6 Signs Your Maritime Training Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)

Is your crew just "ticking boxes" during their maritime training? In an industry where safety and efficiency are paramount, generic, outdated e-learning can be a massive waste of time and money.

If you're not getting a real return on your maritime training investment, it might be because your programme is missing these key components:

1. It’s All About Compliance, Not Skills

Many maritime training programmes focus solely on meeting regulatory requirements. But effective training goes beyond that. It should build practical skills and drive real-world performance improvements necessary for safe and efficient ship operations.

To truly improve performance, maritime organisations should adopt a more flexible and interactive training approach. Instead of relying solely on lengthy courses, consider supplementing them with quick, manageable modules that are easily accessible.

Providing the right information at the right time is crucial. Clear resources like standard operating procedures (SOPs), equipment manuals, quick guides, and timely updates can be more effective than a one-size-fits-all maritime training.

2. You’re Not Measuring Its Real Impact

How do you know if the maritime training is working? Measuring success isn't just about completion rates. It should also include:

• Return on Investment (ROI): Are you seeing a reduction in operational costs?

• Behavioural Changes: Has crew behaviour improved in critical areas?

• Knowledge Retention: Can learners apply what they've learned long after the course?

• Error Reduction: Are incidents or mistakes decreasing?

  
  

3. You're Using a One-Size-Fits-All Approach to Maritime Training

Traditional methods like static manuals and courses don't account for different learning needs.  In our blog ‘How Different Seafarers Learn,’ we discuss different types of learning from the Fact-Finder, to Visual-Learner and Auditory-Learner.  Try incorporating a variety of delivery methods, such as text based, audible and visual learning materials to help seafarers understand and retain vital information and include bite-sized quizzes to help learners understand areas they need to focus on.

4. The Content Is Boring and Disengaging

Lack of interactivity and engaging content leads to disengaged learners and minimal knowledge retention. Consider innovative technologies that can make learning more dynamic.

Serious gaming or gamification has been shown to improve motivation and engagement and allow a safe environment for the development of skills. Onboard Maritime’s  ‘Virtual Maritime Training Ship’ can be adapted to create different ‘missions’ or learning objectives for fleet and crew training purposes. This has been shown to be a very effective method of explaining complex procedures and equipment, as well as hazard perception and risk assessment.   

5. You Haven’t Set Clear Goals

A maritime training programme without clear goals is like a ship without navigational aids. Before you start, define your objectives and identify measurable outcomes. What do you want your crew to be able to do differently after the training?

6. You Aren’t Auditing or Evaluating Consistently

Effective maritime training is a continuous cycle. Regularly audit your existing programmes to find gaps and use feedback tools like surveys and tracking to consistently improve your strategy.

Investing in high-quality, engaging training isn't just a cost—it's an investment in a safer, more efficient future for your maritime operations.

Contact Onboard Maritime today to discuss how our digital learning solutions can help your maritime company.