Using Simulation to Train Merchant Mariners

Northwestern Michigan College1701 E Front Street Traverse City, Michigan 49686-30611-800-748-0566, Extension 1200

www.nmc.edu/maritime

Using Simulation to Train Merchant Mariners

*Merchant Marine Training in the United States

*Seven Maritime Academies*One federal and six state*All are regulated by the US Maritime

Administration (MARAD)*All fall under 46 CFR Subchapter 310*Numerous other facilities, both public and

private.

*What 46 CFR 310 requires

*If operating with federal aid:*Uniforms*Regulations*Must take, and pass license*Must admit out of state students at in

state rate (to at least 10% on incoming class)

* US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point)

* US Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point)

*Established by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936*One of five Federal Service Academies*All Midshipmen in the regiment, age/

physical requirements similar to other service academies*Passing of license a pre-requisite for

graduation

* State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College

Bronx, NY

* State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College

*Located in the Bronx, NY*Founded in 1874 aboard Training Ship St.

Mary*Became land based in 1934, one of the last

acts by then NY Governor Franklin Roosevelt.*Enrollment consists of: non regiment students

in a non license curriculum; regimented students in a non licensed curriculum; regimented students in a licensed curriculum.

*Massachusetts Maritime Academy

*Massachusetts Maritime Academy

*Similar to NY as it began as an institution located aboard a training ship (1891) and moved to a shore based facility in 1936.*Currently located in Buzzard’s Bay, MA.*All cadets are in the regiment (I believe),

but not all are in a curriculum that will lead to a license.

* California Maritime Academy (CMA)

* California Maritime Academy (CMA)

*Established by California in 1929*Funding stabilized after passage of the

Merchant Marine Act of 1936*Located in Vallejo, CA*Currently part of the California State

University System.*Only Maritime Academy on the west coast*Student model similar to SUNY Maritime

College

*Maine Maritime Academy

*Maine Maritime Academy

*One of only three State Academies with Naval ROTC (others being NY and TX)*Established by Maine Legislature in 1941*The only entity in zip code 04420*Currently located in Castine, ME*Also has regimented/ non regimented and

licensed/ non licensed programs

*Texas Maritime

*Texas Maritime

*A division of Texas A&M*Established in 1962*Located in Galveston, TX*Graduates are considered “Aggies” and

are authorized to wear the TX A&M ring same as graduates of the College Station, TX campus

Great Lakes Maritime Academy

*Great Lakes Maritime Academy

*A division of Northwestern Michigan College.*The 1st Community College in Michigan to

award a Bachelor’s Degree (January 2014).*Degree was: Bachelor’s of Science Maritime

Technology.*Michigan law enacted in Dec 2012 authorized

Community Colleges to award Bachelor’s Degrees in four disciplines: Maritime Technology, Energy Production, Culinary, and Cement Technology.

* Why do we use simulation?

Why?*Cost: cost of operating an “unlimited tonnage”

vessel can exceed $50K per day.*Other than electricity required to operate the

simulator, heat, lights, it is “green.”*A cadet can experience limitless weather/ sea

state scenarios over the course of a semester. If underway on a vessel he/ she may/ may not experience these; he/ she certainly would not be in charge of a bridge watch on a commercial vessel (as a cadet) during these times.

*Why do we use simulation?

*Habit transfer: learn and develop the skills you’ll need when at sea, in a safe environment. *Prototype new procedures: LNG tanks,

weapons, night vision goggles, anti-piracy tactics.*Develop the operating envelope.

*Why do we use simulation?

*Build confidence!*When a cadet transitions from the

simulator, to the training ship, when he/ she is docking the ship, for real, the first time, they’ll be on the bridge with the same instructors they were with in the simulator.*“You can do this, you've done it before!”

*Why do we use simulation?

*Accident review and reconstruction.*The vast majority of major marine

casualties are due to human error.*In a simulator we can place a cadet in the

same operating environment as Exxon Valdez, Esso Sea Witch, S/S Stockholm, or in scenarios that we know will challenge the cadet and there is a 100% chance they’ll encounter after graduation (e.g. fog, traffic).

*Why do we use simulation?

*Allows evaluation that is based on an objective set of scenarios.*Exams can be very good, but they only

test so much. An exam that incorporates the simulator allows us to evaluate how a cadet performs in the workplace they are training to enter. It also allows us to evaluate how they will perform as part of a team (Bridge Resource Management).

