it be visible to the public. The © metamorworks/AdobeStock 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • May 2020