February 2016 Issue no. 11

NTHE vigator Inspiring professionalism in marine

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Building on competence Developing strengths and skills

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Y O A free publication by The Nautical Institute in association

O F R N A N with the Royal Institute of V O I G A T I David Patraiko FNI

NAV Director of Projects, The Nautical Institute Comments on competence

You’ve worked hard, studied for years, sense of responsibility beyond obeying to the next level. Some ship owners/ completed the required sea time experience what is laid out for them. Competence is managers define extra competencies related and are now the proud owner of a brand characterised by active decision-making to their business, for example specialist new Certificate of Competency (CoC). when choosing a course of action. operations or commercial knowledge. The Issued by your Flag State, this tells the world Proficiency is shown when an individual IMO is concerned with safety, security and that you are ‘competent’ to be a , develops intuition to guide their decisions environmental protection; the ship owner Second Mate, , or even Master of and devise their own rules. So, progression must try to be profitable too. a – well done! moves from rigid adherence to rules to a In this issue of The we aim to However, do you really feel like an more intuitive mode of reasoning, based on show you how to ‘build on competence’ expert? If you’re like most people, you will accumulated knowledge. and further your knowledge. We will reveal be very proud of your achievement, but In the maritime world, the IMO has tips for demonstrating your own skills and also aware that there is much more to learn identified the ‘competencies’ of a identifying those of other people. before you feel fully confident in your new navigating officer, describing them in the At The Nautical Institute, we are post. It probably took a few years in your STCW Convention and Code. Maritime delighted by the high level of support and previous role before you felt able to relax schools teach these subjects and the flag praise that The Navigator is receiving, not and trust your abilities and judgement. states then assess if you, as a student, are to mention the number of navigational So why is this, when you’ve passed your truly ‘competent’ in these areas. This fulfils officers contacting us for further learning exams and been certified as competent? their legal requirements, but should not be opportunities. We’ve set up a separate A popular theory (the Dreyfus & Dreyfus your end goal as a professional navigator. area of our website for those inspired to model of skill acquisition) suggests that a Many ship owners ask for more than just learn more. Please visit our blog at student passes through five distinct stages: the IMO-defined minimum competencies www.nautinst.org/navinspire for regular novice, competence, proficiency, expertise, in their deck officers. Instead, they require updates and new material related to issues and mastery. In the novice stage, a person them to display greater proficiency above raised in this publication. Tell your friends follows rules as given, without context or and beyond this, before they are promoted too; there’s plenty of learning to go about!

A Nautical Institute Inside this issue project sponsored by

03 ALL AT SEA 06 – 07 PERFORMANCE 08 WATCH OUT his knowledge and skills, both Contributions from readers of REVIEW Accident report: A collision ashore and at sea The Navigator Gilbert Maturan, Global involving two ships revealed 10 WAY POINT Training Manager at worrying gaps in 04 – 05 PLAN AHEAD Teekay, explains competency Dr Andy Norris discusses the NI Training and Quality Manager, how analysing importance of building on Theresa Nelson shows how performance 09 WHO’S competencies, especially when simple planning can have a places the NAVIGATING? it comes to technology at sea great effect on developing Navigational officer emphasis firmly on 11 TOP TEN professional competency developing existing Kyle Macleod Ten key things to remember throughout your career competencies reveals how he keeps on top of developing about building on competency

202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LQ, UK Editorial committee: Published by Tel:+44 (0)20 7928 1351 Fax:+44 (0)20 7401 2817 Editor Emma Ward The Nautical Institute [email protected] www.nautinst.org Design Phil McAllister The Navigator (Print) – ISSN 2058-6043 For The Nautical Institute The Navigator (Online) – ISSN 2058-6051 INSTITU L T A E With support from: 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AT, UK Bridget Hogan, Lucy Budd,

Y O Printed in the UK by O F

R Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 3134 Fax: +44 (0)20 7591 3131 David Patraiko FNI, Theresa Nelson MNI N Frontier Digital Innovation Ltd., A N V O www.rin.org.uk I G A T I For the RIN Dr Andy Norris FRIN FNI Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

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O F R N A N V O I G A TAreI you inspired? #NavInspire Visit The Navigator blog at www.nautinst.org/navinspire

2 | The Navigator | February 2016 All sea Emma Ward

If you would like to get in touch with us, please contact the editor, Emma Ward Good day! I’m a deck at [email protected], or look out onboard the vessel MOL Growth. for the LinkedIn discussion. We look Today, we received a distress message that four yachtsmen forward to hearing from you. capsized on a boat near Sepetiba, Brazil. All four were saved by our crew. This was very good practice for a young cadet. So good luck, and don’t forget, safety first! Dmitry Marushchak, Deck Cadet The most important aids to navigation of all!

