Are we over thinking it?
This leads to the questions below:
Just when school was over for the quarter, my friend Captain James Wright sent me an inspiring email. One of those writings that make me think! He posed some interesting questions on automation, and as always sparked the brain cells.
Backstory: Last year, around this busy time of year, I visited the Pacific Maritime Instituted. PMI. My plan was to do an incredible write up on this training center. There were many things the airline industry could learn from how they train harbor pilots. However, life got away and time flew as I jumped into my first year of school. But the photos PMI, speak volumes.
Jim says:
PMI is about to put on a series of Bridge Resource Management classes for Crowley Maritime tug masters and mates working out of Valdez. The simulator exercises are modified based on the previous classes experiences.
The latest modification is aimed at “automation dependency”. The purpose of this exercise is for the bridge team to develop a comfort level with transitioning from a “glass bridge” to a WW-II type non-automated bridge. A similar comparison in aviation might be transitioning from a 787 – Dreamliner cockpit to the “The Spirit of St. Louis”.
The modifications include a full electronics failure (including radar) leaving the bridge team with only hand steering, basic engine control and a magnetic compass. The bridge team will then be required to make decisions to balance safety and efficiency using the available controls and equipment to either complete or abort the exercise.
Since my age group mostly learned our profession in WWII type ships we tend to think that the transition described above should not be a problem.
Evaluations of pilots, masters and mates at PMI suggest the opposite; that mariners from the “automation-era” might find transitioning “back to the basics” somewhat uncomfortable.
This leads to the questions below:
- Do traditional pilotage / ship-handling (hand flying) skills add value to our profession in the “age of automation”?
- If so, is there a reasonable expectation that traditional pilotage / ship-handling (aviation) skills can be passed on to pilots in “the automation generation”?
- If so, what solutions in addition to the above type of exercise might best accomplish this goal?
- Alternatively, are we overthinking the “automation” problem?
My Dissertation is moving toward
the automation challenge.
Do I think there is a problem?
Perhaps when I read articles that state:
The answer is in the results.
What do you think?
Enjoy the Journey!!
XOX Karlene
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