Whenever there is a problem or an accident, there are usually lessons to be learned and actions to be taken.

Lawyers, politicians and environmentalists often use accident reports to push through punitive legislation.

Trainers take a more constructive approach. Trainers work with investigators, improving training, aiming to avoid the mistakes, lapses or errors which caused the original problem.

In order to do this in a timely way, Videotel offers the following cases studies to help to close the "Problem - Analysis - Action - Prevention" loop and make ships and seafarers (and cargoes and passengers) safer.

Our very experienced network of trainers and consultants are pleased to work with clients and potential clients to examine particular problems and make recommendations.

Videotel Case Studies

1. Identify a problem or accident
2. Study the report
3. Identify training issues
4. Recommend training solutions

EXAMPLE: AIS-Assisted Collision

After a thorough investigation and with the full cooperation of the companies concerned, the UK and Hong Kong Authorities have just published the details of a collision that involved the use of AIS (Automatic Identification Systems). The full text is available from the web site: www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Hyundai_Sky%20Hope.pdf

In my view the most worrying thing about this accident is that there are many well-trained young officers who will look at it and say "That could have been me". The fact that the officers on these ships had AIS equipment, it worked, and they knew how to use it, is impressive. So we need to take a wider look.

Several factors need to be covered:

• implementing the Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea (ColRegs)
• bridge procedures (calling the Master)
• training in the use of AIS
• use of VHF radio and sound signals in collision avoidance
• fatigue
• knowledge of engine controls
• language skills

I am particularly interested in your views on whether we need more training material or changes to some existing Videotel packages.

Implementing the ColRegs

Learning the Colregs in college and being examined ashore is normally simple. Real life is more complex. In this case, one ship thought it was a crossing situation, the other thought it was an overtaking situation. Each expected the other to alter. It is almost exactly the Videotel "Collision Avoidance" Guided Simulation Scenarios Number 3, in which our "Own Ship" is in the position of the "Sky Hope" and Number 4 in which "Own Ship" is "Hyundai Dominion. The only difference is that there was an added delay while they tried to communicate using the AIS. Not everyone uses the "Collision Avoidance" package in their training, because they think it is not mandatory under STCW.

1. Colleges (all Merchant Navy Colleges and the Royal Navy) teach the Rule of the Road in two-ship, clearly defined situations without reference to ship dynamics
2. Examiners examine Rule of the Road in two-ship, clearly defined situations without reference to ship dynamics and issue STCW Certificates of Competency
3. The newly certificated officers know the Rules and should be able to apply them in simple two-ship encounters, but no one has tested them in cases of predicted "near misses", nor in more complex traffic encounters with real ship dynamics

The package also contains a test to make sure you haven't forgotten important parts of the Colregs and another 19 traffic situations that frequently end in collision, some requiring early and substantial alterations of course and others in which the best way out is to use the engine controls to slow down. It is worth another look.

Bridge Manning and Teamwork

Situational awareness, keeping a good lookout by all available means, proper use of equipment and when to call the Master are well covered in the Bridge Procedures and Bridge Resource Management Series and probably the most relevant to this case is "Bridge Watchkeeping" which opens with an impending collision.

The package states that bridge watchkeeping requires good training, a high standard of skills and good time management. Watchkeepers must divide their time between a number of activities, which include navigation, maintaining a radar watch and a look-out. The video examines in detail the activities of a watchkeeping officer during a watch at sea.

It emphasizes that the watchkeeping officers must always maintain an all around look-out involving visual, radar, sound and VHF. They must know the ship's position and how this relates to both fixed hazards and other ships in the vicinity. Among the many demands on the time of watchkeeping officers, the safety of the ship comes before all else.

Training in the Use of AIS

When AIS was first introduced, Videotel produced "Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)" explaining the technical principles of AIS, showing various brands of equipment and types of display on a range of vessels and suggesting ways in which AIS might assist collision avoidance, and particularly warning of its limitations. The fact that the officers on these ships had the equipment, it worked, and they knew how to use it, is impressive.

So we need to look further into the causes of the collision.

Fatigue: The Effect on Decision Making

The report raises the question whether fatigue played a part in the questionable decision making on board. When researching for the video-led package "Fatigue and Stress at Sea" we were surprised that many seafarers did not recognise the early signs of fatigue in themselves or their colleagues, nor understand the effect it might have on their work. The package explains these things and suggests ways to alleviate them.

If you know of other accidents or events which require training solutions and need our help contact:

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