Seafarers’ perceptions of training towards compliance with the ballast water management (BWM) convention

Merchant shipping is moving more than 10 billion tons of ballast water around the world annually, placing human health at risk and causing ecological and environmental damage through the transportation of pathogens and marine aquatic species. The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address this issue, is set to enter into force on the 8 September 2017. Once the Convention enters into force, seafarers conducting ballast water management (BWM) operations will need in-depth knowledge of the Convention and be proficient with standards and best practices. Lack of competence will have serious implications for seafarers (e.g. health hazards and financial penalties); and damage to the marine environment. Based on a perception survey of 25 seafarer students enrolled in their final year of training at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), this research investigates the effectiveness of maritime training providers in delivering training for seafarers certified for operational and management levels of competence, to effectively comply with the BWM Convention. The student perceptions indicated that majority of the students are satisfied with elements of BWM training which are being delivered by the AMC.