Improvement of Crew Resource Management for Mariners

According to IMO Assembly Resolution A.884 (21), Amendments to the code for the investigation of marine casualties and accidents, more than 75% of maritime disasters are caused by human errors. According to the Amendment to STCW Code, adopted at 2010 Manila Conference, the requirements of knowledge and competency regarding Bridge Resource Management (BRM) are strengthened to maintain a safe navigation. This research proposes an effective BRM program from the viewpoint of the error reduction caused by human elements. The BRM training items in STCW Code A is revisited. The BRM programs of Shipping Companies and Education Institutions in Korea is analyzed to compare them with the BRM knowledge requirements in STCW Code A. From the analyzed results, The knowledge and understanding of bridge officers and cadets regarding the current BRM education was evaluated by questionaire to the mariners and cadets who finished the basic onboard training by STCW 2010 (The Convention on Standards of training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers) Code A. As a consequence, this paper includes several suggestions on how to carry out the officer resource management (ORM) effectively and to improve the current BRM program.