The 9 th International Scientific Conference elearning and software for Education Bucharest, April 25-26, 2013 10.12753/2066-026X-13-211 TRAINING AND EVALUATIONOF OF THE SEAGOING PERSONNEL IN THE MIRCEA CEL BATRAN NAVAL ACADEMY Sergiu LUPU, Alecu TOMA, Andrei POCORA Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy, nr. 1 Fulgerului Street, Constanta, Romania sergiu.lupu@anmb.ro, alecu.toma@anmb.ro, andrei.pocora@anmb.ro Abstract: Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention with Standard for Certification No. 2.14 for Maritime Simulator Systems, adopted in January 2011, impose the requirements for the performance of these systems that must include an appropriate level of physical and behavioural realism in accordance with recognized training and assessment objectives. "Mircea cel Batran" Naval Academy purchased in 2009 a complex of operational maritime simulators named "Integrated simulator for driving of watercraft" type Navi-Trainer Professional 5000 manufactured by TRANSAS Limited Co and certified by DetNorskeVeritas (DNV) as A class (full mission) for bridge and machinery. Through the simulator the following can be achieved: initial operational level for undergraduate students, managerial level for master students and professional improvement for seagoing personnel on the basis of agreements with crewing and shipping companies. NT PRO 5000 is also used in the tactical maneuver training and evaluation of Navy officers according to NATO interoperability standards. At the same time it can be used in scientific research being able to simulate real conditions of a shipwreck analysing the kinematic of ships involved (motion parameters), environmental (tide, current, wind, wave, swell, depth) and additional parameters (distance, bearing). The module "Transas Evaluation and Assessment System (TEAS)" of the simulator allows objective assesment of exercise fulfilment correctness. In the simulator the students have the possibility to realize Joint Exercises with both simulators (bridge and machinery) and in that way the exercises will achieve the highest level of complexity, by simulating an entire ship with all complex activities onboard. The combined training of bridge and engine watching team will ensure achieving the goal of improving interoperability between these two typesof specialists, realized in almost the same conditions. After completing simulated exercices, the students can replay the entire action and have the possibility to emphasis the mistakes or the actions that were well taken, so they will have a superior feedback action after completing the training. Key words: training, evaluation, maritime simulator I. INTRODUCTION Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy (MBNA) purchased in 2009 a complex of operational maritime simulators named "Integrated simulator for driving of watercraft" type Navi-Trainer Professional 5000 manufactured by TRANSAS Limited Co and certified by DetNorskeVeritas (DNV) as A class (full mission) for bridge and machinery. 1.1 The Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping requirements The Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention with Standard Certification No. 2.14 for Maritime Simulator Systems, adopted in January 2011, impose the requirements for the performance of this systems whence must include an appropiate level of physical and behavioural realism in accordance with recognised training and assesment objectives. A Class A (NAV) full mission simulator must by capable of simulating a total shipboard bridge operation situation, including the capability for advanced maneuvering in restricted waterways [2]. 633
Each piece of equipment installed in the simulator shall have a similar functionality to the corresponding real equipment used. If any piece of equipment does not correspond to a specific make, the applicable International Maritime Organization (IMO) performance standard (functionality requirements only) for such equipment shall be followed. If such a performance standard does not exist, then the functionality of the equipment shall, as a minimum, be the same as for any recognized genuine equipment of that type, in use. Each piece of equipment shall resemble the behavioral characteristics, e.g. accuracy, reaction time and other limitations, related to corresponding equipment in use. The simulator shall be capable of simulating a realistic environment for all of the applicable STCW competence requirements referred to in the column for Class A in Table B1. The bridge operation simulator shall, according to class, fulfill the requirements given in Table C1, Table C2 and Table C3 [1, 2]. A full mission simulator shall be capable of simulating all radio communication systems in the GMDSS frame-work applicable for a GOC certificate and SAR operations. 