Marine Environmental Awareness Training

IMO model course

Meet the future, prepare for the present

Shipping has great potential to be a clean mode of transport. Many regulations, technical installations and operational procedures are designed to minimize the effects of shipping on the marine environment. But sustainable shipping and protection of the marine ecosystem also require the competence of maritime personnel.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), aware of the importance of the ‘human element’, added the involvement of seafarers in the ‘prevention of

pollution’ to the STCW Code requirements in the 2010 Manilla amendments.

To achieve clean shipping, prepare for the future and protect the marine environment, ships’ officers now need to - understand the importance of

sustainable shipping,- understand the effects of shipping on

the marine environment, and,- be aware of his/her own personal role

in the prevention of pollution.

Human Factor & Sustainable Shipping

Marine environmental awareness stems directly from the importance of the human element – the millions of people that work with or at sea. The goal is to develop a ‘way of thinking’ and a sense of personal responsibility through:- knowledge and comprehension of the

importance and diversity of the marine environment,

- recognition of the impacts of human activities on this environment, and,

- willingness to use solutions that lessen the impact.

In fact, marine environmental awareness is essential to achieve true commercial sustainability, ecological sustainability and societal acceptance for shipping. Increased environmental awareness

contributes to sustainable use of the environment and oceans by maritime professionals.

Anonymous comments from Marine Environmental Awareness courses provide examples of the effectiveness of awareness training:

This course exceeds the positive effect from any policy measure or document.

I think that you achieved your goal of “awareness”. One does start to reflect upon the issues.

A marine awareness course is both a challenge and an inspiration.

What is Marine Environmental Awareness?

$People Profit

Planet

SustainabilitySustainability

Promote commercial sustainability

Clean shipping

Example of IMO Marine Environmental Awareness model course

Model course 1.38 based on the STCW Manilla amendments and developed by ProSea (see next page)

The model course consists of a combination of lectures and interactive workshops designed to achieve personal involvement of participants and comprehension of the issues and solutions.

Day 1Opening Course introductionWorkshop Group inventory (main issues)Marine ecology How does the sea work? (food chains, food webs, regional

areas)Shipping challenges I Discharges to the sea (oil, chemicals, sewage and solid waste)Workshop Reputation of shipping/license to operate

Day 2Shipping challenges II Invasive species, air emissions, noise, antifouling, ship recyclingWorkshop Solutions I: Pollution prevention measuresWorkshop Solutions II: Personal involvement/responsibility

Protect the marine environment

Competent maritime personnel

Marine Environmental Awareness

For more information or to experience a ProSea marine awareness course please contact us!

ProSea Marine Education FoundationDrieharingstraat 25, 3511 BH UtrechtP.O. Box 428, 3500 AK Utrecht, The NetherlandsTel. +31 (0)30-2300077 Fax +31 (0)30-2321755E-mail info@prosea.info

www.prosea.info

Who developed IMO model course 1.38?

ProSea developed the IMO model course Marine Environmental Awareness in 2010 based on its experience providing more than 100 marine environmental aware-ness courses with approximately 4.500 participants from more than 30 countries. Today, ProSea provides the 2-day IMO model course to maritime academies (students and teachers), to shipping companies and to ports, and, is pleased to tailor courses to specific wishes of the school or company.

ProSea uses a specific and succesful approach summed up in four factors:- challenge not accuse- examine how marine environmental

protection, public support and economic growth are complements

- realize the importance of the sea and its diversity

- involve on personal level to create a sense of responsibility.

ProSea publishes its educational materials and makes them available for teachers that wish to teach the model course 1.38 as developed by ProSea. This set of educational materials includes power point presentations, movies, and accompanying background articles.

With financial support from the MAVA Foundation. Photo credits: ProSea, NOAA, North Sea Foundation, Ocean Beacons International, Green Award Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.