 The present IMO Model Course is dealing with the on-board assessment, considered one of the most important aspects of the working on the ship. That is why it opens with the section underlining the need for the assessment and explaining its objective and scope; note that the relationship of the subject course with all other IMO model courses is also explained, together with the requirements commonly applicable to such assessments.
The definitions of the shipboard assessment, as well as the performance objectives, measures, and standards are provided. The three sub-steps of the performance objective have been identified in the next section of the course, followed with the one where the performance measures and standards are determined. After that, the students will proceed to the preparation of the assessment package and the assessment process.
The scope of the pre-assessment meeting is described in the following section, together with the established procedures and associated criteria and standards. Covering the important aspect of shipboard work, the course is a must-pass for every mariner intending to join the ship and the content shall be conveyed to them as necessary.
 The marine environmental awareness, to which the content of this IMO model course is devoted, is intended to represent the significant input of the humans to the protection of the environment. That is the reason why the associated training shall cover the both aspects of the contemporary maritime transportation industry, namely the care for the environment and the value of the human performance.
One of the missions of the IMO as part of the UN is, among others, promotion of the environmentally sound shipping. The training materials compiled by the authors of this course will offer students a proper knowledge and due understanding of the significance and diversity of the entire marine environment together with the awareness of the impacts that the modern maritime industry has on the environment.
The course also covers the applicable regulations applied by the IMO and gives valuable instructions on how the compliance could be achieved. It is also intended to stimulate the responsibility of the shipboard personnel to use the options contributing to the above mentioned environmentally-friendly maritime shipping. Recommended to all crew members and shore support personnel.
 The file contains the draft IMO Model Course 1.31 plus the compendium. There are ten major sections in the present course. The first section covers the essentials of the shipboard radio equipment and systems including the definitions, classification of these systems and their purpose, terminal equipment and signals, modulation and noise stability, error protection, electronic compatibility, measuring methods etc.
The second section focuses on the radio communication equipment such as the SART, EPIRB, NAVTEX receivers and VHF radio installations, INMARSAT and so many others. The microprocessors are dealt with in the third section of the course with the tasks of the microprocessor systems, system architecture, direct memory access and other aspects. The fourth section is dealing with the electronic means of navigation, starting with the basic navigation concepts, and then going through all equipment used on board modern ships.
The significant part of the course is devoted to the shipborne radar including their working principles, structure scheme, functions, and components. The rest of the course acquaints the trainees with the shipboard radionavigation systems, regulatory framework and established radio communication procedures, and maintenance of the equipment installed on board ships as part of the GMDSS.
 The material contained in the present IMO Model course is arranged in several modules covering all aspects of the security awareness that shall be possessed by the personnel engaged in the port operations and assigned with the security duties as part of their day to day operation. The first module provides general introduction to the subject and explains the operations of the ships and ports together with the associated conditions, and the ongoing patterns and threats. The second module covers the general maritime security policy while the third module concentrates on the security responsibilities including ones of the ship and port facility security officers.
Upon completion of the above modules, the trainees will proceed to the next one where the PFSP, standing for the port facility security plan, is explained, with the basic assessment tools, preparation techniques and tips on implementation of the plan. The next module focuses on the port facility security actions – note that the cargo handling procedures as per the IMDG Code are also covered here. The security equipment is the topic of the sixth module, followed by the one where the threats are identified, recognized and responded…
 The use of the IBS and the INS, standing for the integrated bridge and integrated navigation systems, correspondingly, installed on board modern seagoing vessels, requires sufficient knowledge which would normally be well beyond the regular training scope for the officers. That was the main reason for designing the present model course – the idea was to provide necessary additional training on the operation and use of the subject systems, duly recognizing the fact that their arrangement can significantly differ.
The trainees are expected to have some very essential understanding of the subject and the IMO Model Course 7.03 “Office in Charge of a Navigational Watch” is a pre-requisite. The course will start with the introductory information on the INS and IBS where the main terminology is explained and some insights into the relevant IMO standard are given.
The second section discusses the benefits of using the integrated bridge systems, followed by the chapters where the bridge procedures are covered together with the basic principles of their use. The chapters on the automatic control functions of the integrated navigation systems and familiarization training conclude the course.
 This IMO Model curse was developed to provide the trainees with the necessary info related to the generic us of the shipboard automatic identification systems, or AIS. The course is mainly aimed at the OOW serving on board vessels with the subject equipment installed. The idea is to contribute to both safety and security of the maritime shipping as well as protection of the marine environment.
The valuable informative instructions are provided, supplemented with the numerous illustrations showing the improper use of the AIS. All of the relevant guidelines and resolutions of the IMO has been duly reflected. The trainees, who have successfully completed all parts of this course, will be able to clearly state the system objectives and describe how it works, explain the benefits of the AIS and understand the associated technical limitations, and also conduct proper interpretation of the data and identification of the symbols used.
In addition to the above, they will be able to make proper decisions and demonstrate their competency in the usage of the system, send the safety messages and respond to them, apply the system during the SAR operations etc. The course is recommended to everyone and only to those about to join the vessel as the information provided will be useful for everyone.
 Traditionally for all IMO Model Courses, this one opens with the general introduction to the provisions of the STCW Convention. The main content of the course is divided into twelve sections, and four of them are related to the passenger and cargo safety plus the integrity of the ship’s hull, including the procedures established for the loading and embarkation, marine transportation of the dangerous cargo, stability and trim calculation, cargo securing on board and evaluation of the hull stress.
After that, the students will get to know about the hull openings and the associated sealing surveys, as well as the deck atmosphere on board ro-ro vessels. Once all above has been successfully completed, the next section starts dealing with the human behavior and crisis management, including the optimization of the available resources, associated safety regulations, design and layout considerations, emergency response techniques and procedures, passenger response, establishing and maintaining effective communication and many other aspects considered important for the purpose of this course. Numerous practical exercises have been included to track the progress of the trainees; the course concludes with the review and assessment part.
 This IMO Model Course is devoted to the ro-ro passenger vessels and is covering the four basic training areas for the crew members assigned with the specific responsibilities and duties on board such vessels. In the first part of the course, the introduction to the STCW convention and its basic provisions and principles is provided, being considered a foundation of the knowledge and prerequisite for this training.
The second part gives the crowd management training which is actually required as necessary for the captains, officers, as well as the ratings and other crew members who are expected to assist the passengers in case of any emergency and so designated on the ship’s muster list; this would include the limitations imposed by the design of the ship and operation, stability and stress requirements, emergency procedures and many other aspects.
Then, the students proceed to the familiarization training given with the purpose to ensure that the relevant personnel do have necessary abilities. Finally, the safety training is a must item for all crew members directly liaising with the passengers, including the communication and proper usage of the shipboard lifesaving appliances.
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