IAMU News No.13, October 2006

Analyze of effectiveness and efficiency of MET in shiphandling. IAMU model course in Shiphandling.

Capt. Dmytro Zhukov, ONMA - Prof. Dr. Bogumil Laczynski, GMU

One of the IAMU Projects approved by IAMU IEC in March, 2006, in Dalian was proposed by Gdynia Maritime University, Poland. The goals of the Project - to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of MET in Shiphandling and establish the IAMU model course in Shiphandling.

Groups of researchers from four IAMU Member Academies (Gdynia Maritime University (GMU), Poland; Maine Maritime Academy, USA; Odesa National Maritime Academy, Ukraine; and Wismar University of Technology, Germany, will try to find methodology to describe effectiveness of teaching and studying the main topics of the subject of shiphandling. There are practically 6 methodologies for shiphandling teaching, three of them 1,2,3 are applied in every Maritime Institution and three others 4,5,6 are used separately or together in some Institutions only.

1. Classical lesson/theory of element of Shiphandling presented in traditional and more sophisticated way
2. Training on electronic Shiphandling simulators
3. Bibliography, Library sources, video\CD presentations, journals, periodics
4. Training on manned models simulators
5. Training vessels of IAMU Members
6. Computer-based educational program software, realized on board vessels and during individual study on campus

Group of researchers will select a set of exercises for international groups of cadets who should pass them with multi-system monitoring and registration. Results of cadets' training will be analyzed, with necessary assistance, in order to make conclusions. The use of different facilities, laboratories and simulators by the group of students, exchanged between Academies, as well as exchange of experienced instructors and teachers, should be the way to develop a system of MET in Shiphandling.

Following is a short article by one of the participants of the first stage of the Project - ONMA Cadet Pavlenko Pavel

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My assignment to Poland

From the 26th of May till the 30th of May I took part in the realization of first part of the Project "IAMU model course in shiphandling"

First of all I would like to say that I was really surprised to be chosen for this trip as a representative of my faculty. Nevertheless, now I'm really thankful to all people who organized this occurrence and gave me a chance to pass training about which I am going to tell you now.

In this trip I was joined by Capt. D. Zhukov - Senior Lecturer of the Shiphandling Department of ONMA and Miss Y. Malevanaya - cadet of the Maritime and Inland Waterway Navigation Faculty of ONMA.

On Friday, the 26th of May we arrived at the airport of Warsaw where a driver met us and took to Ilawa by bus. Our destination was Ilawa Shiphandling Centre - a unique place located on a lake, surrounded by forest. This centre has seven manned models, representing different types of vessels. The models are equipped with devices, simulating various ship systems, navigational aids and a system, simulating the tug-ship cooperation. Training areas on the lake are specially equipped with buoys, navigational lights, piers and locks for training all maneuvers associated with modern navigation. On the next day we arranged a group of 8 cadets (2 from ONMA, Ukraine, 2 from Wismar University of Technology, Germany, 4 from Gdynia Maritime University (GMU), Poland). Each of us guided a manned model of LNG Carrier 3 times through a waterway imitating obstacle avoidance. All our maneuvers were recorded by the DGPS and in the end printed on paper. This took all Saturday and after having a good sleep we left Ilawa for Gdynia. We were accommodated on board the training vessel of GMU m/v "Horizont 2". On Monday two cadets from Maine Maritime Academy, USA and two cadets from GMU played the same maneuver as we did in Ilawa on the computer simulator of the Navigating Faculty of GMU. The vessel chosen for the imitation was also LNG Carrier. Than we had an excursion to Gdansk after which we were invited to American training vessel m/v "State Of Maine" for a banquet.

In conclusion of our trip on Tuesday, the 30th of May, we gathered all together on board of m/v "Horizont 2" and each cadet had an opportunity to lead a real vessel through the similar waterway that was in Ilawa and on the computer simulator. So we had a fully equipped modern navigating bridge, a helmsman, and a specially buoyed area in Gdansk bay for playing our maneuver. Each cadet became a master and I think that we coped with the task. Unfortunately, it was our last task and the last day in Poland. On Wednesday we came back to Odessa

As for me, comparing these three methods of training, I would mark out the Shiphandling Centre in Ilawa. I think that training on manned models gives the clearest idea of handling the specific type of vessel.

It was a great trip, a great experience, and a great pleasure for me to be a part of such an experiment. I would like to thank: The International Association of Maritime Universities for supporting this Project; Professor Bogumil Laczynski - Head of the Ship Operation Department of GMU for his hospitality and enthusiasm in organizing all the measures connected with our trip to Poland; and Professor Tsymbal N.N. - Head of the Navigation Faculty of ONMA for choosing me for this trip.

Truly Yours, Pavel V. Pavlenko