Investigate the possible impacts of differential seafarers' career progression on seafarer competence in China

With the rapid development of advanced science and technology, the frequency of marine accidents caused by external factors, such as haphazard breakdown of engines or disastrous weather, is declining; while internal factors related to the human element remain the dominant contributor to such incidents. In order to minimise mishaps associated with the human element, seafarers must keep pace with the fast development of modern ships. The safety and security of ships and those on board and the preservation of the marine environment depend very much on the professionalism and competence of seafarers. This has been well embodied in the recent international conventions as well as some national regulations. In addition to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, the Manila Amendments 2010 are of supreme relevance to the improvement of seafarer competence. China has introduced some new regulations and amended some existing ones to improve the competency of Chinese seafarers and to ensure the overall effective implementation of the Manila Amendments 2010. The Regulations on Competence Examination and Certification for Seafarers in China, 2004 were amended in December, 2011. China has developed a relatively comprehensive system related to seafarers and maritime education and training institutes have undergone great changes accordingly. One of the major ones is the introduction of the regulations on differential seafarers’ career progression. Since the regulations are relatively new, little research has been done to evaluate possible impacts on Chinese seafarer education. The purposes of this paper are to: a) compare the different pathways now available in China for seafarer career progression; and b) examine the possible impacts of the new regulations on the quality control of maritime education and training and the seafarer competence in China.