Comments from Dr Swapan Das Sarma, GlobalMET Director

1. Your views on current Maritime HR challenges: This will differ from one country to other. For India, the challenge is in the areas of recruitment where the quality standards vary widely across the MET institutions. The other area is the need for timely communication with onboard crew from the shore-based office; the crew must feel as part of the organization and feel that the company cares about his contribution and are in touch with his family, as needed.

2. Your views on current technologies such as Electronic Navigation, the advantages, and the pitfalls: The advantages are related to improved navigation, reduction of fatigue and stress on watchkeeper and maintaining an on-board record of navigation which can be investigated as necessary. This also allows ships to be monitored from ashore. The particular advantage will be in restricted and congested waters with traffic separation where a surveillance is active from shore based facilities. Reduction of shipboard manpower will also be a benefit. Disadvantage is on over-reliance on automation and encouraging lack of attention, and

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