Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/778359
5 Story by: Art Davis, Chief Mate MT Texas (pictured) On Sept. 19 and 20, 2016, I had the pleasure of completing my NAV assessment at STAR Center in Dania Beach, Fla. On the first day, I honestly didn't know what to expect. I walked into the classroom nervous. Once the instructor and Capt. Bren Wade introduced themselves and the program, I felt more at ease with the assessment. They talked about what we were going to be assessed on and what was expected of us on the bridge. Then we were introduced to the chart (area for the assessment) and the ship we would be piloting. At all stages of the lecture, we were given ample opportunity to ask questions and get comfortable with the challenging assessment taking place the following day. I got the feeling that the instructors from STAR Center, and Capt. Wade had high expectations of our abilities, but they also believed we were all capable of passing. Once the lecture was completed, we were given a simulator orientation and our assessment time for the following day. We were then instructed to prepare our charts for the assessment and given the rest of the day to review them along with the "Rules of the Road" and our charts. During my orientation time in the simulator, they allowed me to test the maneuvering characteristics of the vessel and to learn where specific bridge equipment was located and how it worked. When I was done with my orientation I felt my confidence growing and I felt ready for the assessment the following day. On the day of the assessment, I was greeted by the STAR Center staff and Capt. Wade. They told me just to go in and have confidence in what I knew from my years in the maritime industry and that is exactly what I did on the simulator bridge. I am not able to give specifics, but I will say the simulation challenged me, but it was also fun and exciting. As Chief Mate I am not on the bridge for much inland piloting and I really enjoy the challenge. After the simulation was completed, I sat down for a debrief with the STAR Center staff member and Capt. Wade. They asked me how I felt the assessment went, and I gave them examples of where I would have changed my reaction to certain situations. Then they gave me their critique of my assessment – told me how they thought I did. Lastly, I was shown my score sheet, then I was done. I am thankful Crowley tests its employees to make sure we all have a baseline knowledge of ship bridge operations. It makes me feel more confident in our bridge team that we have all been tested individually and passed. A FIRST-PERSON VIEW OF SIMULATOR ASSESSMENT The Assessment Itself Crowley's actual assessment is 40 minutes long and represents a voyage in near coastal waters. The participant is on an active watch and faces normal challenges including vessel traffic, currents, course changes, reduced visibility, and radio communication with other parties. It is not a "nightmare" watch fraught with unusual incidents or massive vessel traffic jams. The watch period is followed by a 20-minute debriefing discussion where the officer describes their thought process and decisions. This allows the reviewer to differentiate between a simple mistake and a fundamental lack of knowledge. It also allows the officer, who often immediately realizes a mistake, to express the correct action they should have taken, leading to a positive learning experience with no further retraining required. Conversely, when the debrief discussion uncovers a fundamental lack of knowledge or a skill gap, the assessor can explore possible reasons for, and degree of, the deficiency. Any officers who demonstrate serious skill gaps are placed in a "Needs Further Review" category by the assessor to Story continued on page 6 ...Our deck officers are learning that safe practices onboard translate into successful simulation assessments and successful simulation assessments come from solid, safe watchstanding practices." Connections Winter 2017