Identifying knowledge gaps in master level bridge team andresource management

Bridge team and resource management trainings and evaluations have been a hot topic for the maritime domain for a while. However, studies regarding these topics have largely been about methods of training and/or evaluation, as well as the effectiveness of these methods. A literature review was conducted and a research gap on evaluation results, and as such the knowledge gaps, of today's seafarers was identified. In this dissertation, a method of evaluation is proposed, prepared and carried out utilizing a maritime simulator complex. Firstly, the key topics of bridge team and resource management are identified. Then, simulator scenarios are prepared in order to test the performances of oceangoing masters in these key topics. After this, these scenarios are carried out by participants of oceangoing master rank. Following the simulator applications, a one way analysis of variation is done. This method is chosen due to the nature of the data being one independent variable with multiple dependent variables, and the one way analysis of variation lets us see any relationship between these. The results are then examined in order to determine the knowledge gaps of the participants. It is found that the participants have knowledge gaps in topics of communication, collision prevention and emergency handling. These topics are then more closely examined, and further research is suggested.