The need for improved curriculum development in marine simulation training

The professional competence of mariners is coming under increasing public scrutiny. Marine accidents have resulted in substantial loss of life, extensive marine pollution and damage to the environment. The impact and public perception of maritime disasters emphasise the need for improved mariner performance and, consequently, the need for better training. The training of mariners is a shared responsibility of the mariner, training establishments, the shipping companies, pilot associations, marine licensing authorities, the unions and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Such training has developed over a long period of time in a conservative industry with traditional practices. The use of simulation has not dovetailed easily into overall mariner training and seems to have developed on an ad hoc basis, often depending on the initiatives of individual training establishments working with various shipping companies. There is little validation of the courses and no measurement of the success or otherwise of the training on a national or international basis. The instructional process is central to the aim of simulation based training. Simulators by themselves do not train; it is the way they are used that yields the benefit. Consequently, it follows that such benefit must be as a result of an approved programme of training with a clearly defined aim and structured objectives, carefully designed scenarios and qualified instructors. Little or no benefit is derived from the mere possession of a simulator or other training device. Instructional design is a relatively new process and the aim of this paper is to provide guidance as to how simulation based training can be developed as part of existing and future overall training programmes, where and when it will be effective and how it should be used.