Type specific ECDIS training DVD available

PC Maritime has taken the view that the required training should be made as convenient as possible to the customer.

Anne Edmonds, PC Maritime’s marketing director explained, “One Navmaster ECDIS type training DVD onboard can be used by any number of ship’s officers, as and when their time permits. Internet access is not required, although we will later add a web based version for shore use. The DVD will enable our customers worldwide to comply with the STCW requirement that all watchkeeping officers must have familiarisation training in the ECDIS they use. To complete the whole course will take about eight hours, after which a controlled assessment test can be taken and a competency certificate issued.”

Ms Edmonds said that computer based training (CBT) is effective, repeatable and gives the shipowner greater flexibility to move officers between ships. Most fleets have more than one ECDIS supplier. With the Navmaster DVD onboard, a navigating officer could join a Navmaster equipped ship and be competent and certified in operating the ship’s ECDIS within a short time, thus meeting Flag and Port State requirements.

“We believe the DVD will simplify familiarisation training for Navmaster ECDIS users. It requires only a PC and email, and overcomes the logistical issue of getting officers to attend type specific courses.”

The Navmaster ECDIS course gives thorough and interactive training in all aspects of Navmaster operation, divided into lessons. Each lesson provides voice-over and text explanations, and video sequences demonstrating on-screen processes. The user interacts frequently during training, carrying out actions exactly as they would be done on Navmaster ECDIS. At the end of each topic the user must answer questions to reinforce the learning.

An Assessment section contains the entire bank of questions so that a test can be taken under controlled conditions and documented. PC Maritime sets a statistically sound pass rate, the user cannot achieve a pass by guessing. On passing the Assessment, a temporary certificate is produced to email to PC Maritime with proof of supervision and identity in order to meet a company’s Safety Management System procedures.