## 1 Introduction  
The dynamic development of sea shipping resulted in an increase in both the number of ships and their size. The observed continuous increase in traffic intensity on the main sea routes has a negative impact on the safety level at sea. Analysis of the available data on accidents at sea leads to the conclusion that the human factor is the most common cause of reported accidents [1, 2, 3]. An analysis of marine accidents from 1994 to 2003 completed by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) led to the conclusion that collisions represent about 55% of all accidents, and 19% of the vessels involved in collisions were completely unaware of the other vessel before the collision; 24% of them became aware too late; and 57% of them were aware of the other vessel [4]. It is widely noted that human error accounts for 80-85% of all marine accidents. A total of 135 marine accidents recorded in the MAIB database from 2010 to 2019 were analyzed, and navigator condition was identified as the most common human factor [2]. Simultaneously, ongoing technological progress has an impact on navigational equipment, which positively affects the safety level. New devices and systems such as Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA), the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) appeared. The cooperation of these devicesas part of an integrated bridge system created better conditions for obtaining and interpreting data [5]. At the same time, new methods of processing and presenting available information have also been proposed to improve the effectiveness of anticollision maneuvers (e.g., [6; 7; 8]). All this has an impact on the navigation safety level provided these devices are operated by properly trained and competent navigators. Therefore, it is also necessary to adapt navigator training processes to the new level. In addition, the level of ecological awareness has increased. Economic and financial factors have also gained importance. As already mentioned, all of these factors together resulted in a fundamental change in the approach to sea crews' training. The requirement for the ship handling crew to have appropriate qualifications has proven to be of the utmost importance (training and qualification improvement is also for captains and pilots). Relevant regulations gathered in conventions were created. The acquired knowledge had to be confirmed by certificates and appropriate sea practice [9]. A new form of training-simulator training was becoming more and more important [10; 11]. The value of the simulation and simulators as tools supporting maritime education was appreciated. Since then, rapid growth in the development of simulators has been observed. The first simulators enabled presentation and training in a specific scope (e.g., radar simulator), gradually increasing their capabilities (radar navigation simulator, ARPA simulator, ECDIS simulator) to the most advanced navigation bridge multitask simulators or engine room simulators. The advantages of simulators used in maritime education have been noticed and supported by the most important international institutions, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), by introducing detailed requirements for certification, training, seafers' competencies at all advancement levels, equipment, and the teaching process itself (requirements for instructors) [11]. A main target of the revised International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is to increase the fields of marine simulator use by developing criterion-based competence evaluation rules. The transfer of simulation-based training facilities to ships for crewmembers' use can be anticipated in the future [12]. Seafarers receive the possibility to acquire practical competencies not only in real conditions but also in the simulated and modeled world. Thanks to this, the costs of gaining experience are lowered, and the risk of danger and consequences resulting from mistakes are removed.