Samrat Ghosh

Reviewing seafarer assessment methods to determine the need for authentic assessment

The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention set global, minimum standards of competence for seafarers. Maritime Education and Training institutes (METs) are responsible for ensuring assessment processes not only assure attainment of STCW outcomes but also produce competent graduates that meet the expectations of core stakeholders such as regulators and employers. A review of literature in this area, however, suggests that some current assessment methods employed by METs are largely failing on both accounts. This paper argues that STCW falls short in its ability to provide appropriate standards and looks at the need for authentic assessment in seafarer training. A brief review of authentic assessment presented herein highlights characteristics that may improve the shortcomings of current assessment methods and STCW. The paper proposes authentic assessment as a way to elevate the collection of evidence of a seafarers competence using methods that promote student engagement and transfer of competence in different contextual scenarios.

Management of berths at sea for seafarer students

Abstract Seafarer training in Australia is severely affected by the scarcity of training berths, which is due to the absence of sufficient berths on ‘blue water’ vessels in a declining Australian fleet. Analysis of responses from global maritime institutes provide evidence to suggest an inconsistency in approach and a global frustration with international regimes that enforce archaic training practices and time serving, which retard efforts to solve the issue of availability of sea time and applied training. Improved collaboration between key stakeholders, harnessing alternate means of training, recognition of prior learning, and innovative management of vessels providing sea time could be combined to reduce the current backlog of seafarers unable to obtain approved certificates of competence due to a lack of mandatory sea time. Issues associated with these alternative approaches will be discussed and the solutions that should be investigated and trialled in Australia identified.

Autonomous merchant vessels: examination of factors that impact the effective implementation of unmanned ships

ABSTRACT Research in the design and development of fully autonomous and unmanned merchant vessels has revealed positive results and expected benefits that support their likely implementation on the high seas in the near future. The benefits mainly derive from the removal of the human element which may reduce associated errors; and provide financial savings on crew salaries and omission of crew accommodation. However, even though the technical concepts for unmanned vessel operation are well established, studies on human interaction with the systems are not as prevalent. This paper highlights the regulatory, legal, safety, human/technology interface and societal concerns posed to the operation of unmanned vessels. This paper argues that the belief in complete reliability and trustworthiness of fully automated ships is unrealistic, and in doing so, questions its commercial viability. This paper concludes that the maritime and seafaring industry require further evidence of the validation of the technology before the long-term effects of fully automated vessels can be equated.

Risk management on offshore vessels: training, expectations and reality

ABSTRACT The blowout on the drilling rig ‘Deepwater Horizon’ resulted in human fatalities and significant environmental damage; and drew attention to the vulnerabilities in the safety of the vessels and the seafarers operating the vessels in the offshore sector. One of the reasons of the explosion was attributed to the poor risk assessment and management practices. Risk assessment is one of the central tenets of the ISM Code that establishes safety management objectives and requires safety management system (SMS) to be established by ship operators. It is therefore imperative that in order to meet the objectives of the Code and to ensure personal safety, all seafarers should be conversant with the risk management principles and trained in its practical application. However, based on a theoretical analysis of the regulatory requirements of training as well as analysis of past incidents on offshore vessels, this paper highlighted the challenges faced by the offshore sector in the effective training of its seafarers in the process of risk assessment. In doing so, the regulatory requirements for training and its inherent flaws are discussed. The practices and attitudes of the seafarers towards the process of risk assessment is also critiqued.

Can authentic assessment find its place in seafarer education and training

ABSTRACT Evidence from past research suggests that decontextualised traditional assessment methods promoted by the STCW Code’95 are failing to address the development of skills considered essential by seafarer employers and leading to overall student disengagement. Authentic assessments conducted in real-world contexts and requiring an integration of competence will assess a seafarer’s competence to perform tasks at workplace standards. However, there is absence of research on authentic assessment in seafarer education and training (SET). The assessment methods adopted by maritime education and training (MET) institutes to assess a seafarer’s competence is directed by the requirements of the STCW Code. Hence, this paper analyses assessment methods (training ships, in-service experience, simulator, laboratory equipment, practical tests) other than traditional assessments that are recommended by the STCW Code in its effectiveness to implement authentic assessment for SET. The effectiveness of the methods was not only judged on its ability to recreate real-world scenarios but also on the issues of financial costs, task design, and learning effect. This paper concludes to state that authentic assessment can theoretically find its place in SET if the issues highlighted in this paper are addressed. Future research shall provide empirical evidence towards the impact of authentic assessment on student achievement.

