The Maritime Human Resource Institute,Japan was established as a new public service corporation by integrating The Foundation Marine Promotion Association of Japan and The Foundation Mercantile Marine Institute of Japan (The business of The Foundation Maritime Labour Research Institute had been succeeded in the previous year) on 1st April 2007.
The main reason for the integration was to have all trainee pilots received the same financing and training under ‘ The new cultivation system for pilots’.
This institute has two important functions. Firstly, to support the new cultivation system for pilots and secondly, the continuance of the businesses,which were conducted by the previous foundaions.
Over the past few years, the number of Japanese officers has decreased. Consequently, the sustaining of pilots responsible for safety at sea has become extremely difficult.
To cope with this decrease the Ministry Land, Infrastructure and Transportation (MLIT),Japan has relaxed its rules regarding the qualifications required for a new pilot. Under the new rules it is no longer a prerequisite that a pilot is required to have captain’s experience. Additionally, MLIT has established the aforementioned pilot cultivation system.
A new 3-step license system has been introduced. A trainee pilot is required to complete mandatory subjects at a certain training facility in Japan which was authorized by the MLIT in order to be certified.
As a result it was necessary to establish the training time frame and the costing system.
This institute provides the economic backing for trainee pilots.
Furthermore, this institute is actively engaged in improving the technology of the operation of ships and pilot ships in harbour or inland sea, upgrading competence of those engaged in such work i.e. seafarers, and other programs which promote maritime technology.
All of these contribute to the increased safety and efficiency of the operation of ships and the protection of the maritime environment.
OPERATIONAL SKILL
Year 2014 & latest
The latest Information can be accessed on our database website “Maritime Forum” described below.
Year 2012&2013
In 2012, we had completed to produce the educational DVD of Engine-room Resource Management（ERM） as announced in 2011.
We thought a DVD was a useful tool to understand the competence of ERM, so we suggested that IMO include it in their Model course.
As a result, it was involved in the item “Video (DVDs) & CDs”, Part A: Course Framework for all functions of MODEL COURSE 7.04 OFFICER IN CHARGE OF AN ENGINEERING WATCH.
We had a presentation of ERM at the Sub-committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping 44th session of International Maritime Organization (IMO) which was held in London last May 2013.
You can watch the DVD of ERM online
Year 2011
The requirements concerning BRM/ERM have been introduced into the competence tables of the STCW Convention and the Code as mandatory requirements for navigation and engineer officers in the 2010 Manila amendments.
The Maritime Human Resource Institute of Japan, therefore organized an ERM expert committee that consisted of members from maritime education institutions, concerned maritime bodies and the shipping industry, to address this issue and to produce this educational DVD. It contains briefings on ERM, its requirements and case examples to allow people to learn what ERM is, what ERM principles are and what should be understood.
Doctor David Gatfield, a professor of the Warsash Maritime Academy who contributed to development of the requirements for ERM in the comprehensive review of STCW Convention and the Code, kindly participated in producing this DVD.
We hope that the lessons learned through this DVD will contribute to your safe navigation.
The same DVD “Engine-room Resource Management (ERM)” and its text will be soon available on the website
Year 2010
In 2009 we were engaged in the production of a DVD entitled “Marine Steam Turbine Plant”. That was completed at the end of November 2009.
At the Forty-first Session of the sub-committee on the Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STCW), which was held in London January 11th ~ 15th 2010, we introduced and freely distributed that DVD.
The same DVD “Marine Steam Turbine Plant” and its text are available on the website
Year 2009
The Department of Technology and Research of this institute has been engaged in the research of the various skills involved in the operation of ships.
This research is the continuation of that previously done by the Mercantile Marine Institute of Japan.
Until now, findings from our research had been provided only in the Japanese language.
We are pleased to advise that from the end of the year 2009 year we have shown our research on the “Marine Steam Turbine Plant “ by audio-visual works in English, as well as in Japanese.
SAFETY CULTURE
The Department of Technology and Research, which took over from the Maritime Labour Research Institute, has been engaged in researching of problems in maritime labour.
In 2005, this institute organized a domestic ad hoc committee regarding the human element.
The committee has continued to examine the human factor that affects the ships accidents and the safety culture in order to prevent human error.
The committee has developed the guidelines for the less-experienced officers and officer candidates in mind and has come to the conclusion that safe conduct is influenced by the following five factors, “mental health,” “physical health”, “acquired skill”, “team work” and “circumstances.”
3 representative case examples were selected to analyze for each factor.
But in order to make it clear and easily understood by less-experienced officers and officer candidates, this booklet introduces the best example of an accident for each factor and explains the “contributing factor”, the “cause” and the “preventive measures.”
Finally the guidance booklet “Guidelines for safe navigation(English version）”has been produced in 2008.
The latest information can be accessed on our database website “Maritime Forum”.
It would be greatly appreciated after you have read and used it, if you could kindly give us your feedback. We wish to consider your opinions and reflections when revising the following edition.
You can do this by accessing contact page on our database website “Maritime Forum” described below.