Generic ECDIS Training Insert Subhead Observations and Concerns 3 May 2013 16 th June 2014 Captain John Gates Head Teacher, Maritime Studies
Maritime Studies Hunter TAFE, Newcastle N.S.W.
Hunter TAFE Maritime Studies and Generic ECDIS Gained approval from AMSA in late 2011 Commenced delivery in February 2012 Deck Watch Keeper Students Existing Seafarers
Hunter TAFE Maritime Studies and Generic ECDIS Concerns Observations Arising from delivery
Exciting time for Navigation ECDIS navigators will Develop Techniques Develop Good Practice Display Bad Practice
Our course is very manual A look under the hood
MSC 232 What an ECDIS must do
L3-HSA Endeavour Software of choice Requirements of MSC 232 demonstrated easily
No "Bling" Program lacks add ons or conveniences Maintains focus on Generic Principles
Route Planning A good example Planned at an ECDIS station Transferred manually via portable media to ship simulator
Manual application of updates Students employ the regime of Permits Base Updates
Delivery Tasks Repeated delivery of the course has revealed there are misconceptions in regard to ECDIS Structure ECDIS Functions ECDIS Operation
Developing Generic skills A primary objective of Model Course 1.27 Staff delivering the course
Misconceptions It is important to uncover the student s misconceptions Just as important to correct
Traditional skills Emphasise traditional skills Not discarded or forgotten Traditional skills are still employed New Techniques
Three types of Navigation T E L
1. T Traditional Terrestrial Celestial
2. E E Navigation
3. L Any ideas? Look out of the window
Simulator playback Review of videos
Perceptions when first attending I have sailed with ECDIS
Unaware of the requirement for Data Software Hardware Training
Regular positioning It s not necessary Why? GPS does it!
Requires GPS to operate Without GPS ECDIS is useless! Traditional skills Position Fixing Dead reckoning
Paper Charts There are none
Pause.. We now realise, as instructors More than learning software Developing techniques to interface effectively with ECDIS Allocating new tasks to the Watch keeper
New Tasks? Navigator as Navigation & Data Monitor Answering Alarms and Finding the cause of the alarm
Four Questions We Ask The computer behind you...can you positively identify what each cable is?
Backup of Data Who backs up their personal data? 70 60 50 40 30 Occasionally Regularly Continuously 20 10 0 Data Backup
Back up 83% of all students stated they still do not back up regularly even though they have lost data
Formal computer training 80 Computer Training 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Computer Training No Training Some training Formal training
Formal GPS training GPS Training No Training Received Training
Computers Evidence of Poor grounding in computer work ECDIS operators need to be comfortable around computers
ECDIS Units Are they Complexity tamed? Or Difficult to operate System differences
Back up of data Essential that operators have either Methodical and systematic approaches Or An integrated procedure within the unit
GPS Essential requirement Operation of Equipment Analysis of equipment and data Checking input to ECDIS Garbage in Garbage out
PSC inspections Acquisition of Generic skills Essential to all Navigating Officers Marine Order 07/2012 demonstration of operational competency by the ships navigating officers (e.g. safety checking of a voyage plan)
Positives First experience is simulated
Second Officer Chart corrections Chart maintenance Passage planning PI s and passage notes
Watch keepers Positive target identification when interfaced with AIS Readily available positional and situational information Collision threat analysis
Masters Appreciate consolidation of information
Final assessment exercise ECDIS in an operational scenario Students interact with each other and the ECDIS
Deviation competency Students are asked to deviate from the planned route Usually within a channel Requires prompt planning of the deviation High percentage cannot do this Economically or Effectively
Dexterity determined by familiarity Familiarity with the software More importantly Familiarity with manipulating computer output
Three mantras As long as ECDIS is being operated properly When you can do everything on an electronic chart that you could do on a paper chart you may have just mastered ECDIS Practice new techniques to enable you to use your skills with ECDIS
Conclusions Many conclusions In relation to this topic
Conclusions From our observations; 1. Generic Skills are most easily acquired by those possessing computer skills 2. Navigational ability does not impede acquisition 3. ECDIS will contribute to Navigational Competence only if 1 & 2 are effectively combined