I am a Master, currently serving onboard the Ethiopian Flag general cargo comments in The ship, M/V Assosa. I was happy to read the Navigator. They are just like mentors issue about CPD. It is a lifelong learning for us; in a simple way, their ideas can process, which makes us a fully-fledged change our perceptions. professional and, above all, human. Joseph Inding Jr, Second Officer Get the app Captain Sileshi Siyoum, Master I’m presently serving as Chief Officer on I hope it is smooth sailing for everyone! MSC Joy, a Malta-flagged containership I’m a South African deck cadet, doing running in the Baltic and North Sea. I’ve Join the debate on LinkedIn my second sea phase on SS Gemmata, read every issue of The Navigator since I http://www.linkedin.com/groups/ a Singapore-flagged LNG carrier. It was was a Third Officer. Nautical-Institute-1107227 always my dream to sail on tankers. The Being a seafarer is a tough job, taking Navigator has been helpful throughout my our time and a lot of nerve, but giving us Follow us on Twitter cadetship. Thanks to technology, I have something special instead, that cannot https://twitter.com/NauticalInst caught up with all the issues since October be put into words. Good seamanship 2012 via the mobile app. To all seafarers is something that is always upgrading We are active on Facebook out there, I suggest you get yourself the and developing. Sharing this knowledge https://www.facebook.com/ app and get up to speed before the hard among my colleagues and shipmates is thenauticalinstitute copy even gets onboard ship. important to me. It makes us closer; it Bonga Brian Xhakaza, Deck Cadet makes us a crew! Watch our videos on You Tube Denis Artyushin, Chief Officer http://www.youtube.com/ I am a trainee Third Officer onboard LNG Clean Ocean. The Navigator is very I’m Third Mate on board the VLCC TheNauticalInstitute informative reading. All crew members Watban, a 300,361 DWT tanker, 340 mtrs You can read a digital version of The onboard my vessel wait in line to read long and 56 mtrs wide. The remarkable each new edition with great pleasure. All thing about being on a VLCC is when you Navigator, or download it in PDF format at topics are always discussed and feedback realise the value of the cargo you carry http://www.nautinst.org/publications shared. Great job! on a routine voyage. Let’s see: we’re Andrei Romanenko, Third Officer carrying 298,258 MT (95% load), which is 2,104,246 barrels of crude oil. Multiply by Professional development is a very $45 per barrel equals about $94.7 million. inspiring topic for me. Reading about That adds even more responsibility during it was like an eye-opener for seafarers. navigation and cargo operations! There are many doors open to us, not just High standards of safety and good at sea but also onshore. I keep myself seamanship practices are the only things motivated while onboard by learning which help to avoid big environmental as fast as I can, because whatever damage, economic loss – and most We welcome your news, comments and opinions on the topics success we achieve onboard will become important, help to bring seafarers home covered in The Navigator. We reserve the right to edit letters for space reasons if necessary. Views expressed by letter contributors our tools, or passport, when working safe to their loved ones. do not necessarily reflect those held by The Nautical Institute onshore. I salute navigators sharing their Max Khromov, Third Officer

February 2016 | The Navigator | 3 Competence: Planning ahead

You are a young, junior officer. You have been trained and have received a Certificate of Competency. You join a ship and are given responsibility for your own navigational watch. Are you ready? Do you know everything you need to know? If not, how do you go about learning, now you aren’t at nautical school anymore and don’t have any instructors to guide you or a task book to show you what you’re supposed to know?

