There is often a chorus of experienced voices suggesting that the yachting industry needs to have higher standards of training. No one could disagree with this contention, in this or any other industry for that matter, so it is unsurprising that it is a point that is regularly raised. However, what is often interesting is that those advocating this training regularly suggest that it is the basic 'old school' seamanship skills that need to be better taught. Indeed, it would be nice to have crew members aboard a yacht that could do more than tie the standard bowline or use a different knot or splice when appropriate. Or, at the very least, be able to use a hand bearing compass or pelorus and employ any number of seamanship skills that are often reportedly lacking.
Some suggest that sailors have an advantage though it is probably fair to say that most modern, large sailing yachts are more interested in carbon fibre rigging than natural fibre whipping. Despite this, their goal of making the best use of the elements gives them a potentially better platform to learn the more traditional seamanship skills.
It is worth considering that, what seems to cause accidents these days is more often than not, considered to be a failure in using modern technology as opposed to good seamanship. For example on a recent visit to a repair yard, one large yacht under repair had hit a bridge when the autopilot failed. The engineer was severely criticised for not using adequate wiring and the captain chastised for not using the device's remote control correctly. The accident, was in fact caused by a failure of that device. One could justifiably argue that, operating such a large boat using a remote control device in a busy area was in fact un-seamanlike but that point was never raised.
Relatively few accidents are, it seems caused by a failed splice or a poorly armed lead, but many problems could be attributed to failing to observe the fundamentals of good seamanship. How does one teach these skills? This I would suggest is best done on board for the reason that it is about using a certain mindset and applying a set of values independently and consistently.
On the other hand, many modern chart plotters do not automatically correct for the offset of the particular chart in use as the operator zooms in and out through the different scales available. Many inexperienced navigators have been known to believe totally in the information given by the GPS without undertsanding it's limitations or potential errors. 'Training out' these obvious technical errors seems relatively straightforward and, on the horizon, there are likely to be more training requirements focused on using modern navigational electronics with the least exposure to error.
The debate should then, not be whether we need more training but what sort of training do we need to avoid the very real mistakes that are happening all too often. And, how do we deliver this appropriate training consistently and in an suitable medium? As an aside and with sustainability in mind, one could also ponder, how do we fund it? Certain elements of training are surely best implemented on board for many reasons as they should be taught in the context of an operational mindset. But, the yachting context is not a utopian world where crew are willing to spend money on anything but that which is required by the law. Combine this with the fact that there are some out there who would put profit before standards and training becomes a conundrum.
So, to summarise, formal training should be focussed on what equipment we use in this ever changing modern age of black boxes and interfaces. On the job training can be used to get across the values that allow us to employ even the very latest technology in the safest possible way.
Some suggest that sailors have an advantage though it is probably fair to say that most modern, large sailing yachts are more interested in carbon fibre rigging than natural fibre whipping. Despite this, their goal of making the best use of the elements gives them a potentially better platform to learn the more traditional seamanship skills.
It is worth considering that, what seems to cause accidents these days is more often than not, considered to be a failure in using modern technology as opposed to good seamanship. For example on a recent visit to a repair yard, one large yacht under repair had hit a bridge when the autopilot failed. The engineer was severely criticised for not using adequate wiring and the captain chastised for not using the device's remote control correctly. The accident, was in fact caused by a failure of that device. One could justifiably argue that, operating such a large boat using a remote control device in a busy area was in fact un-seamanlike but that point was never raised.
Relatively few accidents are, it seems caused by a failed splice or a poorly armed lead, but many problems could be attributed to failing to observe the fundamentals of good seamanship. How does one teach these skills? This I would suggest is best done on board for the reason that it is about using a certain mindset and applying a set of values independently and consistently.
On the other hand, many modern chart plotters do not automatically correct for the offset of the particular chart in use as the operator zooms in and out through the different scales available. Many inexperienced navigators have been known to believe totally in the information given by the GPS without undertsanding it's limitations or potential errors. 'Training out' these obvious technical errors seems relatively straightforward and, on the horizon, there are likely to be more training requirements focused on using modern navigational electronics with the least exposure to error.
The debate should then, not be whether we need more training but what sort of training do we need to avoid the very real mistakes that are happening all too often. And, how do we deliver this appropriate training consistently and in an suitable medium? As an aside and with sustainability in mind, one could also ponder, how do we fund it? Certain elements of training are surely best implemented on board for many reasons as they should be taught in the context of an operational mindset. But, the yachting context is not a utopian world where crew are willing to spend money on anything but that which is required by the law. Combine this with the fact that there are some out there who would put profit before standards and training becomes a conundrum.
So, to summarise, formal training should be focussed on what equipment we use in this ever changing modern age of black boxes and interfaces. On the job training can be used to get across the values that allow us to employ even the very latest technology in the safest possible way.
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