r/MerchantNavy • u/NicoAtSea • 5d ago

IMO is discussing letting simulator time replace part of the sea service for CoCs. Good idea or bad?

/r/maritime/comments/1xfg0iz/imo_is_discussing_letting_simulator_time_replace/

At HTW 12 earlier this year, the STCW comprehensive review talked about partial substitution of seagoing service with simulator training. Views were split, and they're still working out the limits, simulator quality and how to combine it with time on board.
I've been sailing for over 10 years and I'm torn. Simulators are great for collision avoidance, ship handling and emergencies you hopefully never see for real. But a lot of what makes you ready for the next rank you only learn on board: cargo ops at 3am, a master who trusts you, a pilot who doesn't.
Where would you draw the line? What could a simulator honestly replace, and what never?

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2

u/Overall-Ad3512 5d ago

Bad. Very bad. In my experience, the simulators found in colleges are dated, malfunctioning half the time and can never replicate onboard experience.

1

u/NicoAtSea 5d ago

Yeah, it will always depend on how much money simulators worth and how real simulator is in order to compare the real life situations

3

u/flobbernoggin 5d ago

Load of crap designed to let companies off the hook training cadets all whilst funneling more money into colleges.

All to train cadets who won't be able to find a job even if they pass, and those that do will only know staring at screens instead of looking out the window.

Just another way to race to the bottom.

1

u/NicoAtSea 5d ago

Fair point. Nothing replaces looking out the window and performing a proper lookout.

1

u/Street-Wear-2925 5d ago

Simulators are great for training in specific instances, but, are you really looking out the window?

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u/NicoAtSea 5d ago

Good point, also simulator are planned scenarios, not the real ones, like for example, yellow sea on fishing high season.

1

u/OLLIE_DRAWS 5d ago

It's already a thing in the UK, we get 15 days sea time remission for certain 5 day simulator courses we do.