Last week on the Maritime forum, members engaged in detailed conversations about career development and practical skills at sea. Discussions included the potential redesign of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) model for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) revalidation, reflecting a shared interest in maintaining high professional standards. There was also a lively exchange about the effectiveness of current training courses in enhancing troubleshooting skills, emphasizing the importance of practical, hands-on learning.
This Week’s Hot Topics
Looking at a CPD model for STCW revalidation
There’s a conversation brewing about how the CPD model for STCW revalidation could better serve maritime professionals. This discussion is essential as it touches on how we can ensure ongoing competency in a rapidly evolving industry. Read more here
Courses that actually improve troubleshooting at sea
Forum members are sharing experiences with courses that genuinely enhance troubleshooting skills. This topic is crucial for those seeking practical training that translates directly to improved performance on the job. Read more here
That’s all for this week’s digest. Looking forward to seeing more of your valuable contributions and insights on the forum.
On our last North Sea run, we switched CPD to 15‑minute after‑watch mini‑drills twice a week tied to real defects, and audit day was suddenly easy… It only sticks if the master signs a monthly summary and you attach one photo or checklist per session; without that, PSC questioned the hours. If anyone’s mapping modules to competencies, the STCW table refs here helped: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978.
We made CPD for STCW revalidation painless by sticking a QR on the ECR door that opens a 90‑second voice‑memo form; every defect fix gets a quick “what I learned” clip, and audit day is just filtering the log. It’s free (we used a simple form + shared drive) and keeps it real, but it only works if the chief mate signs off weekly — otherwise it turns into box‑ticking, @HSEQ.