Engineering survey
This section details the summary report of the engineering survey. It is divided by STCW competence and, subsequently, by knowledge, understanding and proficiency.
1. Thorough knowledge of principles to be observed in keeping an engineering watch
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 113 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 6 |
|---|---|
| High | 107 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of respondents agreed that this section is well written and still relevant today.
However, respondents recommended the addition of training in:
- ship-shore relation (management)
- operation of fixed systems and reversionary modes
- ability to understand UMS modes and operations
- greater understanding of vessel verification of compliance
- understanding of control systems/network links, etc
Suggestions for amendments related to providing more detail on how to demonstrate competence as the current requirements are very vague.
While other recommendations were for the training of engineers for:
- good computer knowledge as almost everything is based on this currently
- more hands-on experience at the college level before officer cadets serve at sea
- understand the limitations of automation and the importance of the 5 senses to complement automation
- more emphasis should be placed on a detailed knowledge of engineering or machinery plant
- emphasis on not just understanding emergency procedures but being competent in carrying them out
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
However, consideration and attention should be given to training for STCW competency in manual operation and man-machine or human/machine interface. This should be stressed as the EOOW needs to understand what to do in the event of automation failure.
1. Basic construction and operation
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today
| Yes | 114 |
|---|---|
| No | 0 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 3 |
|---|---|
| High | 100 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
All respondents (100%) agreed that this section is still relevant today.
However, respondents also recommended the addition of training in:
- statutory and classification proficiency
- creating and interpreting 3D CAD models
- more emphasis on manual operations of systems, for example, hand operation of valves and manual starting over computer-aided systems to prepare for scenarios in an emergency
- removing interpreting machinery diagrams
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Operational characteristics of pumps and piping systems, including control systems
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 113 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 8 |
|---|---|
| High | 106 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
99% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, recommendations were made for the addition of training to or in:
- the ability to demonstrate access to SSOW, review and validate
- ballast water treatment plants
and amending:
- the section thatr mentions the operational characteristics of pumps and piping systems, which make no reference as to how to demonstrate the competency or understanding the characteristics
- to include the choice and usage of different Instrumentation and control systems, which are not covered either
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Basic configuration and operational principals of electrical equipment, electronic and control systems
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 110 |
|---|---|
| No | 2 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 12 |
|---|---|
| High | 100 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
98% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, recommendations were made for the addition of training regarding:
- more in-depth knowledge of automation or electronics compared with what is usually received at average marine mechanical faculties
- cybersecurity associated with control systems
- basic repair skills for electrical and IT equipment, with a focus on networking and basic IT systems to help modern-day marine engineers who do not have an ETO on board
Also, recommendations were made to amend:
- basic configuration and operational principles updating to “detailed knowledge and understanding of electrical equipment and electronic and control systems”
- possibly include elements of machinery control and surveillance systems as these are the key control systems today
- also, the inclusion of the reversionary methods with the control systems
- electrical, electronic and control equipment as this is a topic that has grown vastly - it may be necessary to split this topic into three parts - for example, 1 Electrical, 2 Electronic, 3 Control.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
However, automation and control systems has expanded tremendously in scope over the years and needs to be split into three parts of Electrical, Electronic control systems, and Pneumatic control systems.
1. Safety requirements for working on board electrical systems, detection of electric malfunction, construction and operation of electrical testing and measuring equipment, function and performance tests
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 109 |
|---|---|
| No | 3 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 14 |
|---|---|
| High | 98 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
99% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
Some respondents recommended for additional training to include:
- deeper knowledge of electronics/automatics than the current standard for a marine engineer
- digital control and network systems
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Characteristics and limitations of materials used in construction and repair of ships and equipment
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 112 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 23 |
|---|---|
| High | 90 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and vital today.
However, recommendations were made for the addition of training to:
- understand the various methods and strengths of joining materials
- basic understanding of metallurgy
- an amendment to the requirement of high proficiency in machining, as spares are not made anymore
Some feedback was received recommending the removal of this part because the scope of the training is losing relevance compared to the importance of electronics/automation ability to diagnose/repair/operate.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain the way it is.
1. Prevention of pollution of marine environment, knowledge and precautions to take, anti-pollution procedures and importance of proactive measures
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 111 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 5 |
|---|---|
| High | 106 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
99% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and essential today.
However, a recommendation was made for the addition of training about MARPOL surveys and audits.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
However, this section should be firmly highlighted during training as it has always been important to do so.
1. Ship stability and construction
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 110 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 16 |
|---|---|
| High | 94 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
99% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, recommendations were made for the addition of training regarding:
- methods of stopping water ingress into the vessel in the event of damage
- material grading knowledge
- understanding the importance of in-water, and dry-dock surveys, including the potential impact of the seaworthiness of the vessel
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Fire prevention and fire-fighting appliances
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today
| Yes | 110 |
|---|---|
| No | 2 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 5 |
|---|---|
| High | 106 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of the respondents (98%) agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Life saving
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 110 |
|---|---|
| No | 2 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 6 |
|---|---|
| High | 103 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
98% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, there was a recommendation for the addition of modern lifesaving apparatus like Marine Evacuation Systems (MES) to LSA training as this equipment is present on cruise ships. This included how to maintain equipment certifications and the dangers involved in launching and recovery operations.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Medical first aid
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 109 |
|---|---|
| No | 2 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 15 |
|---|---|
| High | 93 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of the respondents (98%) agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
Some respondents did recommend that five-yearly refresher training should be part of the STCW requirement for the First Aid course to ensure that knowledge and competency are maintained. Also, more training in the use of the defibrillator.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Basic working knowledge of IMO conventions concerning safety of life, environmental protection and security
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 111 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 15 |
|---|---|
| High | 95 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of the respondents (99%) agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
1. Working knowledge of shipboard man management
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 105 |
|---|---|
| No | 6 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 27 |
|---|---|
| High | 82 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
The majority of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, recommendations were made for the addition of training in:
- mental health awareness, self-harm, suicide, bereavement and loss and differences in gender or religion
- diversity and inclusion
- empathy and management of different cultures
- coaching and mentoring techniques
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
Even though this section is well written, it will be beneficial for training in shipboard leadership and management to include compulsory education in dealing with mental health issues or awareness, mentoring, diversity, and inclusion.
1. Knowledge of personal survival techniques, prevention and ability to fight and extinguish fires, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibility
1.1 Is competency requirement still relevant today?
| Yes | 111 |
|---|---|
| No | 1 |
1.2 Importance of competency today?
Grading: 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high)
| Low to average | 10 |
|---|---|
| High | 101 |
1.3 Summary of respondents’ recommendations
99% of the respondents agreed that this section is still relevant and important today.
However, a recommendation was made for the addition of training to cover Enclosed Spaces preparation and entry due to the high number of fatalities caused by incorrect entry into enclosed spaces.
The enclosed space training course should be encouraged.
1.4 Advisor’s recommendation
This section is well written and can remain as is.
More consideration should be given to the enclosed space training course offered by various training institutions.
For raw comments answering this question please see the comments from the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping review survey report.
If you would like to see further comments on the STCW review please read the comments from the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping review survey report.