A huge number of training materials on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (ColRegs) are currently available to teach/learn the theory of the rules. Yet, the constant high number of maritime accidents proves that there is a significant difference between what is taught at college and what is actually implemented at sea in real time by navigation officers. Today’s technologies are changing the way in which ships operate, and there is a need to ensure the best use is made of them. For instance, by the introduction of enhanced integrated navigation systems and equipment such as ARPA and ECDIS etc., the decision-making process in terms of taking action to avoid collision has become easier. However, the curricula of Maritime Education and Training Centres do not make the necessary connection between the tuition of this new technology and the tuition of the ColRegs. This leads to navigation officers unfortunately realising this only through gaining experience during their practical work on a ship and thereby often making wrong choices: instead of supporting their decisions regarding the application of the Collision Regulations by the correct use of electronic devices they use electronic devices to ease their work, thus they violate the Collision Regulations (i.e. VHF use in collision situations).There is a definite need for the use of electronic devices to support the decision making of officers when applying the collision regulations. Many ships and/or operations are getting faster, with increased commercial demand of the industry, and bigger, which hinders them from taking effective immediate action. Also, shipping lanes are getting more heavily populated with a mix of ever bigger commercial ships, sports boats and other professional ships such as fishing vessels. The NEO-COL project will close this skills gap between the world of work and the world of education, by identifying the differences between theory and real application and developing the best and most realistic way of incorporating modern electronic navigation devices into the teaching of Collision Regulations. For instance, there is a difference between how ColRegs are applied if there is an ECDIS or ARPA or COMPASS. The project will therefore develop a program to have tailor-made courses for different types of vessels, taking into account the equipment available in each vessel. The learning will have phases (basic to extended knowledge) to train seafarers working on different levels of command. NEO-COL will1.) Identify the differences between theory and real application in a questionnaire-led needs analysis and information based on the investigation of past collisions,2.) Develop an online Training Course for the best action possible and most realistic way of incorporating modern electronic navigation devices into the teaching of Collision Regulations customised for all type of vessels considering the navigation equipment and tools available, and3.) Design an Assessment Tool that provides the user with a genuine certificate for the newly acquired skills. This NEO-COL online Training Course will have tailor made course modules for different types of vessels taking into account equipment available in each vessel. The learning will have phases (basic to extended knowledge) to train seafarers working on different levels of command and different navigational equipment like ECDIS or ARPA or COMPASS.The training offered by the NEO-COL online Training Course will have a direct impact on mariners by giving specific knowledge to the user of how to apply the ColRegs in specific scenarios given the specific equipment on board. The mariners of these waters will have the skills and knowledge to correctly interpret a situation of potential collision by carrying out the corrective action.Through successful dissemination of the project, other EU countries will achieve similar benefits complying with EU's Maritime Transport Policy for 2018. Therefore, it will have a positive impact on maritime seaborne transportation within the EU.The partners will provide functional learning and skills to their students. Operators involved in the provision of maritime transport services and the European maritime transport, will be embracing the course in the short term and thus making the seas safer, which is expected to enable shipping companies to become more competitive. With more than 400 million sea passengers a year travelling through European ports, passenger ships and ferry services, the course will have a direct impact on safety of passengers and quality of life of citizens at sea and in port and peripheral region of seas worldwide by avoiding the re-occurrence of accidents such as Costa Concordia which clearly negated the collision rules.
A huge number of training materials on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) are currently available to teach/learn the theory of the rules. Yet, the constant high number of maritime accidents proves that there is a significant difference between what is taught at colleges and academies and what is actually implemented at sea at real situations by officers on watch. Today’s technologies have changed the way in which ships operate, and there is a need to ensure the best use is made of them. For instance, by the introduction of enhanced integrated navigation systems and equipment such as ARPA and ECDIS etc., the decision-making process in terms of taking action to avoid collision is better supported now. However, the curricula of Maritime Education and Training Centres very often do not make the necessary connection between up-to-date navigation technologies and the tuition of the ColRegs. It is left to the officer, to combine these two competences once they start their practical work on a ship and thereby often making wrong use of the decision support systems and thereby interpret collision situations the wrong way. At worst the young officers expect too much simplification by the modern technical means. The project consortium included 6 partners from 5 different EU member countries. The partnership consortium is made up by private companies, public bodies and VET institutions from Turkey, Romania, Spain, Poland and Germany, who all have an extensive experience within the maritime sector. The NEO-COL project has worked towards close this skills gap by identifying the differences between theory and real application and developing the best and most realistic way of incorporating modern electronic navigation devices into the teaching of Collision Regulations. NEO-COL conducted a needs analysis and the investigation of past collisions and: - Developed an online Training Course for the best action possible and most realistic way of incorporating modern electronic navigation devices into the teaching of Collision Regulations customised for all type of vessels considering the navigation equipment and tools available, and - Designed an Assessment Tool that provides the user with a genuine certificate for the newly acquired skills. NEO-COL contributes to the ease of maritime traffic, safety of lives at sea, and the environmental protection of the seas. The training offered by the NEO-COL online Training Course and the assessment tool have a direct impact on mariners by giving specific knowledge to the user of how to apply the ColRegs in specific scenarios given the specific equipment on board. After the module and assessment provided by this project the mariners gained/will have gained better skills and knowledge to correctly interpret a situation of potential collision by carrying out the corrective action.