Training for expanding roles

Nobody wants their ship to be used as part of a conduit for the activities of terrorists. With this in mind, ship managers and ship owners are beginning to explore what they need to do to apply the new International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) Code. They are discovering that in practice the Ship Security Officer (SSO) must be formally trained to perform his/her new assigned duties, part of which includes responsibility for seeing that the whole crew are informed, trained and take part in drills.

The IMO’s sub committee on Training & Watchkeeping has already determined the main competencies required by the SSO, and Port State regimes are known to be preparing to enforce the requirements of the ISPS Code. When the Code comes into force on 1 July this year, we could see the first detentions for incomplete implementation of the Code.

There is currently no requirement for ships’ engineer officers to have any security training, but this situation is expected to change as the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code requires those onboard who have security related duties to receive the relevant training.

A number of shipping companies have, and are considering, giving the Ship’s Security Officer’s (SSO) duties to the engineering department, and in particular the chief engineer. One company who has considered it, but who have ruled it out for the time being, is MOL Tankship Management. The company’s fleet operations manager, Andy Hill told The Motor Ship: “Some of the junior engineer officer positions would not be suitable for the position of SSO because of their onboard duties. We may consider the chief engineer as an alternative to the chief officer.” he added.

“I am interested in freeing up the chief officer’s workload so that he can effectively carryout the SSO role by shifting the responsibility for deck maintenance back to the engineering department. We are also interested in placing the safety officer’s role in the engine room.”

Specialist training

Within the context of the ISPS Code, Hill believes there would be problems in making any other engineering position other than the chief engineer the SSO. But, there would also be problems here as the chief engineer has a number of tasks to undertake when a vessel is in port such as bunkering.

The specialist training company Videotel supplies numerous safety training Videos and computer-based training packages for use onshore and onboard ship. Indeed, Hill said that much of MOL Tankship’s general safety training is performed through Videotel packages and that the company is also using Seagull AS computer-based training services. He says that this training is largely self-motivated by those onboard.

The IMO has suggested that the required training for SSO?s can be achieved through the use of distance learning or CBT methods as well as, or instead of classroom training. Videotel already provides approved materials for training the SSO and the Company Security Officer (CSO). This is through the provision of CBT, workbook or video, or a combination of these.

All Videotel courses are mainly self-contained to allow independence from a college or a tutor. For this reason Videotel’s’ courses are designed to be highly motivational to help the student study alone, although tutorial support is available, usually by email correspondence. In practice therefore the seafarer can study wherever he or she chooses; onboard, at home in the office or anywhere there is access to a computer. The growing habit of many seafarers to carry their own laptops means that training in an airport lounge, or even in-flight, is possible.

According to Captain Masakazu Kobayashi, manager of the International Seafarers Group Marine Division, Mitsui O S K Lines, the safe operation of vessels and maintenance of a clean environment are critical to the way ships operate today: “Many maritime schools, training institutes, and training centres declare their training completely meets the requirements of STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping), and we regard training to STCW standards improves the skills of seamen worldwide, and helps us to meet the need for safe and environmentally friendly operation of our fleets,” he says.

“However, there is still an unacceptably high level of maritime casualties and troubles being reported worldwide today. Just as troubling is the number of cases where, although no accident actually occurred, it was observed and reported that seamen did not know how to operate their vessel correctly and effectively. We regard STCW certificates and IMO core competencies as demonstrating only the basic skills necessary for the job, with further development training necessary if seamen are to operate effectively.”

Captain Masakazu also referred to complaints from ship managers saying that some engineers do not know or can not manage big engines, or the new more complicated engines, despite holding an STCW competency certificate. “This brings us to what I regard as the heart of the problem, namely the lack of practical training received by seamen at many training institutes today.

Simulators

To address the inadequacies of textbook only training, MOL has installed Main Engine Remote Control

Simulators

in two training centres for use by our trainee engineers. The simulators provide the opportunity for engineers to acquire the skills and knowledge needed in the operation of modern big engines. Textbooks are adequate for teaching basic theories, but this is no longer sufficient when dealing with today?s complex on-board equipment.

“To eliminate the possibility of dangerous situations arising out of a lack of knowledge and experience, and to familiarise crewmen with up-to-date technology, MOL trains its seamen at four MOL Training Centres worldwide. We also seek to achieve an appropriate balance between on-the-job-training and good shore based training, a combination of both being important and effective in helping to achieve safe vessel operation.”

Returning to the matter of security. There is little time to train all the officers required to assume the role of SSO’s before the Code enters into force and in the current uncertain times, high levels of security could be required anywhere and at any time.