Feature: The future of pilot training
Read Seaways online at http://www.nautinst.org/seaways May 2019 | Seaways | 23
Visual clues and instrument navigation
Traditionally pilots rely on visual navigation. Course alterations are
typically initiated on visual clues and based largely on the experience
of the pilot. Individual pilots in a port routinely develop their own set
of visual clues to initiate course alterations, and subsequent rates of
turn. Over the years, radar, AIS, ECDIS and GNSS are among the
instruments that have been added to the tools that the pilot uses to
support visual navigation. However, the emphasis in pilot training
globally remains on visual navigation techniques. New pilots learn
their pilotage skills based on visual clues taught by different senior
pilots, over time developing their own markers and leads. After some
time they will be issued a PPU to support their visual navigation. The
philosophy here is that pilots need to memorise the visual (land) marks
before starting to rely on the electronic equipment. This philosophy
stems from the early days of pilotage when navigation charts were
less reliable and the accuracy of electronic equipment questionable.
Channels were relatively wide for the ships in port, demand for
accuracy was low and errors of judgement could usually be corrected
within the available parameters.
These fundamentals have changed. The industry and the general
public expects higher standards of operation. Close quarter situations
and near misses are no longer acceptable and authorities are taking
ever harder lines in investigating accidents, as evidenced by recent
convictions of masters and pilots (eg Zim Mexico III; Cosco Busan; City
of Rotterdam; Jolly Nero). With vessels getting ever bigger, while ports
remain the same size, it becomes important that the pilot fully utilises
the available electronic navigation equipment. The current suite of
positioning systems provide accuracies of less than 1 metre and high
density navigation charts can provide depth contour lines at less than
0.5 metre intervals, while redundancy in equipment almost guarantees
reliability.
New approach to pilot training
The training of pilots should refl ect these fundamental changes.
The focus must be on competence and use of electronic navigation
techniques, with a good understanding of the applied technologies,
their limitations and sources of possible errors, and the link between
the various instruments. The use of simulation should be embedded in
the training manual, including comprehensive planning and debrief of
each individual manoeuvre, followed by a formal assessment. Simulator
based assessment provides for accurate, measurable and repeatable
results of the manoeuvre. This dedicated use of simulation and focus
on navigation techniques could signifi cantly reduce the number of
actual ‘moves’ the trainee pilot must complete during the training
programme and may clear the way for a signifi cant reduction in the
overall time required to obtain a pilot’s licence, depending on national
maritime regulations.
A modern pilotage model
With a comprehensive port passage plan uploaded on the PPU, and
a full appreciation of all available navigation aids, the pilot can now
accurately execute the turn, limiting the deviation from track to only
a few metres, all the while cross checking their position with the
traditional visual clues. This is, effectively, a change from reliance on
visual navigation to reliance on electronic navigation, not unlike the
instrument rating that airlines developed many years ago.
The bridge team, working from the same port passage plan, shares
the same mental model with the pilot of when and where the course
alteration should be initiated and when to steady the vessel on a new
course. The use of a curved headline, with or without track pilot,
increases the situational awareness of both parties, and it is now
possible for the team to raise a timely challenge if the vessel deviates
from the track.
In summary
O Most accidents that occur with pilots on board involve alteration of
course;
O Traditionally course alterations are initiated on visual clues and pilot
experience;
O Tools to support visual navigation include Radar, AIS and GNSS;
O As ships become larger there is less room for error;
O The general public is less tolerant of navigational error;
O Modern navigation charts and equipment are more accurate and
reliable;
O Pilot training should include electronic navigation techniques and
simulation;
O Pilot evaluation should include formal assessment in simulator;
O Visual navigation should be included as cross check;
O It is essential for the common port passage plan to be uploaded into
ship’s ECDIS and pilot’s PPU prior to arrival at pilot station;
O The port passage plan enables a shared mental model.ECEC
ECDIS
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