The Mentoring Role for Maritime Cadets' Guidance in Seafaring Carrier

Abstract

This article is a result of a joint research conducted by the international team of SEAMENTORS project ”SEAfarers Experiential Knowledge Based MENTORS”, project no. 2021-1-RO01-KA220-VET-000029622, (www.seamentors.eu), implemented under Erasmus+ KA220 Vocational Education and Training, by Romanian Naval Academy (coordinator), Lithuanian Maritime Academy, Bulgarian Naval Academy, Polish Naval Academy, Spinaker Co and Maritime Innovators. According to the project objectives, the research team has concluded a survey study, applied on the cadets’ and professionals’ perception, aiming to disclose the importance of the mentorship programs during the cadetship training stages at sea. For this purpose, the authors have developed a KAP Survey Model (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices questionnaire), seeking to collect the opinions and to analyse the impact of mentorship practices onboard the commercial and military ships. In compliance with the STCW standards, STW 44/3/2 Leadership and Teamwork, HTW 5/3/2 Leadership and Managerial Skills, correlated with HTW 5.3.5 Crisis management and human behaviour training, as developed under the supervision of the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping, the study is revealing in its concluding remarks, the role of mentoring for assuring an effective and smooth insertion of seafaring professionals onboard the ships, in balance with educational, training and coaching operational dimensions.