The paper related the work undertaken at the Singapore Maritime Academy to run an IT-infused Certificate of Competency course for Steam Propulsion. Instead of traditional lectures, the learners were encouraged to move towards self-directed learning, knowledge creation, self-evaluation of competence and contribute to the growth of a core knowledgebase in steam engineering through collaboration and sharing among the participants. The experiments conducted with CmapTools software suite provided knowledge visualization and access points to the core KBS. According to Novak and Cañas (2008), knowledge creation by individuals facilitates the process of learning for the learners. A system of shipboard procedural knowledge capture was introduced, which is expected to have a significant impact on keeping the content knowledge updated and incrementally enhance the core KBS at SMA. It is claimed that such course structures might provide some answers to the gap in competency between knowledge and proficiency acquired at MET institutions and the real requirement at sea.

1. Asia Pacific Maritime 2008 Conference 27-28 March at Singapore Expo– Paper by Kalyan Chatterjea, Singapore Maritime Academy
Narrowing the Gap between the Shipowners’ Requirements
Maritime Administrations’ Certificate of Competency
Kalyan Chatterjea
Singapore Maritime Academy
500 Dover Road, Singapore - 139651
Email Address: kalyan@sp.edu.sg
Abstract
Shipowners’/ ship managers’ requirements of finding competent seafarers to manage
complex shipboard systems are becoming progressively more challenging. Shipping
companies have resorted to developing their own training centres to improve the
competencies of their shipboard officers and engineers. However, once fully trained in a
company