Practical training on the turbine training ship in Japan

In Japan, the practical training on the steam turbine is indispensable for the certification of unlimited third grade engineer, which is one of the reason for the NIST (National Institute for Sea Training) having a steam turbine training ship. The revised STCW convention also states the importance of the hands-on training and the persons concerned of the MET have recognized the importance of that for safe ship operation. However, there are still so many ship accidents caused by human errors and in these days, together with an increasing number of state-of the art liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) which propulsion systems are steam turbines, it should be remembered that potential emergency situations may increase in these ships because of scarce number of engineers who are familiar with turbine plant. Once severe accident happens, it will impose heavy burden not only on shipping society but also on the environment of the earth. Those concerned may have a part of responsibilities to keep safety operation of these ships. Educating and training engine cadets to make them competent on turbine plant will become one of the most important themes which major maritime countries should take into consideration