*Why do we use simulation?

*If the cadet challenges a score it’s all on tape!*Body language is recorded.*This is critical for reviewing performance, by

the end of the semester a cadet is given a scenario, and no oversight. A scenario that would not be safe (or legal) on a commercial vessel.*They can then sit with the instructor and

evaluate their performance while watching it on tape.

*How can industry benefit?

*Track performance gaps in the fleet.*Why is there a tendency to overshoot a

pier, come in too shallow.*Simulation allows an operator and their

senior captains the ability to track these gaps, and determine if a change is for the better.*LNG

*Don’t call me to the bridge to be a

witness

*Ships are machines, the operators need to be able to know the limits.*Simulation allows a cadet to push the

envelope in a safe environment.*Practice! *Tremendous cost savings (over time).*The cost of running a large vessel can be

greater than $50K/ day, even our vessel is $10K a day.

*T/ S State of Michigan

*Commercial Vessels

It is required by law

*U.S. Merchant Marine training is regulated by United States law (Code of Federal Regulations Subpart 46 (46 CFR), and the international treaty Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).*All cadets who began their training on or after 2013

must have instruction in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).*Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

equipment has effectively replaced the radio officer. A GMDSS endorsement is required for an ocean license. *A modern simulator is required for ECDIS, while GMDSS

can be taught using laptops it is not ideal. Use of a simulator gives a much more realistic presentation.

* How was it done previously?

*Manned models was the preferred methodology prior to the advent of the modern bridge simulator.

Disadvantages of Manned Models

*Location, the academic institution must have access to a waterfront.*Weather: they don’t break ice well.*Cost: computers are much less expensive to

maintain and upgrade than small vessels.*Limited ability to simulate crossing and/ or

heavy weather issues.*Cannot accurately model other ports.*No ability to develop Bridge Team Management

skills.

*How is it imbedded into the curriculum?

*Coast Guard approval allows for 30 days (of 360) sea time on simulators.*ECDIS/ GMDSS use simulation.*Simulator is also required for the Bridge

Resource Management (BRM) Course.*BRM is required by USCG/ STCW.*Aviation is (much) further ahead.

Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

(STCW Code)

*International Treaty, developed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). U.S. is signatory, it is incorporated into U.S. law.*STCW can best be viewed as an “international

reflection of your domestic license.” Somewhat similar to an international drivers license.*Unfortunately the STCW Code is more geared

toward trade schools than degree granting institutions.

*STCW Code

*STCW is based on the assessment of Knowledge, Understanding, and Proficiencies (KUPs).*These can be accessed in a number of

ways, such as a hands on demonstration, or attendance at an “approved course.”*Written exams are not acceptable for

demonstration of an STCW KUP.*STCW is grappling with simulation at this

time.

*Retention

*Has effectively eliminated a large pool of qualified and motivated potential Merchant Mariners; honorably discharged and/ or retired USN/ USCG mariners.*Maintaining a license is also costly, this an

area of opportunity for community colleges.

*Portfolio of Credentials

*Licenses have not been unlimited since Exxon Valdez.*Cadets and mariners should view their

Merchant Mariner Credentials as a portfolio of credentials.*Goal should be to accrue credentials, not

simply to upgrade.*“Stackable” Credentials.

*Academy Model

*The seven maritime academies are incredible American institutions, but ...*Is a community college that offers a path

to endorsements for (almost) anything except unlimited tonnage/ unlimited horsepower a better model?

*Why we lose cadets

* The number one reason we lose a cadet is finances.*Not drugs, not conduct, not DUI.* They are doing great things while simultaneously enrolled in a

challenging academic program.*GLMA may be most cost effective, but it still costs $75K. It was

$90K when the Bachelor’s Degree was awarded by a partner institution.

*An 11 semester program (8 academic semesters/ 3 sea projects).

*Very limited ability to work part time/ earn funds for tuition.* In my world (Midwest) we lose cadets when parents lose their

jobs.

*What is the end goal?

*Ideally simulation tricks your mind.

*Develop the Merchant Marine Officers who will be industries preferred employees.

*Thank You

*Rear Admiral Achenbach (231) 995-1203

*[email protected]

*Do not hesitate to call or email, especially if you have a question regarding Merchant Marine licensing.