4 | The Navigator | February 2016 Competence: Planning ahead

he first thing you should do as Perhaps you don’t know how to carry out questions and challenges you encounter. a navigating officer in a brand the trial manoeuvre on your ship’s radar. This may be a means of establishing a new role is go back to what you Another officer explains it to you. If you relationship that can become of great have already learned and apply don’t make notes of what he or she tells benefit to you. Never hesitate to ask a it to your current situation. All you, it will be difficult to remember the next question if you don’t know something, or seafarersT learn that in , time you try to perform that function. You have any doubt, or are uncertain about one must Appraise – Plan – Execute – might look in the radar manual. Again, if you what you should do. Monitor (IMO Resolution A.893(21) ), in don’t make your own notes, you will not be order to navigate safely between two able to consolidate the knowledge in your Execute points. The same model can be used own mind. By taking notes, you are putting You know what you need to learn and you to steer a course towards becoming a the information into your own words, have developed a plan. Now you need to competent navigator. deepening your understanding. A photo carry the plan out. This will be the hardest taken on a phone can aid a visual learner. part. Being a competent navigator is only a Appraise Look for manufacturers’ demonstrations part of the responsibilities you will have as Figure out what your strengths and on the internet, or for onboard computer a deck officer. You may need to carry out weaknesses are. For example, if you based training (CBT) if you are an audio/ safety checks, take part in drills and work have just obtained your Certificate visual learner. cargo. Somewhere, you’d also like to find of Competency, you may have the Keeping a record serves several time to eat and sleep! You may be tempted International Regulations for the Prevention purposes. First, it helps you to understand not to take 15 minutes to review the IRPCS of Collision at Sea (IRPCS) memorised and something better by putting it into your or spend the half hour it takes to read about be able to identify any light or signal that own words. Second, it makes it easier to trail manoeuvres on the radar. You’d much you see or hear. On the other hand, you recover the information – it is your record rather watch a movie. may not be familiar with the radar or radio and so you know where to look for it when Just remember, everything you learn equipment onboard your particular ship. you need it. Third, if you are persistent in now is up to you. You must motivate Over your first few days or weeks, note keeping a record you will soon realise how yourself. In order to execute your plan with down these strengths and weaknesses. much you have learned. Lastly, it is a way of success, you need to eat well, get as much Don’t become disheartened if there are evidencing your professional development sleep as you can and stay physically fit so a lot of things you don’t seem to know – (see The Navigator, issue 9). you can remain mentally alert. An excellent everyone with more experience than you resource for learning about these matters is started in exactly the same place! The Nautical Institute’s publication, Human NEVER HESITATE TO Performance and Limitation for Mariners. Plan Since you may be in charge of a ASK A QUESTION IF Monitor navigational watch, which means that the YOU DON’T KNOW The only way you’ll know if you are making safety of the crew, cargo and ship is in your progress is if you monitor your plan. At hands, it is imperative that, once you have SOMETHING, OR HAVE the end of each day, see if you have met identified your strengths and weaknesses, ANY DOUBT, OR ARE the daily goals you set for yourself when you make a plan to address them as planning. At the end of the week, see what quickly as possible. UNCERTAIN ABOUT you have accomplished. Reflect on what Why should you address your strengths? WHAT YOU SHOULD DO went well with your plan and what didn’t. If you know something well, but don’t Think about how you feel: are you pleased practice or review it, you will experience with your progress and proud that you are what is known as ‘skill or knowledge fade’. An important part of any plan is to set becoming a more competent navigator? Or In other words, you will forget. In planning, goals. Just as you set estimated times do you wish you hadn’t spent the last three you must allow time to regularly review of arrival and departure for the various days watching the entire season eight of the things that you know well so that the ports you will call at on your passage, you Dexter, instead of familiarising yourself with knowledge doesn’t fade. should set estimates for how long it will the ECDIS on your ship? In addressing weaknesses, you need take to address the weaknesses you have Even if your plan falls apart for a few to develop a plan of attack. To start with, identified, as well as how much time you days, don’t give up – get yourself back on identify strategies that work for you. Are will spend reviewing the things you know so track and arrive at the end of your passage you good at learning something by reading you do not forget them. It might help to set a competent and experienced navigator. about it? Do you remember better if you a goal of what you want to learn by the end hear about something? Or do you need of the week and then break that big goal to draw pictures and diagrams? Whatever into smaller, daily chunks. Author: Theresa Nelson MNI, way you learn best, you will need to have Part of your plan may be to find a Training and Quality Manager, a record of the things that you learn. Why mentor. Try to find someone onboard The Nautical Institute is this important? Let’s take an example. ship with whom you can speak about the

