Refresher Training in Maritime Qualification

Abstract

Maritime education and training have followed strict regulations since 1978 when the International Convention on Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping was established. Since then, many training courses were developed. The International Maritime Organization divided them in two groups, which are both contents from STCW Part A and Part B. Since the competences in Part A are mandatory for all seafarers and the competences in Part B are recommended, maritime education and training are perceived from the students and trainees in different ways. The refresher training is part of the above problem. The main reason behind the distrustful attitude towards refresher courses as recommended training is the question: "Who has to pay for them". The next problem, which usually arises, concerns the time that the seafarers need to spend for additional training. Both questions make shipping companies cautious in their requirements towards the crewmembers regarding refresher training. The third problem concerning refresher training is the level of competency of the trainers and instructors. Many seafarers neglect this kind of training just because they have more experience and skills than the instructors do. The article summarizes the authors experience in the educational and training processes in the field of postgraduate education and training. It analyzes research from questionnaires carried out in different shipping companies with regard to seafarers operating on board of different types of vessels.