CURRENT seafarer training courses are outdated and do not meet the demands of the modern industry, according Anglo-Eastern Shipmanagement, writes Marcus Hand.

“The curriculum is out of date and out of sync,” KN Deboo, the general manager of Anglo-Eastern Maritime Training Centre in Mumbai, told the Lloyd’s List Seafarers 2008 conference in Singapore.

Training courses are designed to meet the requirements of Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Convention. “But is STCW enough?” he asked. “We are still following a 13 years old curriculum.”

Capt Deboo suggested a greater partnering with the industry to ensure that training is relevant to the challenges faced by seafarers today. “All shipping training institutions should have a tie-up with at least one shipping company so they can train people in the right direction,” he suggested.

The idea that onboard training could help meet the gap raises questions as to whether already stretched crews really have the time for such on-the-job courses. “Is there enough time for this training?” Capt Deboo asked.

Agreeing with this sentiment was Yashoverman Sharma, head of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services International Maritime Training Centre. “The kind of onboard training measures people are thinking of is perhaps too much.”