February 2016 | The Navigator | 5 COMPETENCE: BUILD ON YOUR SKILLS Building on competence As technology advances, competencies that are required today will not be the same as those needed tomorrow. Gilbert Maturan describes how global maritime company Teekay supports its people in their quest to build on competency at sea

or young officers starting out, SCOPE Process – This diagram shows an overview of the SCOPE process components and the process of completing years how they contribute to Teekay competency standards (see case study). of maritime education, carrying out the required sea experience, attending shore-based training Fcourses and acquiring the Certificate of Self-appraisal (personal and Competency issued by their flag state can professional aspirations 10%: learning and goals) be considered quite a feat in itself. Yet, in from shore- zzPersonal aspirations meeting STCW standards, they have only based training zzSelf assessment courses achieved the minimum entry requirements, zzGaps against company prior to deployment onboard a vessel. structure Once employed, they must complete further company-specific training and meet higher standards that go beyond the “minimum competencies”. Shore support: managing the Sign-on interviews This raises a vital question for officers. promotion process and shore- Are you ready to rise to the challenge of based training activities zzPrioritize learning and development needs using the zzTraining courses, books, becoming an excellent navigator? COMPETENCY competencies as a guide e-learning Here are some practical tips to STANDARDS zzReview progress on zzWorkshops and Teekay previous vessel help you build on your competence – conferences zzCreate a learning plan for zzShore assignments and confidence: the tour of duty zzProjects Know your competence 1Carry out an accurate and honest appraisal of your competence against the Intermediate and sign-off expectations of your company. Identify interview 30%: learning your strengths and weaknesses, along with through zzOnboard experience any gaps in your knowledge or skills that interaction (assessment, hands-on 60%: hands-on training) need addressing. (coaching and learning on mentoring) zzCoaching, role models, CBTs board zzFeedback on performance: Create your learning and readiness for next rank zzIdentify training needs 2 development plan Write down your personal aspirations and learning goals for the future, again based on what your company expects of you. If Be proactive and engaged Look for role models, coach the company has a competence matrix, 3 Be enthusiastic and show a positive 4 and mentors use this as a guide. Prioritise areas that attitude to all your tasks, seeing them as Observe your colleagues and take are critical to your tasks/duties for your opportunities for hands-on learning onboard inspiration from positive role models. specific tour of duty. Discuss them with ship. You can supplement this by reading Be open to learn from people with more a senior officer or supervisor to see how manuals and studying operating procedures experience than you and take the initiative to you might be able to work towards your etc. Engage with all drills and training approach mentors/assessors and ask them learning goals. exercises to hone your proficiency. to evaluate your performance and give you

6 | The Navigator | February 2016 COMPETENCE: BUILD ON YOUR SKILLS

feedback. It will help build your confidence if Case study: a third party confirms that you can do your job properly, and allow you to identify any gaps that need to be addressed. How Teekay offers SCOPE Make the most of your for developing 5 performance reviews Make sure you keep track of your own progress in achieving your learning and Teekay’s ‘Seafarer Competence for definition focuses on overall knowledge development goals. You need to show a Operational Excellence’ (‘SCOPE’) and understanding, as well as consistently positive attitude, and maintain initiative is well established and aptitude, experience and, finally, attitude a high level of knowledge and skills onboard recognised by the industry as a top and motivation. to achieve a positive report. competence management system. Finally, Teekay has identified a set Designed to improve all seafarers’ of required competencies for all ranks Attend shore-based performances, it is based on best of seafarer, divided into two main 6 trainings courses practices developed by Teekay. SCOPE groups. Firstly, there are the skills and Any gaps in your competencies not offers Teekay employees a clearly knowledge, based on the company’s addressed while onboard should be defined career management path, own best practices, that employees must prioritised after you have completed the tour from recruitment to training, including demonstrate alongside their basic STCW of duty and disembarked from your vessel. transitions to positions ashore. It sets competencies. These enable seafarers Coming ashore gives you the chance out one single standard to assess each to carry out their role onboard ship safely to attend shore-based training courses, seafarer according to what is expected of and successfully. Secondly, those in e-learnings, workshops and conferences. someone of their rank. management positions must also possess leadership behaviour competencies that Remember that it’s a TEEKAY BELIEVES THAT LEARNING HAPPENS allow them to lead and work with others. 7 cyclical process AS FOLLOWS: Each Teekay competency is valid for When returning to your vessel, repeat the five years, starting from the date the process described above until you feel that you competency was successfully achieved. have achieved your development goals and 10% After five years, seafarers are then are confident enough to carry out your duties courses formally re-assessed and revalidated to the best of your abilities and be promoted to to ensure that they remain up-to-date the next rank, once you are ready. and confident in their knowledge and skills. All Teekay seafarers have their own To be an excellent navigator, you must 30% HOW WE Continuing Professional Development set your mind towards a positive attitude mentoring LEARN 60% (CPD) portfolio, or structured professional towards building on competency and onboard career development plan. This documents realise that it is a continuous process of the results of their competence learning and developing skills. If this can be assessments and analyses how well they anchored on a well-structured professional perform during their day job. It allows career development plan – whether it is for continuous improvement, provides one developed by a company, like the one opportunities for career development and in the case study, set out by a professional is a highly effective mechanism for giving body, or even developed by yourself – you 60% of learning occurs onboard, through and receiving feedback. can be certain that you are on the right practical, hands-on experience The aims of Teekay’s CPD strategy are path to success. as follows: 30% takes place through interaction with To provide a framework for discussion, peers (coaching and mentoring) support and encouragement by the seafarer’s line manager Are you inspired? 10% comes from formal, short courses taken To set goals that will lead to improved while ashore competence and performance of the individual, greater teamwork and overall Teekay also carefully defines improved organisational performance Tell us at ‘competence’, referring not only to a To provide a tool to manage performance person’s overall ability, but also their objectively and achieve strategic #NavInspire motivation to fulfil their defined role safely company objectives, while fulfilling and successfully when judged against Teekay’s philosophy of promoting from the company’s exacting standards. This within the fleet where possible.

