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Developing an Apprenticeship standard in the Maritime Industry, with industry representatives and the Royal Navy.
The emergence of remote and autonomous uncrewed maritime vessels has created a need for training to provide seafarers, experienced and novice, the skills required to operate these vessels efficiently and safely. An Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group, chaired by SeaBot Maritime, has been created by key industry members and the Royal Navy to develop Apprenticeship standards in Autonomous and Remote Vessel Operations. The working group has identified the standard of basic skills required to undertake and manage these operations, and has developed a proposed Apprenticeship scheme to develop the skills amongst new (and existing) seafarers.
Gordon Meadow, CEO of SeaBot Maritime, comments,
“A new apprenticeship in Autonomous and Remote Vessel Operations will provide new talent and even greater, multi-disciplined, highly-trained workforce, with the know-how to safely monitor, control and deal with situations remotely.”
Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group
The emergence of remote and autonomous uncrewed maritime vessels has created a need for training to provide seafarers with the skills required to operate these vessels efficiently and safely. Operators in the Maritime Commercial and Defence sectors are now actively investing in the remote operation of uncrewed vessels, and need efficient and effective training of their workforce to operate them safely.
To meet this need, SeaBot Maritime is chairing an Apprentice Trailblazer Working Group to design the training required by apprentices seeking to manage or operate Uncrewed Vessels both above and below the surface.
The group includes the National Oceanography Centre (UK); marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity; geo-data specialist, Fugro; insurer Shipowners P&I Club and the Royal Navy as founding members.
The working group will initially identify the basic skills and knowledge required to remotely operate a maritime autonomous surface ship (MASS) uncrewed craft. The apprenticeship will include training on safely navigating, controlling and managing small to medium-sized vessels and will define the occupational and training standards required of an apprenticeship. The working group is being supported in the development process by the regulator for apprenticeship quality, the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education.
Commodore Andy Cree of the Royal Navy comments, “We are delighted to be part of this Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group developing employer-led apprenticeship standards in autonomous and remote vessel operations, which will pave the way for a skilled maritime workforce of the future.”