This paper is based on the PraC-MARENG project research and it aims to present the research outputs during the project implementation. The paper focuses on the results of the questionnaire analysis targeting to identify the causes of common communication problems on board in order to identify the best practices in using Maritime English. It contains a set of questions addressed to the seafarers in various ranks. In parallel, accidents caused by communication failures were selected and studied in each partner country (France, Turkey, Romania, Lithuania, and Slovenia). The partnership within PraC-MARENG will develop an online course for seafarers at various levels in order to provide practical and communication based learning and assessment materials taking into account the real conversations and accidents contributed by communication failures. The project will design a practical learning and assessment tool that provides the user with a genuine certificate for the newly acquired skills. This will be presented in a programme having a tailor made course. The learning will be organized on different phases (elementary to intermediate) to train seafarers working on different levels of command.
This paper specifically highlights the various elements of the national practices that are routinely carried out at project partner national administration level with respect to Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW) training and endorsement of seafarers in the Certification and Competency (COC), particularly within the European Union. The methodology used in this paper contains the research mainly conducted with 6 partner countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ireland, Slovenia) with a series of questions designed to capture information as much as possible in the early stages for the project, information around maritime training of seafarers and their certification in various roles and competencies. The chapters represent the current practices at national level for partners of the project and the target audience responded provided to compare specific requirements and training practices with reference to international standards. This information is used to investigate any barriers that are currently present for seafarers certificate of competency in endorsement or recognition of their professional qualifications.