February 2016 | The Navigator | 7 watch o ut In this series, we take a look at maritime accident reports and the lessons that can be learned

Collision highlights competency gaps

What happened? A general cargo ship and a were travelling in a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) at night when they collided, causing damage to both Why did it happen? vessels. The collision was brought about by the cargo ship turning into the The Second Officer was relatively path of the bulk carrier in order to avoid a fishing trawler in the vicinity. inexperienced and had never taken Weather conditions were clear and visibility was good. The general the watch alone at night before. He cargo vessel was on an autopilot-controlled route and the Second Officer didn’t call for help from the Master had just taken over the watch. On checking the radar, the Second Officer or other senior officer, and did not took note of the bulk carrier’s presence. He later spotted a fishing trawler have adequate situational awareness off the starboard bow, but did not use any AIS data to find out her status himself to cope with the situation. The Second Officer on the general cargo ship assessed that his ship He did not make proper use of needed to give way to the trawler. However, the trawler’s skipper was visual checks, nor the navigational also making arrangements to change course. An intervention on the radio equipment at his disposal, so was by Dover Coastguard was timely and well-intended but, inadvertently, it unable to react in good time to almost certainly influenced the Second Officer on the general cargo ship course changes made by the other into taking action, altering course towards the bulk carrier. The Second vessels involved. By the time he Officer gave no sound signal to warn of the change of course. He also realised what was happening, he was failed to notice the bulk carrier’s proximity to his vessel. At no point did he unable to prevent the collision. check visually, nor by radar, that his intended manoeuvres were safe. The resultant switch in direction caused his ship to collide with the bulk carrier.

What changes have been made? The ship manager has adopted a more The issues structured approach to the training and The Second Officer was very inexperienced and development of its junior officers. It also he had not yet developed sufficient competency issued instructions to its fleet regarding the to keep a bridge watch in the Dover Strait at use of an additional lookout and electronic night by himself. aids for collision avoidance. After taking action to avoid the fishing vessel, he The Merchant Navy Training Board has was uncertain as to the action he should take started to prepare guidance for companies next and he lost situational awareness. and seagoing officers covering junior officer Although it was dark, the Second Officer on the development and confidence building. general cargo vessel was not supported by an In addition, the Maritime and Coastguard additional lookout. He did not call for the Master, Agency has taken action aimed at nor anyone else to double check his decisions. improving the vessel traffic services The Master’s decision to allow an inexperienced provided by Dover Coastguard. officer to keep the bridge watch by himself in the Dover Strait at night was ill-judged and contrary to international requirements.

This summary is an edited version of UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report 25/2014

If you find our accident reports useful, check out The Nautical Institute’s Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS). A fully searchable database of incident reports and lessons, updated every month. Seen a problem yourself? Email the editor at

Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme [email protected] and help others learn from your experience. All reports are confidential – we will never identify you or your ship.

