## 6 Discussion and Conclusions  
The results of the use of the module for automatic assessment of navigator competence are presented in this article. The case described here concerns how to resolve collision situations in the open sea. This paper highlights the increasing role of marine simulators as a major component of ship crew training (supported by amendments made to the STCW Convention). Training with simulators is very effective. A separate aspect is the proper evaluation of trainees' competencies. Together with changes in bridge equipment and the introduction of simulators into crew training, the methodology of navigator qualification assessment must also change. More and more complex and dynamically changing navigation process requires a great knowledge of instructors/examiners. Thus, it seems necessary to support the evaluation process on the simulator by automatic evaluation possibility. The subject is multithreaded, complex, and difficult, but there is little available literature and conducted research. Previous work on automated procedures for assessing operator efficiency (e.g., the initial GruNT project in 2017) has shown a large degree of agreement between the assessment algorithm for a specific maritime operation and the assessment performed by subject matter experts. The GruNT project was based exactly on the scenario evaluation system in the K-Sim Polaris simulator [22]. A comparison of the automatic evaluation generated by the SEA program and the evaluation of competent persons (subject matter experts) was also made in this study. The analysis of it indicated the limitations of reliability and the possible subjectivity of the expert assessment. Nevertheless, the observed similarities in the assessment, especially those given by the most experienced captains and officers, suggest the most reasonable use of automatic assessment. Kongsberg has provided an automatic evaluation program in its K-Sim Polaris simulator, which, in its current form, is useful and effective but should still be improved. Its assumptions, the way penalty points are calculated, and the comparison of preset parameters meet requirements, although the number of available types of criteria could be greater. There is also no way to define user parameters. This puts a requirement for the instructor to carefully analyze these parameters for their optimal use. Conducted and evaluated simulations in the open sea showed what to pay attention to when using a simulator-based automated competence assessment application. A major problem of using applications to automatically assess the competence of navigators is the lack of internationally recognized standards and norms to use in the criteria-selecting process. Indeed, it is not easy to define such standardized conditions. Shipping is a dynamically changing process. Different paths, more or less correct, can lead to the right solution. The same route due to environmental conditions can be treated differently; navigators can choose task sequence and timing. Trying to find an algorithm that takes into account every aspect is a very difficult problem. Therefore, researchers do not often explore this field. Despite this, the development of automated assessment seems a foregone conclusion. It is becoming more important to establish an objective evaluation system that will contribute to a consistent, objective, and transparent assessment of navigators' skills and competence in the future. So, the general conclusions are:  
* The instructor's qualifications and training have to be in accordance with STCW Convention requirements. They must have many years of experience at sea, pedagogical, didactic, and psychological knowledge, and be familiar both with the simulator and all functions of automatic assessment application;
* It is very important to correctly choose the sea area type (open, restricted, approach to the port, approach to the quay, etc.).