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reflect the pace of change in industry practices or
equipment [11].
Conversely, the Dynamic Positioning (DP) training
scheme administered by The Nautical Institute
mandates using advanced and industry-relevant
simulation technology. Training centres seeking
accreditation must meet stringent hardware and
software requirements, including full-mission or class-
certified DP simulators that accurately replicate real-
world operational environments [5]. These simulators
must be capable of emulating various DP scenarios,
including failures, adverse environmental conditions,
and emergency procedures.
The Nautical Institute performs regular audits and
evaluations to ensure accredited centres maintain high-
fidelity equipment and instructional content
standards. Centres must also keep simulator software
updated in alignment with the latest system
configurations used on active DP vessels. This ensures
that trainees are familiar with generic DP principles
and gain exposure to the types of interfaces, alarms,
and control logics they are likely to encounter on board
[12].
This high level of equipment realism significantly
enhances the practical competence of DP operators. By
training on systems that mirror real operational
contexts, seafarers can develop the muscle memory
and decision-making skills essential for complex
positioning tasks. In contrast, many STCW courses,
particularly those delivered through PowerPoint-
based instruction or basic part-task simulators, may
not offer the same operational immersion or technical
specificity level.
Furthermore, the DP scheme's emphasis on
continuous improvement allows for the swift
incorporation of industry feedback and technological
updates, which helps training centres remain aligned
with evolving operational demands. This dynamic,
feedback-driven approach offers a clear advantage in a
field where equipment diversity and system
complexity constantly increase.
4.4 Curriculum Updating
The ability to update training curricula in response to
technological and operational developments is
essential for maintaining the relevance and
effectiveness of maritime education. However,
updating STCW course content is inherently complex
and time-consuming. Because the STCW Convention is
a product of international agreement under the IMO,
any changes to course content, competency standards,
or model courses require consensus among member
states. This process typically involves multiple rounds
of consultations, sub-committee discussions, and
formal adoption by the IMO Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC) or the Sub-Committee on Human
Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW).
As a result, revisions to STCW-related curricula,
such as updates to Model Courses like ECDIS or Bridge
Resource Management, can take several years to
materialise. In fast-moving sectors like offshore
operations, this lag may render training materials
outdated by the time they are implemented, potentially
limiting the preparedness of seafarers for modern
onboard systems or procedures [13].
In contrast, the Dynamic Positioning (DP) training
scheme administered by The Nautical Institute
operates under a much more agile framework. Because
it is a privately regulated scheme rather than an
international convention, the Nautical Institute has the
autonomy to update its training standards and
supporting documentation rapidly and unilaterally.
When industry feedback, incident reports, or
technological innovations emerge, updates to
curriculum content, assessment criteria, or simulator
scenarios can be issued within months rather than
years.
This responsiveness is built into the scheme's
structure. The Nautical Institute communicates closely
with stakeholders, including DP equipment
manufacturers, training centres, vessel operators, and
industry associations. Through routine audits,
feedback loops, and review boards, the Institute
continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its training
model. For instance, changes in system interfaces or
alarm management protocols can be integrated into
simulator exercises and course manuals shortly after
they are adopted in the field.
Moreover, The Nautical Institute publishes
revisions and bulletins through its Alexis Platform,
ensuring that all accredited centres receive and
implement updates consistently. This maintains
uniformity across training providers and ensures that
DP operators are always trained to the most current
operational standards. In doing so, the DP scheme
aligns closely with the dynamic nature of offshore
industries, where operational conditions and
technologies evolve rapidly.
The contrast between the relatively rigid update
cycle of STCW courses and the agile, stakeholder-
driven updating mechanism of the DP training scheme
highlights one of the core strengths of the latter: its
ability to remain relevant and operationally effective in
a high-technology environment.
4.5 Certification Control
Certification control is critical in safeguarding
maritime qualifications' credibility and reliability.
Within the STCW framework, certificates of
competency and proficiency are issued by national
maritime administrations or designated authorities of
individual flag states. While this decentralised model
aligns with the sovereign rights of states over their
maritime education systems, it also introduces
variability in the rigour of verification processes,
record-keeping, and anti-fraud measures. In some
cases, discrepancies in documentation standards and
oversight mechanisms can result in forged or
improperly issued certificates being circulated,
undermining trust in the international certification
system [14].
Each flag state is responsible for maintaining its
own registry and issuing certificates in compliance
with STCW standards. However, administrative
capacity, digital infrastructure, and regulatory
enforcement differences lead to a lack of global
uniformity in how certification data is stored, accessed,