8 | The Navigator | February 2016 WHO’S Navigating? Never stop learning! Navigational officer,Kyle MacLeod talks about why he loves his life at sea and how he builds on his competencies and skills, both onboard ship and ashore

What interested you in building a that you need to take advantage of every career at sea? Name: Kyle MacLeod opportunity for training that presents itself. When I decided to go to sea, I knew I Current position: Second Officer wanted to be a deck officer; there was How could the shipping industry never any question of being an engineer Training: Glasgow College of Nautical better support mariners in building on (although I do like learning about that Studies, Scotland their competencies? side of things). I’ve always liked the travel Where practicality allows, I would like aspect of the job, as well as the skills and to see more online training available one day being different to the next. I didn’t learn or a new challenge to overcome. You to seafarers. It already exists in many fancy the idea of working ‘nine to five’. It’s plan as much as you can, but there are companies. Distance learning or online a job where hard work can see you rise always changes. Dealing with problems learning and certification have obvious relatively quickly throughout the ranks. and overcoming obstacles can be advantages to seafarers. Many don’t I can certainly say that my life has been tremendously satisfying, especially as your necessarily like having to attend courses more interesting since I came to sea. experience grows. Time off is nice, but I when they are home and prefer to always look forward to going back to sea. include training as part of their daily work What were your thoughts when you You quickly become as comfortable at sea schedule. There are still many ships that first went to sea? as you are at home. don’t have the internet or the resources I was excited when I joined my first onboard to cater to this, although I vessel, but after the first few days I felt a How do you keep up with building on understand this is improving all the time. little overwhelmed. There was so much your training and skills, both at sea to learn on the bridge and on deck. It and ashore? took me a few weeks to prioritise my As a junior officer, I’ve found that you learning. Eventually, I found my stride. It never stop learning. New technologies eventually sinks in that you are on your are constantly evolving alongside way to becoming an officer. Overall, I traditional skills. A lot of the time you don’t found the experience exciting. I couldn’t even notice that you’re improving your wait to get home and tell everyone what competencies. It’s not until you have a bit I’d been up to. A lot happens during a of experience that you can look back at four-month trip. yourself a year or two ago and realise how far you’ve come. Through reading and What do you like best about teaching from more experienced officers, working at sea? as well as courses ashore, I keep on top This might sound like a cliché, but the of my professional best thing is that every day is different. It is development. It never boring. There is always a new skill to goes without saying

February 2016 | The Navigator | 9 waypoint Dr Andy Norris FRIN FNI Exploring competencies

Dr Andy Norris, an active Fellow of The Nautical Institute and the Royal Institute of Navigation, looks beyond basic competencies and asks how navigators can build on what they already know

There is no limit to the degree of competence that can be achieved in a job USEFUL LINKS as demanding as a bridge officer. Raising www.imo.org – International Maritime Organization your own competence not only reduces the likelihood of your decisions contributing to www.iho.int – International Hydrographic Organization an accident, but also significantly increases www.iala-aism.org – International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities the chances of bettering your career. An important part of enhanced competence is in staying up to date with the emerging issues within the maritime world, electromechanical systems) and, more well before they contribute to formal training AN IMPORTANT recently, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and legislation. Keep an eye on news PART OF ENHANCED principles. Understanding more about such about the latest maritime accidents – would systems highlights their important potential you have been misled under the same COMPETENCE IS IN advantages – they are totally independent circumstances? Also, visit websites such STAYING UP TO DATE of any system external to the vessel and as those of IMO, IHO and IALA regularly, to cannot be jammed. see the direction that international thinking WITH THE EMERGING Perhaps this knowledge helps emphasise is going and how it might affect future ISSUES WITHIN THE the advantages of using established dead navigation-related tasks. This will help reckoning/estimated positioning (DR/ you fully understand the reasons behind MARITIME WORLD EP) techniques at sea. All modern ECDIS proposed changes, most of which are systems have a DR/EP mode that operates directed at enhancing safety, perhaps in parallel to the normal GNSS-based system, areas where you never realised there was greatly simplifying the technique. Few an issue. This will greatly help your own navigating officers seem to use this facility, awareness of potential problems. even though it could be invaluable in An area often overlooked is navigation- detecting gross GNSS problems, particularly related research into technology. Much of decisions on the actions needing to be in ocean waters. Admittedly, you have to be the work in this field is aimed at reducing taken as a result. Somewhat ironically, most knowledgeable to use it – but that is what weaknesses in our present systems, some of maritime users of GNSS actually experience enhancing your own competence is all about. them quite newly recognised. For example, very high levels of availability and accuracy, Good use of web search engines, at least many bridge officers have only recently giving the false impression that technology when onshore, will help you keep in touch become aware of the vulnerabilities of is always right. with evolving navigation technology. Simply Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) entering the term ‘navigation technology’ to simple jamming and interference, even Technical details results in numerous interesting links. Do though this has been causing ever-increased Because of the vulnerabilities of GNSS, check the origins of the source, but just discussion by specialists over many years. and not just jamming and interference about every link resulting from this particular Of course, all bridge officers have possibilities, technologists have put in a lot search item will lead to interesting and often been taught never to rely on any single of effort into looking at alternative systems highly valuable information. In addition, the navigational aid – but detailed knowledge to satellite positioning. For example, there websites of the Royal Institute of Navigation about potential problems really assists has been a huge growth of interest in inertial and similar bodies offer great insights into you in detecting them, and improves your systems based on MEMS (micro-machined how the wider navigational world is evolving.

