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USCG makes call for radical changes in seafarer training

Current seafarer training is becoming out of step with the quantum leaps in technology seen onboard ships hitting the water these days, a senior figure at the US Coast Guard (USCG) has warned.

Speaking at maritime training association GlobalMET’s annual conference in Mumbai on Friday, Mayte Medina, the head of the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing at the USCG, told delegates today’s mariners are “generalists”, whereas tomorrow’s mariners need to be specialists

“Today’s training processes and delivery systems need to change to meet tomorrow’s needs,” the 20-year veteran of the USCG said.

The main challenges with the current model of training, Medina said, was keeping up with technology and the overly heavy reliance on classroom training.

Medina used the GlobalMET platform to call on greater international collaboration to improve overall training standards. “All stakeholders must participate,” she said.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. Changes in training always welcome, doesn’t matter from which trade you are. But “radical changes ” may be too much. Anyhow seaman has to be “generalist” due to nature of his job. When you are at sea the first who can assist you will be ….. you, and then it’s good to be generalist.

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