Category Archives: Maritime Education and Training

Future Sailors Protect the Marmara Sea with the MarBalast Project!

Posted on by

The “Raising Awareness on Marmara Sea Ballast and Bilge Pollution” project, supported by European Union Projects, draws attention to the environmental threats facing the Marmara Sea and aims to raise awareness among future sailors.
Environmental pollution caused by ballast and bilge water wastes originating from ships poses a serious threat to the Marmara Sea ecosystem. Although MARPOL and IMO Environmental Pollution rules aim to prevent this pollution, human factors and a lack of awareness can cause problems to continue.
At this point, the MarBalast Project was carried out under the consultancy of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Cicek aims to raise awareness through training for maritime students. Within the scope of the “Raising Awareness on Marmara Sea Ballast and Bilge Pollution” project, supported by European Union initiatives, highlights the environmental threats facing the Marmara Sea and aims to educate future sailors.
Pollution resulting from ship ballast and bilge water waste poses a significant threat to the Marmara Sea ecosystem. Although MARPOL and IMO environmental regulations are designed to prevent this pollution, human factors and a lack of awareness can lead to ongoing issues.
The MarBalast Project, guided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Cicek seeks to raise awareness among maritime students through specialized training. As part of this project, the project team will organize conferences and workshops on maritime management and the importance of pollution prevention at various maritime faculties and high schools across Turkey.The project will last eight months and be executed by the Istanbul Technical University Maritime Technologies Club. Through the MarBalast Project, future sailors will learn about environmentally responsible maritime practices and contribute to protecting the Marmara Sea.
The main objectives of the project are:

  • To inform maritime students about the environmental damage caused by ships.
  • To emphasize the importance of adhering to international maritime regulations such as MARPOL and IMO.
  • To raise awareness aimed at minimizing environmental damage stemming from human activities.
  • To cultivate environmentally conscious generations of future sailors.

The MarBalast Project promises hope for the future of the Marmara Sea!

SERS™4Team Optimizing the Engine Room Simulator Configurations using GDS SERS™. The GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator Team System (SERS™4Team) is a cutting-edge maritime simulation platform designed to enhance collaborative teamwork in the maritime industry. Specifically developed to meet the IMO STCW 2010 Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, including Model Course 2.07 (2017 Ed.), SERS™4Team provides comprehensive marine engineering training through an immersive full mission engine room simulator (ERS) environment.   SERS™4Team focuses on IMO Engine Room Resource Management principles, enabling trainees to develop critical skills in communication, decision-making, and task allocation within a realistic engine room setting. The system covers all aspects of engine room operations, from ship electrical systems to main propulsion, and offers training at both operational and management levels.   Furthermore, SERS™4Team facilitates in-depth assessment and evaluation of trainee performance, allowing instructors to identify strengths and weaknesses. Advanced tools for root-cause analysis and troubleshooting enable trainees to understand and learn from their mistakes, ultimately improving their technical skills and problem-solving abilities. By incorporating scenarios focused on energy efficiency, SERS™4Team promotes best practices for optimized fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact. This ensures that trainees are not only technically proficient but also environmentally responsible. Sources and related content

Optimizing Maritime Engineering Training: A Deep Dive into the SERS™4Team Simulator

Posted on by

Our new paper about SERS™ and ERM Training has been published in the Proceedings of IMLA 29.

Paper Reference Information (APA):

Ismail Cicek and Burak Cavusoglu (2024). An Optimized Ship Engine Room Simulator Configuration for Effective Engine Room Resource Management Training. Proceedings of the International Maritime Lecturers Association (IMLA) Conference. Pages 36-50. Conference held on September 25-28, Istanbul, Turkey.

Download our Paper in PDF File:

Cavusoglu&Cicek-An Optimize Shipr Engine Room Simulator Configuration for ERM trainingDownload
CavusogluCicek-An-Optimize-Shipr-Engine-Room-Simulator-Configuration-for-ERM-training

As part of the IMLA 2024 Conference, the new engine room simulator, called Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS™) 4Team, SERS™4Team, has been demonstrated by Istanbul Technical University.

There was a great interest in the SERS™4Team demonstrations at the GDS booth and demonstrations at the Istanbul Technical University.

There was a great interest in the SERS™4Team demonstrations at the GDS booth and demonstrations at the Istanbul Technical University.

