International Maritime Legislation and Model Courses

Jan HORCK

World Maritime University

Jan Horck

Abstract

The IMO model-courses are provided to help professors, lecturers, teachers and instructors to educate and train a future useful product from the MET institutions around the world. Though, there is additional knowledge to pass on to becoming officers of the watch (OOW's) than the minimum requirements according to lawmakers. The industry has its need, the students have their wishes, the Maritime Administration its goals, and the maritime education and training (MET) institutions their challenges. The viewpoints of both industry and students should be carefully taken into consideration when writing the curricula.

The model courses are subject to technology adaptation and new course curricula are written to accommodate new laws. A lot of work is also being put into the efforts to make the courses pedagogically correct. The question is: are these courses really used in the way IMO has intended? Are there any additional subjects that perhaps should be focused upon to make STCW 95 successful? Do the MET institutions have the funds to purchase the hardware and the software needed to conduct these courses? Many other questions come to mind. This paper, of course, will not have the answer to these questions and other questions related to the subject but will merely highlight a few problems in need of attention. MET institutions should have the foresight, be proactive and take initiatives to find cost benefit solutions for the users of their services. With this attitude STCW will be more successful. Governments must give their support to MET if it is a national desire to have a viable and efficient shipping industry.

A survey of MET institutions worldwide reveals widespread recognition of the model courses. Is further marketing needed? Is the EU MET harmonization initiative, for example, enough to make Academic Deans kick up the dust off the files on the shelves?