The emergence of Arctic shipping: issues, threats, costs, and risk-mitigating strategies of the Polar Code

Commercial shipping in the Arctic region presents significant financial incentives through reduced transit times and opportunities for natural resource activities. However, it also presents significant risks for the safe navigation of vessels and increased environmental pollution. This paper describes the factors that are promoting the expansion and inhibition of commercial shipping in the Arctic region. It explains the hazards of Arctic shipping and classifies threats to the environment under oil pollution, aquatic species invasion, marine mammal displacement, and carbon emissions. The costs described relate to underwriter and insurance premiums. The paper also describes the risk-mitigating elements of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code). The paper concludes to highlight the need for a deeper understanding of associated risks by stakeholders before sea routes in the Arctic region are fully commercialised for maritime use.

Defining authentic assessment towards its achievement and implementation in seafarer education and training

ABSTRACT As evidenced from past research presented in this paper, seafarer students and employers are dissatisfied with traditional assessment methods in its ability to engage students in learning and develop skills for transfer from classrooms to the workplace. Although authentic assessments conducted in real world contexts may provide a possible solution, there is a dearth of research on it in the area of seafarer education and training (SET). Moreover, the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code 1995, that provides global, minimum standards of competence, overlooks to include authentic assessment as a method for demonstrating competence. Hence, to enhance the understanding of authentic assessment towards achieving it in SET, this paper expands on the individual characteristics provided by major authors that in combination define the concept. The characteristics are categorised under ‘tasks’ and ‘processes’ that result in the ‘outcomes’ of: higher student engagement, ability to transfer skills to different contexts, contextual and multiple evidence of competence, and valid (relevant to workplace) and reliable (multiple and consistent) student performance. Future research will design authentic assessments in SET using the defined characteristics and collect empirical evidence towards its impact on seafarer student learning and skills development.

Gender imbalance in the maritime industry: impediments, initiatives and recommendations

ABSTRACT The reality of a global gender imbalance in the workforce is undeniable. However, it is even more profound in the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry, where women make up a mere 2% of the workforce. Although the maritime industry has adopted initiatives towards closing the existing gender gap, the integration of women into the maritime industry has been at a sluggish rate due to various impediments. This paper not only traces the issue of the gender imbalance to its historical roots but also highlights the current impediments and challenges unique to the maritime industry towards achieving gender equality in its workforce. Using a review of literature, this paper also brings forward the various initiatives put in place to facilitate the integration of women into the maritime sector and suggests recommendations for the same. The paper acknowledges that women are a growing force and the need to close the gender gap is widely accepted. However, even though many initiatives have led to an increase of female presence, there is room for further efforts.

Seafarers’ perceptions of training towards compliance with the Ballast water management (BWM) convention

ABSTRACT Merchant shipping is moving more than 10 billion tons of ballast water around the world annually, placing human health at risk and causing ecological and environmental damage through the transportation of pathogens and marine aquatic species. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address this issue, is set to enter into force on the 8 September 2017. Once the Convention enters into force, seafarers conducting ballast water management (BWM) operations will need in-depth knowledge of the Convention and be proficient with standards and best practices. Lack of competence will have serious implications for seafarers (e.g. health hazards and financial penalties); and damage to the marine environment. Based on a perception survey of 25 seafarer students enrolled in their final year of training at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), this research investigates the effectiveness of maritime training providers in delivering training for seafarers certified for operational and management levels of competence, to effectively comply with the BWM Convention. The student perceptions indicated that majority of the students are satisfied with elements of BWM training which are being delivered by the AMC.