Schiffsf hrung, Seeverkehr und Simulation , Hamburg Shipping is a global business, putting European seafarers into competition with those from developing countries who receive comparitively low wages. Higher productivity is being achieved by automation, thereby reducing the number of staff required. Simulation is playing a vital role in training and in developing appropriate equipment. Development of equipment and systems i.e. functions, design and layout of technical devices and systems, shall be done in accordance with the abilities and working requirements of human beings, to avoid misoperation and to ensure job satisfaction.
Experience shows that efficiency and motivation are dependent values.
Additionally, simulation provides the appropriate environment to develop attitudes to interact at an optimum with others to achieve an agreeable working atmosphere, again resulting in safe and efficient operations. The probability of severe casualties is low. This positive statement on the other hand indicates that mariners have little chance to gain sufficient experience to act in such situations. Simulation further permits the user to work out counter measures free of risk to compensate for unexpected and undefined events, hence changing a situation from a problem solving situation to just selecting an appropriate strategy from a bundle of trained alternatives. European maritime simulation facilities are working closely together, providing a network of excellency from which both the maritime industry and the people aboard may benefit.