1.2 Destination and capabilities The Integrated simulator for driving of watercraft achieved: initial operational level of undergraduate students, managerial level of master students, professional improvement of navy personnel and professional improvement of seagoing personnel on the basis of agreements with crewing and shipping companies. The Transas Evaluation and Assessment System (TEAS) module of simulator allows assessing objectively the correctness of an exercise fulfilment. In the same time the simulator can be used in scientific research being able to simulate real conditions of a sinister analysing the kinematic of involved ships (motion parameters), enviromental (tide, current, wind, wave, swell, depth) and aditional parameters (distance, bearing). The main capabilities of the bridge simulator [3] are: plan and conduct a passage and conduct navigation, maneuver and handle a ship in all conditions maintain a safe navigational watch with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), use of radar and Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) to maintain safety of navigation, respond to emergencies and distress signal at sea, plan a voyage, coordinate search and rescue operations, establish watch keeping arrangements and procedures and operate remote controls of propulsion plant and engineering systems and services. The simulator have the possibility to realize Joint Exercises with both simulators (bridgeand engine) and in that way the exercises can achieve the highest level of complexity. The combined training of bridge and engine watching team ensure achieving the goal of improving interoperability between this two types of specialists, realized in almost the same conditions. The simulator has a briefing-debriefing modulewhich helps the instructor toreplay the entire action and have the possibility to emphasize the mistakes or actions takencorrectly, so the students will have a superior feedback action after completing the training. 1.3 Full Mission Bridge Simulator arrangement - 1 x main bridge with horizontal field of view (HFOV 240º) as per IACS class A requirements; - 1 x intermediary bridge (HFOV 120º); - 3 x secondary bridges (HFOV 90º); - 6 x virtual bridges class; - training, analysis and debriefing room; - Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) - communication workplaces (on all bridges). Exercise objects include: ships (own and targets), tugboats (own and targets), barges (targets), helicopters, aircrafts, mooring objects, fishing objects, SAR (search and rescue) operations 634
objects,environment objects,land objects,floating objects,visual camera,vts radar towers andteas objects. II. USING OF THE INTEGRATED SIMULATOR FOR DRIVING OF WATERCRAFT 2.1 Training of first cycle of studies students Bachelor studies In the training of first cycle students of the following specializations Navigation, Maritime and fluvial Shipping, Navigation, Hydrography and Naval Equipments, the simulator is used in the following courses: Navigation Fundaments, Radar Navigation and Compass Correction, Radioelectronic and Orthodromic Navigation, Integrated Navigation, Search and Rescueat Sea, Shiphandling and rules of the road, Safety procedures and watchkeeping duties. According to the study programs, the distribution of practical activities using the simulator is as follows: Figura 1. Distribution of hours in the first year of undergraduate studies Figure 2. Distribution of hours in the third year of undergraduate studies Figure 3. Distribution of hours in the fourth year of undergraduate studies Figura 4. Distribution of hoursin the speciality disciplines 635
Figure 5. Distribution of hours inside the programme of study Thus, according to the curricula for the specializations Navigation, Maritime and fluvial Shipping, Navigation, Hydrography and Naval Equipments, 13% of the total hours are taking place inside the simulator. According to Quality Management Systems ISO 9001:2008 addopted by MBNA, with the studens as the beneficiaries of services offered by the institution, MBNA is obliged to prepare them for the patent examination. Since during the patent examination organized by the Romanian Naval Authority (RNA) the graduate skills are assessed in the simulator at the Romanian Maritime Training Centre (CERONAV), according to the methodology of organizing and running the bachelor exam in MBNA, during assessment of fundamental and speciality knowledge, practical competence skills are assesed on the simulator. Starting with June 2013 the asessment of practical competence skills using the simulator will be made by using the Transas Evaluation and Assessment System (TEAS) module. 