Training on board: familiarisation, drills, cadets and assessment
1The lesson in plain words
Every officer is also a trainer. Familiarise newcomers before they work, run drills that teach, coach cadets and assess competence fairly.
Familiarisation
STCW regulation I/14 makes the company ensure that seafarers newly joining a ship are familiarised with their duties, equipment, procedures and the ship's arrangements before taking up duties. STCW regulation VI/1 also requires safety familiarisation before shipboard duties start. The ISM Code (section 6) requires proper familiarisation for new and transferred personnel. In practice, use the company's checklist, show rather than tell, and sign only when the person can actually do it.
Drills that teach
SOLAS sets drill frequencies. Every crew member takes part in at least one abandon-ship drill and one fire drill each month. Hold both drills within 24 hours of leaving port if more than 25% of the crew have not taken part in both on that ship during the previous month. Make drills realistic: vary the scenario and location, brief before, debrief after and record lessons. The drill programme itself is in Emergencies: emergency drills.
Cadets
For a first watchkeeping certificate, STCW A-II/1 requires at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as part of an approved training programme. Onboard training follows A-II/1 and is documented in an approved training record book (TRB); otherwise 36 months of service is required. Usually a shipboard training officer supervises the cadet, under the master. A company training officer ashore oversees the programme. Give cadets real tasks, explain why, and sign the book only for tasks they have done.
Mentoring
Mentoring is long-term guidance from an experienced colleague: sharing judgement, not just procedures. Give a mentee your time, let them try under supervision, and give honest feedback. Model the behaviour you want: rest, safety, respect. Most officers learn their standards from the first masters and chief mates they sail with.
Assessing competence
Under STCW A-I/6, assessors must understand the competence and criteria, be qualified in the task, have guidance in assessment methods and practice, and have practical assessment experience. Trainers must understand the programme and its objectives and be qualified in the task taught. Assess against the STCW standard, not personal habits. Observe performance, ask questions and record evidence. Sign only tasks you have seen performed.
2Key data
- SOLAS drills
- Abandon-ship and fire drill: each crew member monthly
- Drill after port
- Within 24 h if >25% lack participation on this ship in previous month
- Cadet route to OOW (II/1)
- ≥ 12 months' approved service with an approved TRB
- Route without approved programme
- ≥ 36 months' approved seagoing service
3Key points
- 1
Familiarise newcomers before they take up duties (STCW I/14, VI/1; ISM 6).
- 2
Run drills that teach: varied scenarios, briefing, debriefing, records.
- 3
Cadet route: 12 months' approved service with an approved training record book.
- 4
Mentor by example and honest feedback.
- 5
Assess against the STCW standard; sign only what you saw done.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: A familiarisation checklist is complete when the newcomer has signed it.
Right: It is complete when the person can actually find and use the equipment and knows the procedures.
Wrong: Signing a cadet's record book for tasks they will 'pick up later' helps them.
Right: It creates a false record of competence. Sign only for tasks you have seen them perform.
Wrong: The same drill scenario every month is most efficient.
Right: Vary scenarios and locations so the crew learn to think, not just repeat.
5Practice case & exam keys
A deck cadet has three weeks left on board. Ten TRB tasks are unsigned, including steering and anchor work. The master asks you, the second officer and shipboard training officer, to 'sign them off so she can go to college'. What do you do?
Show the answer
Do not sign tasks you have not seen. Make a plan for the three weeks: schedule steering under supervision in open water, anchor work at the next anchorage, and short sessions for the rest. Explain to the master that false signatures break STCW standards and would put an unqualified officer on a bridge. Tasks that cannot be done stay unsigned for her next ship.
Exam keys
- Familiarisation before duties: STCW I/14 and VI/1; ISM section 6.
- SOLAS III/19: each crew member monthly; both drills within 24 h after departure if >25% lack participation on that ship in the previous month.
- STCW II/1: 12 months' approved service with TRB (or 36 months).
- STCW A-I/6: trainers and assessors qualified; assess against the standard.
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