Forming Readiness in Future Navigators for Professional Activity in Maritime Universities of Great Britain

Abstract

Abstract The article is devoted to the problem on training of maritime specialists in universities of Great Britain; in particular, it is a question of training navigators. It was noted that there are dozens of maritime educational institutions and a long tradition of training maritime specialists in the country. The system of maritime education in the United Kingdom is effective, and the level of training of specialists, including navigators, allows them to qualitatively perform their official duties on ships, which, in its turn, guarantees the safety of navigation. The peculiarity of professional training of navigators is that the educational program is focused on practical activities in accordance with the requirements of the rules of the International Convention on the Training and Certification of Seafarers, recommendations of the International Maritime Organization and other regulatory documents. It was found out that the UK Nautical Institute is working on the continuous improvement of the educational level of specialists operating maritime vessels. The article also discusses the training of navigators at the Maritime Centre of the University of London and at the University of Plymouth. The training of navigators on simulators is considered as a type of practical training and is conducted in accordance with national and international requirements for a computer simulator complex and software training complexes. The author of the article draws attention to the sufficient number of modern simulators, training equipment and laboratories, which are used to work out practical skills of future navigators. It has also been clarified that in all UK maritime higher education institutions the mandatory condition for successful completion of training is the completion of maritime professional practice. The number of hours for such practices is determined by the relevant regulations. The high ranking of British maritime education institutions attracts students from around the world. For international students there are comfortable conditions for admission, study and residence. They can improve their English language skills and take preparatory courses for admission.