Admiralty launches ENC training packages
Ahead of the first ECDIS Mandate deadline coming into force last month, Admiralty, the brand of UK Government agency UKHO, launched a new series of training tools.
The Admiralty Guide to the Practical Use of ENC is intended to help address the issue of a proper understanding of how to use ENCs.
If the maritime industry is to realise the full benefits of ECDIS, it is essential that bridge watchkeepers are properly trained to be confident and proficient in planning and conducting navigation with ENCs on ECDIS and back of bridge systems.
The new series of training tools aimed at mariners and training colleges includes the following:
– Two new Nautical Publications:NP231 the Admiralty Guide to the Practical Use of ENCs and NP5012 the Admiralty Guide to ENC Symbols used in ECDIS
– A new one day training course:Thisinstructor-led course run by Admiralty experts has been designed specifically for nationally accredited maritime lecturers or industry training professionals.
– A supporting computer based training (CBT) course:This programme is designed to complement the instructor-led training and new nautical publications.
Admiralty has also announced the first 50 ECDIS training places that have been awarded as part of its global ECDIS training campaign. The winning mariners will now undertake comprehensive ECDIS training at maritime colleges around the world.
A second draw, to award a further 50 ECDIS training courses, will take place in September 2012. Mariners can enter via the campaign website or the Admiralty Facebook page.
This campaign offers qualified bridge officers of international trading ships the chance to win a place on a generic ECDIS training course based on the IMO Model Course 1.27 (Operational use of ECDIS). The training campaign is part of a series of ‘Digital Navigation Insights’ initiatives designed to help the maritime community safely and successfully integrate digital navigation into ship and shore-side operations.
