This post covers the second session of the January 2012 meeting of the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (MMSAC). This session, on the afternoon of January 18th, had two topics: a discussion of the Certain Dangerous Cargo Security Initiative and an unscheduled agenda item on using Port Security Grant Program funds to help US vessel operators defray security upgrades for operations in high risk waters.
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The first morning session of the January meeting of the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) opened with a lengthy Welcome/Farewell Address by NMSAC sponsor, short remarks by the Committee’s Executive Director, and what was labeled a discussion of requirements for vessel guards while in port. These were followed briefings/discussions of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)/Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Harmonization, Maritime Domain Awareness and Information Sharing, the long-planned “MTSA II Regulations,” and harmonization of US and Canadian maritime transportation security regimes.
There is no doubt in my mind that eLearning is an important topic for the maritime industry. All of us involved in maritime education, whatever our views on eLearning, are going to have to come to terms with it. This is the first installment in a series of articles where I take a step back and talk more deeply about what eLearning is, and what its strengths and limitations are in the maritime training environment.
The accelerating availability of onboard internet is heralding new opportunities for mariners in terms of anywhere/anytime learning, informal education, professional advancement, and the establishment and maintenance of virtual maritime learning communities.
On December 6th the UK Department for Transport (DfT) posted on its website two documents providing guidance for UK-flagged vessels on countering piracy and armed robbery against ships. They include guidance allowing the use of armed guards against Somali pirates, implementing a change in policy that was promised in October.
First ship to be attacked by terrorists after World War II
Changes to the 24-nm zone come into effect on December 1.
Most people find that an established professional community is one of their most critical and often used professional resources. In my last two blog posts I introduced the idea of using a "Private Professional Network" (or PPC for short) within your organization to create a community for your trainers. In this blog, I complete this thread by talking a bit about how to "bootstrap" the community or get it off the ground.
This is part 2 of a post which discusses the use of a private, online trainer community for the trainers in your maritime organization. Over the last year or so I have been involved in helping create one for the British Columbia Ferry Services and I believe it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve training outcomes and standardization in your company.