Safety is of paramount importance for maritime transportation, in particular narrow and critical waterways. The Turkish Straits are one of the narrowest and natural straits in the world. They enable to international voyage for commercial ships by connecting the Mediterranean Sea (Aegean) to Black Sea. They are considered as one of the most dangerous waterways due to harsh physical environment, strong currents, sharp turns and variable weather conditions that can pose a significant challenge to ships for navigation. It has reached to 50K annually ship passage. Specifically, the Black Sea region seaborne trade (Russia, Romania and Ukraine) has been increasing due to large export commodities such as gas and fuel oil (Caspian Sea region), grain, petrochemical products, etc. The maritime accidents occurred in the Turkish Straits pose acute dangers for human and maritime environment. More than 200 crew (people) died due to ship accidents in the Turkish Straits over the last decades. The congested local ship traffics (including ferries, passegenger ships, fishing vessels, sailing vessels, etc.) and crossing passage frequently interfere with navigation of commercial ships. To avoid ship accidents, training of the seafarers is required. An extensive training involving to increase knowledge and skills of seafarers and local traffic users about navigation requirements, , ships traffic lines, VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) communication, reporting procedures, prevailing sea and variable weather conditions, currents, dangerous areas in the Straits, local ship traffic, etc. are necessary to enhance safety in Turkish Straits. On the other hands, the covid-19 pandemic strongly affected face to face learning & teaching activities. Most of intuitions has been continuing their learning/teaching activities via on-line teaching and learning system (digital platforms). However, maritime practical trainings, in particularly critical waterways such as Turkish Straits, have yet to perform due to insufficient digital teaching and learning activities. In this context, the objectives of this project is to introduce a practical web-based on-line training modules (digital teaching/learning activities) to increase knowledge and ability of Turkish Straits users. The project can minimise potential risks associated with safe navigation of commercial ships and local traffics. Also, the project outcomes (digital teaching/learning modules) are expected to enhance navigational safety and pollution prevention in the Turkish Straits Hence, the end-users (Master of ships, officers, local traffic users, skippers, etc.) will be trained for safer navigation, preventing environmental pollution and minimising commercial losses of shipping companies. The online training modules will include; i.) Training module for seafarers which provides online trainings for Masters and Officers who are sailing in Turkish Straits and shipping companies professionals; ii.) Training Module for Local Users which provides online trainings for skippers of fishing vessels, special yachts, boats, sailing yachts, passenger ships, ferries who are sailing in Turkish Straits. The SafeSTRAITS project will utilize the advantages of seven important initiatives. The consortium of the project consists of two maritime-specific universities (UoS and CMU), one Turkish Straits Maritime Research Center governed by public university (ITU- TSMRC), one maritime council specializing in accreditations and maritime education affairs (DEDEK), one R&D company specializing in IT solutions such as software implementation, IoT development and technologies (ORKA), one international seafarers manning agency (AP&A) and one the largest local traffic user company who has more than 100 ships sailing in Turkish Straits (ISH). The project partners have strong maritime network, experiences about maritime trainings and implementation. The project activities will be including management, implementation and disseminations of the outputs. The work package activities involve designing of virtual platform, development of course & training curriculum, development of online training modules and designing of evaluation &certification module. The expected results of the project are to increase knowledge level and skills of safe navigation related issues of seafarers and local traffic users to prevent ship accident and environmental pollution in the vicinity of Turkish Straits. By developing training modules, theoretical knowledge of the users will be transformed into high-level practice training by improving consciousness of seafarers, local traffic users and maritime professionals about safe navigation in the Straits. The longer benefits of the projects are recognition of online training program by EU ship operators will not only improve consciousness of seafarers and local traffic user about safe navigation, but it will contribute to train maritime professionals, maritime institutions and shipping company.
Seafarers should increase their knowledge and abilities regarding the Turkish Straits to perform safe, efficient and clean navigation and avoid accidents. SafeSTRAITS Project aimed to achieve developing an online training platform for international and local seafarers. The platform will improve their knowledge and increase their awareness about this critical sea area. Training modules for seafarers (International Seafarers: Masters, Chief Engineers, Officers & Engineers and Local Seafarers: Masters of passenger ships and ferries, skippers of fishing boats, and Other local users) are prepared and uploaded to the online training platform. The modules provide basic knowledge about hazards, manoeuvring areas, pilotage services, safe navigation, environment issues, charges, and emergency situations in the Turkish Straits. Please see details of SafeSTRAITS online training modules and the assessment tool via the following link: https://safestraits.odenes.com/login/index.php). The assessment tool is ready for users once they complete the training modules’ videos. Please see details via the project website: https://safestraits.com/project.
Turkish Straits are one of the significant areas in the world for trade and maritime transportation. They connect the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and enable international voyages for merchant ships. However, due to its natural challenges, this area is considered one of the most critical waterways for ship navigation. Strong currents, sharp turns and restricted visibility due to adverse weather conditions are the main risk factors. Besides, there is congested local traffic by passenger ships, ferries, fishing boats, sports activities and pleasure yachts, which is experienced daily, using the same or cross routes as the commercial ships. Seafarers with inadequate knowledge and experience about the Turkish Straits face difficulties and near misses, yet many ship accidents have occurred in the region. Accidents have caused great losses to the Turkish Straits regarding life, property, and the marine environment. To avoid accidents, training seafarers is a crucial need concerning the characteristics and dynamics of the area as well as applied rules and implementations. SafeSTRAITS project offers to develop a training system for international and local seafarers who use the Turkish Straits for navigation. It can be a unique, global, online and free-of-charged training platform and will increase the awareness and knowledge level of users.