UK-based PC Maritime says it is about to release a CBT training programme for its Navmaster ECDIS. Anne Edmonds, PC Maritime’s marketing director says the company is exploring ways in which it can provide its customers with more convenient, cost-effective ways of carrying out the required ECDIS Type Training:
She says: “One solution now under development is a CBT (Computer Based Training) program. We began this last year but because of the imminent changes that were due to come into effect on 1 January 2009, we decided to put the project on hold. Now though, with Type Approval having been secured for our latest version of Navmaster ECDIS, we are pressing on with finalising and releasing a CBT program that will be consistent with the latest standards. “
She adds: “The program is designed to provide training in all operational aspects of Navmaster ECDIS and consists of demonstrations with voiceover, exercises and tests. It will be offered to customers for use onboard or ashore for initial and refresher training.”
Mandatory installation of ECDIS onboard newbuildings is being phased in from 2012 and existing ships from 2014, combined with a number of well publicised incidents where findings have shown crews to be in need of better ECDIS training,