What is the difference between knowledge and skills? Which should we focus more on in our training, and how does one influence the other?

When we think about the most important mariner quality, often the first thing that comes to mind is skill. Can the officer or crewmember safely perform the skills required of him or her? After all, if everyone performs their necessary skills correctly, what more is there?

There is, in fact, a great deal more. Let us now hear from the experts:

“A study conducted by the United States Coast Guard discovered several areas where the industry may improve safety and performance... The three most serious issues were weariness, poor communication, and a lack of technical understanding."

Human Error and Marine Safety - United States Coast Guard Research and Development Center.

"Knowledge-based errors can arise when we have to work our way through a unique scenario for which there is no process or "rule." … Knowledge-based... errors by crewmembers account for 13% of all maritime accidents."

Maritime Research Centre, Warsash, Southampton, UK - Searching for the Root Causes of Maritime Casualties

It's worth noting that the study from which the second quote was derived claims that "skill-based" errors account for just 9% of all accidents. Fewer errors than "knowledge-based" errors! So, why is knowledge seen as crucial, perhaps even more so than skills?

Any talent that is performed must accommodate and adapt to the situation in which it is performed. Weather conditions, closeness to risks, lighting, noise, movement, and a variety of other contextual aspects, for example, may all need to be considered when doing a task. However, because each mariner may encounter a wide range of unexpected scenarios when executing skills during their career, it is difficult to prepare them for every potential combination of elements.

Similarly, the complexity of vessel-based technological systems is expanding. How do we educate our seafarers to respond appropriately in such a complicated, unique circumstance if a vessel's system is altered by an external contextual aspect or does not respond as expected?

The solution is to ensure that our mariners have the information that underpins the skill, as well as the capacity to think and apply their knowledge to the unique scenario that they are confronted with. Today, this also implies that seafarers must have a fundamental awareness of the complex systems on which they will rely when executing their duties. This demand for expertise will grow in breadth, depth, and relevance as the function of the mariner evolves and our vessel-based systems become more complicated. To some extent, seafarers must become knowledge workers, constantly adapting to new conditions utilizing their expertise. In a nutshell, competence alone is not enough; a rising quantity of information is also necessary.

We cannot train and analyze for every eventuality, no matter how hard we try. As a result, the next best thing we can do is train and assess the knowledge that will enable mariners accomplish their jobs properly, as well as give them with the skills they need to respond wisely when an unforeseen circumstance happens. This is the "knowledge worker" era, and the marine sector has entered it. We must train our knowledge employees for the task.

So, which is more important in terms of training focus: knowledge or skills? Clearly, both are essential. It is critical for safety.

At Van der Leun, we strive to ensure that our employees are well-trained on both knowledge and skill based aspects of the job which ultimately leads to us providing better quality products and services to our clients.

Article source: Marinelink.com - Author: Murray Goldberg