Optimizing Maritime Engineering Training: A Deep Dive into the SERS™4Team Simulator

The International Maritime Lecturers’ Association (IMLA) 2024 Conference provided a compelling platform for showcasing advancements in maritime education and training. Among the highlights was the demonstration of Istanbul Technical University’s latest innovation: the Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS™) 4Team. This cutting-edge simulator offers a significant leap forward in training maritime engineers, addressing critical challenges and aligning with contemporary industry standards.

The SERS™ 4Team distinguishes itself through its robust capabilities for both research and training, focusing on engine performance management within a collaborative teamwork environment. This emphasis on collaborative teamwork is crucial, reflecting the complex and interdependent nature of modern ship engine rooms. The simulator facilitates training in a full mission training configuration, allowing multiple trainees to interact within a virtual engine room environment, mirroring real-world operational dynamics. This approach directly addresses the need for effective communication, coordination, and shared decision-making in critical situations.

A key strength of the SERS™ 4Team lies in its ability to simulate a wide array of scenarios, including those with potentially catastrophic consequences. Notably, the simulator can recreate events leading to a blackout of the ship, a scenario of paramount concern in maritime safety. By allowing trainees to experience and respond to such high-stakes situations in a controlled environment, the SERS™ 4Team fosters crucial decision-making skills and enhances preparedness for real-world emergencies. This focus on critical scenarios directly supports the development of competencies outlined in the IMO STCW 2010 Convention, ensuring that trainees are equipped to handle complex and challenging operational conditions.

Furthermore, the SERS™ 4Team is designed with cost-effectiveness in mind. By providing a virtual training environment, the simulator reduces the reliance on expensive and potentially hazardous onboard training, offering a more sustainable and accessible approach to maritime education. This cost-effectiveness does not compromise the quality of training; on the contrary, the simulator offers a controlled and repeatable learning experience, allowing trainees to practice complex procedures and respond to critical scenarios multiple times, enhancing their understanding and proficiency.

The simulator’s design explicitly incorporates exercises and scenarios derived from the IMO Model Course 2.07, ensuring that training aligns with internationally recognized standards for marine engineering education. This alignment underscores the simulator’s commitment to delivering high-quality, standardized training that meets the evolving demands of the maritime industry. By integrating the principles of Collaborative Teamwork within a Full Mission Training Configuration, and by addressing critical scenarios such as ship blackouts, the SERS™ 4Team offers a powerful tool for optimizing maritime engineering training and enhancing maritime safety, fully supporting the development of IMO STCW 2010 Competencies. This innovative approach to training promises to significantly contribute to the development of competent and resilient maritime engineers.

Download the Full Proceedings: IMLA 2024 Conference Proceedings held between 25-28 September 2025, Istanbul, Turkey:

Proceedings-of-IMLA-29
Engine Room Simulator (ERS), Marine Engineering Training, Maritime Simulation, IMO STCW 2010 Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, Model Course 2.07 (2017 Ed.), Ship Electrical Systems, Full Mission, Assessment, Evaluation, Root-Cause Analysis, Troubleshooting, Performance, Operational Level, Management Level, Energy Efficiency, Online Training
Technical Proficiency: The GDS simulator helps personnel develop advanced skills in troubleshooting and maintaining complex machinery, which is crucial for achieving SIRE 2.0’s standards for operational excellence. Environmental Compliance: With a growing emphasis on environmental regulations, the simulator enables crew members to familiarize themselves with compliance standards and practice procedures that reduce environmental impact, such as optimizing fuel usage and managing waste effectively. Safety Protocols: Through realistic training scenarios, the simulator reinforces safety protocols, ensuring that personnel can identify and mitigate risks, which is a core component of the SIRE 2.0 inspection program.

SIRE 2.0 Training and GDS SERS™

Posted on by

The Importance of SIRE 2.0 and GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator in Developing Advanced Skills for Onboard Maritime Personnel

The maritime industry has significantly pushed towards technological advancement and stricter safety and operational standards in recent years. As vessels become more sophisticated and regulations evolve, the role of well-trained onboard maritime personnel becomes increasingly essential. In this context, the SIRE 2.0 program and GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator represent pioneering tools designed to equip maritime crews with deep technical skills necessary to meet new demands and improve the safety and efficiency of maritime operations. These tools provide a more immersive and practical learning experience, allowing crew members to understand ship operations and emergency procedures better, thereby enhancing their ability to respond effectively in real-world situations.