Contact RIN at: www.rin.org.uk | 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AT | Tel: +44 (0)20 7591 3134

10 | The Navigator | February 2016

5 Write it down Keeping a journal of your goals and learning activities helps you plan and reflect on your professional development. It is also useful to review your progress regularly, so you don’t forget what you’ve already learnt. The Nautical Institute’s CPD scheme is an excellent way to do this.

take 6 Embrace all things new In this issue of , we have looked at how The industry is always evolving. By monitoring new developments The Navigator in technology and regulations, you will prepare yourself to use them to build on competencies10 to improve knowledge and effectively and become more aware of any existing deficiencies. skills. Here are ten points to remember 7 Mentoring matters 1 Observe colleagues and take inspiration from those who are Well done! positive role models. Be open to learning and ask mentors/ Completing years of maritime education and sea experience, assessors to evaluate your performance and provide feedback attending shore-based training courses and acquiring your while you demonstrate your skills. Certificate of Competency (CoC) are all feats in themselves. Once you have met STCW minimum standard, the next stage of your journey begins. 8 Ready resources In addition to onboard learning materials and shore-based 2 courses, there is a wealth of information online, including Proficiency = competency + experience manuals, trade journals, video tutorials and, of course, Understand that a lot of experience and further learning will be books from respected publishers like The Nautical Institute. needed, in order to build on your competency. 9 3 Performance review Planning makes perfect Periodically review your performance and reset your learning Create personal aspirations and learning goals using a objectives. It may be useful to seek advice from others about competence matrix as guide. Prioritise learning critical to your what future learning goals might include. tasks for the tour of duty. 10 4 Pass it on Be positive Recognise that every navigation officer on the bridge must Always be enthusiastic; hands-on learning onboard is extremely continually learn and gain experience. Help them do that by sharing helpful, as is reading manuals, operating procedures and CBTs. your knowledge with those junior and senior to you. Maintain Get actively involved in all drills/training to hone your proficiency. realistic expectations of other people’s levels of competency.

Are you inspired? #NavInspire Visit The Navigator blog at www.nautinst.org/navinspire

February 2016 | The Navigator | 11 WIN AN iPAD

October 2015 Issue no. 10 NTHE vigator Inspiring professionalism in marine navigators We want to see who is reading The Navigator! Just post a FREE picture of you with your Navigator on Twitter, including the hashtag #NAVsnap, or send us a message on Facebook with your photo attached (www.facebook.com/thenauticalinstitute) Aids to aigation and tell us the name of your ship or your college, if you have Casting light on the issues one. Or send us the information in an email! One reader per

T INS ITU L T A E Y

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R F A free publication by N A N The Nautical Institute V with the I G A T I O Royal Institute of Navigation in association

The Navigator - October 2015.indd 1 issue will win an iPad mini as a thank you.

17/11/2015 11:21

AND the winner this issue is… Congratulations to our Navsnap winner Hamza Belmedani, second mate onboard the LPG carrier Rhourd El Fares

Hamza Belmedani N vigator CHAMPION