Safebridge Announces First Release of New Online E-Learning Courses for Type-Specific ECDIS Training and Certification.
Safebridge GmbH, an e-learning company specializing in Internet-based training solutions for the maritime industry, today unveiled the first release of its new online courseware for type-specific ECDIS training. The online courses will be commercially available by the end of the year, according to Ulf Steden, managing director of Safebridge. The company has cooperative agreements to develop type-specific training packages built around ECDIS products from Sperry Marine, Imtech, Transas, Raytheon Anschütz and JRC, and expects to develop similar programs for other ECDIS suppliers in 2012.
“As the new IMO ECDIS carriage requirements come into effect in 2012, Internet-based e-learning provides a cost-effective training tool to meet the type-specific training requirements mandated under STCW, ISM, Port State Control and Flag State regulations,” said Steden. “While many ECDIS suppliers offer their own type-specific training courses, it is impractical and expensive for an officer to attend these one- or two- day courses for multiple ECDIS vendors. With the Safebridge solution, they now have the convenience of doing it all online with self-paced guided courseware. It also makes it easy for officers to retrain on new equipment when moving to a ship using a different ECDIS system and enables convenient re-certification as suppliers roll out new versions of their ECDIS software.”
The unique Safebridge training software platform combines an e-learning component with OEM software and electronic charts (ENC). The learning process is controlled by Learning Management Software (LMS) to provide an interactive simulator that is true to the actual ECDIS brand being studied. “Safebridge overcomes the inherent limitations of conventional computer-based training programs by taking an interactive ‘learning-by-doing’ approach to training,” said Steden. “The best way to gain confidence on any complex piece of equipment is to play around with the system as it operates in the real world, so we have included a free-play component. This is the Safebridge training philosophy.”
Users can log on to the Safebridge server via the Internet to access a range of e-learning modes, including a guided tutorial, self testing with feedback and the free play on the live system. Students are taken step by step through a number of modules as if they were using the actual technology, and are shown how to use each feature in various simulated scenarios. Upon successful completion of the course, the student’s online examination is graded by a qualified instructor, and the student receives a certificate of competence.” Steden noted that Internet-based training is a very efficient use of training resources, since it can support a scalable number of students simultaneously.