KVH Videotel, part of KVH Industries, Inc. has announced that it has launched an eLearning suite for marine engineers, covering 12 critical subject areas and containing 100 modules. Practical Engineering Suite delivers training to a level of competence required by the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), with a practical, stimulating mixture of training styles, and accessible on a variety of platforms, including mobile devices, an industry first. KVH Videotel will be presenting the Practical Engineering Suite at Nor-Shipping in Lillestrom, Norway, this week, in the KVH Videotel booth, B04-20.

The need for this series emerged from analysing seafarer training data in KVH Videotel’s extensive database of more than 14 million training interactions with more than 350,000 seafarers worldwide.

“Analysis of the training data we record clearly shows a weakness in performance in engineering-related test assessment,” says Mark Woodhead, KVH senior vice president, EMEA. “Discussion with our customers further suggests that the gaps in marine engineers’ knowledge is often tied to the core underlying principles, so the Practical Engineering Suite strips everything back to basics, and covers the underpinning knowledge that all engineers should possess. It also provides accompanying assessments to check the learners’ knowledge and provide evidence for record-keeping purposes. Practical Engineering Suite helps shipping companies address weaknesses in engineering skills at sea with confidence that the modules have been devised by a team of IMarEST Chartered Engineers.”

Practical Engineering Suite is designed to support the fundamental reference and learning needs of engineers. The topics addressed are:

• Ship Construction
• Propulsion Systems
• Fuel Oils
• Bunkering & Transfer
• Fuel Oil Treatment
• Diesel Engines
• Main Engine Fuel Systems
• Boilers
• Auxiliary Machinery
• Pumps & Pumping
• Steering Gear
• Clutches & Gearbox

“Practical Engineering Suite was inspired by KVH Videotel’s longstanding engineering program, COBALT, and uses the latest learning technology,” says Mr. Woodhead. “It is interactive, has 3D elements, and deploys animated graphics. It has a fresh new look and feel, and, most importantly, is compatible with all mobile devices so that seafarers can access it wherever they are.”

KVH Videotel is renowned for its ties to industry and its ability to move quickly to address changes in maritime business conditions and regulations. With its database of training data, KVH Videotel can also react in a timely manner to how seafarers are consuming their training and how shipping companies are managing onboard training. Ongoing analysis of the training data and the ability to spot gaps and opportunities enables KVH Videotel to continuously propose training improvements and assistance to their customers in a variety of ways.

KVH Videotel’s training solutions are in use on more than 12,000 vessels worldwide, and include 950 new and updated titles to meet current seafarer training needs. The KVH Videotel programs are available in a range of formats, including 500+ eLearning courses, more than twice the number of computer-based training (CBT) programs offered by competitors.

KVH Videotel’s Basic Training Package of 20 essential maritime training programs is available via KVH’s IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service, which utilises multicasting technology to deliver news, sports, entertainment, and operations content without using vessels’ monthly airtime data allotments. The Basic Training Package is also a component of AgilePlansTM by KVH, the recently announced all-inclusive, no commitment connectivity package for commercial maritime fleets.

Tags: KVH Industries Inc., KVH Videotel