Understanding SIRE 2.0 and Its Impact on Maritime Training

A Team That Loves to Create

The Ship Inspection Report Program (SIRE) has long been a fundamental tool in maintaining safety and operational standards across the maritime industry, particularly for tanker operations. Launched by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), the program provides a comprehensive inspection system that evaluates the condition and operations of vessels. However, with the growing complexity of modern ships and stricter environmental and safety regulations, the traditional SIRE program required enhancements to address these evolving needs. This led to the development of SIRE 2.0, an upgraded version that integrates data-centric inspection methodologies with a stronger focus on crew competency, operational excellence, and technical skills.

One of SIRE 2.0's key features is its focus on assessing crew members' competency in handling complex equipment and operations. Rather than focusing solely on vessel conditions, SIRE 2.0 evaluates the practical skills, knowledge, and decision-making abilities of onboard personnel. This ensures that crew members are familiar with equipment and operational standards and capable of responding effectively to critical situations.

The emphasis on crew competency in SIRE 2.0 aligns with the industry’s shift toward a human-centered approach to safety and operational excellence. This paradigm shift means that training programs must go beyond traditional instruction and delve into more practical, technology-driven skills, where simulators like the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator come into play.

The Role of the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator in Skill Development

Keep It Simple

The GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator is an advanced training tool that replicates the engine room environment of modern vessels, providing maritime personnel with hands-on experience in a controlled setting. This simulator covers many critical systems in ship engine rooms, including propulsion, auxiliary machinery, electrical systems, and emergency protocols. By using the simulator, crew members can practice their skills, refine their decision-making processes, and gain confidence in handling complex systems without the risks associated with real-world errors.

The simulator allows trainees to engage in realistic scenarios, such as equipment failures, power management issues, and environmental challenges. This training is invaluable in helping them develop deep technical skills needed to respond effectively under pressure. Given the increasing complexity of ship machinery, which often integrates digital and automated controls, such simulator-based training ensures that personnel are well-prepared for routine and emergency operations.

Developing Deep Technical Skills with SIRE 2.0 and the GDS Simulator

By integrating SIRE 2.0’s competency standards with the practical capabilities of the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator, maritime training institutions can foster deep tech skills that are essential in today’s high-stakes maritime environment. Training programs using these tools can address various aspects, including:

  1. Operational Readiness: By simulating real-life engine room conditions, the GDS simulator enables personnel to understand systems and processes intuitively, aligning with SIRE 2.0’s focus on crew readiness and situational awareness.
  2. Crisis Management and Decision-Making: The simulator provides scenarios that replicate emergencies, allowing trainees to practice crisis response, prioritize actions, and make critical decisions under pressure.
  3. Technical Proficiency: The GDS simulator helps personnel develop advanced skills in troubleshooting and maintaining complex machinery, which is crucial for achieving SIRE 2.0’s standards for operational excellence.
  4. Environmental Compliance: With a growing emphasis on environmental regulations, the simulator enables crew members to familiarize themselves with compliance standards and practice procedures that reduce environmental impact, such as optimizing fuel usage and managing waste effectively. The SIRE 2.0 program also plays a crucial role in this aspect, as it evaluates a vessel’s environmental management systems and crew’s awareness of environmental issues, ensuring that the vessel operates in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
  5. Safety Protocols: The simulator reinforces safety protocols through realistic training scenarios, ensuring that personnel can identify and mitigate risks, a core SIRE 2.0 inspection program component. The SIRE 2.0 program, focusing on crew competency and operational excellence, further enhances safety by ensuring that crew members are well-trained and capable of handling emergencies effectively, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew.
SIRE 2.0 Training, Engine Room Simulator (ERS), Ship Engine Room Simulator (SERS) Marine Engineering Training, Maritime Simulation, IMO STCW 2010 Standards for Training and Certification of Watchkeeping, Model Course 2.07 (2017 Ed.), Ship Electrical Systems, Full Mission, Assessment, Evaluation, Root-Cause Analysis, Troubleshooting, Performance, Operational Level, Management Level, Energy Efficiency, Online Training

Enhancing the Future of Maritime Training

Training methodologies must evolve accordingly as the maritime industry continues to advance technologically. SIRE 2.0 and the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator represent a forward-thinking approach to maritime training that emphasizes deep technical skills, operational competence, and environmental awareness. By embedding these elements into their training programs, maritime institutions can ensure that their personnel are qualified to operate today’s vessels and prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s maritime landscape.

In summary, the combination of SIRE 2.0 standards and the immersive experience of the GDS Ship Engine Room Simulator is a critical step forward for maritime training. Using SERS in SIRE 2.0 training provides a more skilled, adaptable workforce better equipped to operate in a complex, evolving industry, ultimately enhancing global maritime operations’ safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.