2.2 Training of second cycle of studies students Master studies In the training process of the second cycle of studies students, Nautical Sciences specialization, the simulator is used in the following courses: Maritime Navigation and Navigation equipments, Shiphandling in all weathers, Navigational Safety and ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid), Watchkeeping team management. According to the degree programmes the distribution of practical activities using the simulator is as follows: 2.3 Training of Navy personell Figure 6. Distribution of hours inside the programme of study Under a cooperation agreement, watchkeeping teams of Romanian Naval Forces maintain their specific skills and abilities in the field of practice through regular training insine the integrated ship management simulator in MBNA. Given that the simulator can simulate a frigate ship type T22, watchkeeping teams of these type os ships have the highest frequency in using the simulator. In the same time, in accordance with the simulation facilities of ports and routes, before leaving on a mission the watchkeeping teams of navy ships train themselves in executing the maneouvres of departing or entering ports found in the passage plan. Due to its spacial facilities, the integrated ship management simulator is also used for psychomotor testing (sea-sickness) for candidates who want a career in the Navy. In 2012 over 540 of the Navy personell used the simulator as a mean of training. 636
2.4 Training of merchant marine personell from shipping companies CMA CGM is currently the world s third largest container shipping company and is ranked number one in France.Operating a fleet of 394 vessels, including 93 company-owned, the Group serves over 400 ports around the world. Operating a fleet of 394 vessels, including 93 companyowned, the Group serves over 400 ports around the world. CMA CGM has signed a service contract with MBNA for the conducting of continuing education courses to graduate students at operational level (junior officers) and managerial level (senior officers). The main objectives for the operational level course is the training and appraisal of Deck Junior officers skills to ensure watch keeping on bridge in different situations, on different types of ships, and under strict application of Master s orders and in compliance with the Internal Company s Regulation. For the managerial level course, the main objectives are the maneuvering and handling different size of container vessels in confined waters, harbors, and under various conditions. Implementing safe procedures for navigational operations and ship handling techniques. III. USING OF THE INTEGRATED SIMULATOR IN EVALUATION For the evaluation of the students, the simulator has the Transas Evaluation and Assesment System (TEAS) module. The Transas Evaluation and Assessment System (TEAS) allows assessing objectively the correctness of an exercise fulfillment by a trainee. The assessment is based on the check of the exercise fulfillment correctness with regard to the selected set of criteria. The instructor procedure [4] for handling the TEAS is shown in the Figure 7. Figure 7. Instructor procedure for handling the TEAS The by-criterion check consists in comparing the exercise assessment parametersto the set limit values according to the set rule. In the by-criterion check, at each moment of time a relative error is recorded (relative deviation of the assessment parameter from the limit values), and penalty points are calculated as a function of the relative error and the error weight. The trainee competency is assessed in points (Score %) starting from 100% minus penalty score. 637
CONCLUSIONS The main cause of shipping incidents remains the human error. Human error is present in 80% to 90% of all shipping accidents. The recent technological advance led to the emergence and development of complex technical naval systems that integrate the navigation equipments. Thus, they may be a tendency to reduce the responsability of the watchkeeping team by reducing its capacities to act resulting in an increased risk of incidents caused by human errors. The technological development should be seen as a complement to the watchleeping team and not as a replacement. In 2012 the integrated ship management simulator was used at its full capacity for training of the students and the continue training of graduates as follows: Figure 8. The usage of the simulator in 2012 A seaman officer should have many abilities in order to perform his duty, such us high professional knowledge and technical skills necessary for ship operation management, precaution and carefulness against potential of danger and ability of its treatment when an accident happens, collaboration and leadership abilities, neatness, arrangement and responsibility.simulators have been accepted as a major source to providing of this abilities. The endowment of Mircea cel B trân Naval Academy with a top notch simulator proves the fact that MBNA is an institution of higher education for the current marine, in pace with the global requirements for crew training and maintains its place among prestigious universities around the world. References [1] ***, 1995. Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. [2] ***, 2011. Standard Certification No. 2.14 for Maritime Simulator Systems. [3] Transas Ltd, August 2009. NAVI-TRAINER 5000, Navigation Bridge, (version 5.00). [4] Transas Ltd, August 2009. NAVI-TRAINER 5000, Instructor manual, (version 5.00). 638