Evidence supports safety impact of NorthStandard ECDIS Training Assessment tool

Two years after launching its ECDIS Training Assessment (ETA), NorthStandard has amassed the evidence to show how and why its free of charge online tool for Members is helping bridge teams make strides towards safer navigation.

Part of the “Get SET!” digital tools portfolio the global marine insurer offers to enhance ship safety and efficiency, ETA features questions developed in a collaboration with the UK Hydrographic Office based on real ECDIS use scenarios.
An assessment - not a test - is completed by a bridge team member on an anonymous basis to encourage openness on knowledge levels. It generates an individual report for the crew member, while the NorthStandard Member company receives an overall fleet report. Both the individual report and the fleet report include advice to the user on areas for attention and links to relevant material - including UKHO ADMIRALTY publications.

“The ETA provides insight into crew knowledge at a granular level and gives individual crew members the opportunity to take charge of their own upskilling,” says John Southam (pictured), Loss Prevention Director – Greece, NorthStandard. Based on analysis, owners can also consider the focus for future safety campaigns or targeted training across their fleets, he says.

Once NorthStandard members register on the NorthStandard website, they can self administer the assessment to their bridge teams globally. The ETA administrator can monitor participation fleet-wide and  reminder notifications to complete the assessment are sent to crew automatically. Data gathered over two years in service show that knowledge gaps diminish when ETA use is repeated, with improvements on average of 10% recorded between a first- and second-time participants.

NorthStandard Member Angelicoussis Group has integrated the ETA into its generic ECDIS training course. Participants use ETA prior to and after they have completed their theoretical sessions and practical simulator exercises.

The timing allows trainers to identify knowledge training gaps while officers are still within a structured learning environment, says Angelicoussis Group crew trainer and superintendent, Capt. Konstantinos G. Strikos.

“Over the past year, we have collected and analysed consolidated ETA results from all courses delivered,” he says. “The data has proven extremely valuable in identifying recurring weak areas — particularly in operational safety settings, alarm management, ENC interpretation, contour configuration, route monitoring discipline, and system limitations awareness. Based on these findings, we have reinforced specific modules and adjusted simulator exercises to directly address the identified gaps.

“Overall, we consider ETA  a structured, data-driven instrument that supports targeted competency development and contributes positively to navigational safety standards. It functions not only as an assessment tool, but as a measurable feedback mechanism supporting continuous improvement of our training delivery.”
To date, over 7,000 assessments have been submitted from almost 200 Members.