Posted: October 19th, 2023
The training of marine personnel
The training of marine personnel.
The training of marine personnel is a vital aspect of ensuring the safety, security and efficiency of maritime operations. Marine personnel include seafarers, officers, engineers, navigators, pilots, divers, technicians and other professionals who work on board ships, offshore platforms, ports and coastal areas. The training of marine personnel involves both theoretical and practical components, covering topics such as navigation, seamanship, engineering, communication, safety, emergency response, environmental protection, maritime law and regulations, and human factors.
The training of marine personnel is regulated by international standards and conventions, such as the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Courses, and the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. These standards and conventions set the minimum requirements for the competence and certification of marine personnel, as well as the quality and accreditation of training institutions and programs. However, these standards and conventions are not static, but evolve over time to reflect the changes and challenges in the maritime industry, such as new technologies, emerging risks, environmental issues and human factors.
Therefore, the training of marine personnel requires constant updating and improvement to ensure that it meets the current and future needs of the maritime sector. This can be achieved by conducting regular reviews and evaluations of the existing training standards and programs, identifying the gaps and weaknesses in the training outcomes and delivery methods, developing new and innovative training approaches and tools, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and best practices from other sectors, and enhancing the collaboration and coordination among the relevant actors in the maritime education and training system.
Some examples of recent developments and initiatives in the training of marine personnel are:
– The revision of the STCW Convention and Code in 2010, which introduced new requirements for the training and certification of seafarers in areas such as security awareness, leadership and teamwork, maritime English, use of electronic charts and information systems, and prevention of pollution.
– The development of new IMO Model Courses on topics such as maritime cyber security, maritime resource management, maritime spatial planning, marine environmental awareness, energy efficiency management, ship handling in ice-covered waters, and polar code operations.
– The adoption of the IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships in 2018, which calls for enhancing the education and training of seafarers on low-carbon technologies and practices.
– The establishment of the Global Maritime Training Network (GMTN) in 2019, which is a platform for sharing information and best practices on maritime education and training among IMO Member States, training institutions, industry associations and other stakeholders.
– The launch of the Maritime Skills Academy (MSA) in 2020, which is a global online learning platform that offers courses on various aspects of maritime operations and management.
The training of marine personnel is a dynamic and complex process that requires continuous adaptation and innovation to keep pace with the changing demands and expectations of the maritime industry. By enhancing the quality and relevance of the training of marine personnel, the maritime sector can ensure that it has a competent and qualified workforce that can contribute to its sustainability and competitiveness.
References:
– International Maritime Organization (IMO). (2011). STCW: A guide for seafarers. London: IMO.
– International Maritime Organization (IMO). (2020). IMO model courses. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/HumanElement/TrainingCertification/Pages/Model-Courses.aspx
– International Maritime Organization (IMO). (2018). Initial IMO strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships. London: IMO.
– Global Maritime Training Network (GMTN). (2021). About GMTN. Retrieved from https://www.gmtn.org/about-gmtn
– Maritime Skills Academy (MSA). (2021). About MSA. Retrieved from https://maritimeskillsacademy.com/about-us/