Simulated watchkeeping training rooted in Bridge Resource Management (BRM) principles directly boosts the operational preparedness of maritime cadets embarking on sea duty. A 2026 study conducted by Vidiana Anggeranika, Ade Taopik Hidayatuloh, and Rabbani Ischak from Banten Maritime Polytechnic (Politeknik Pelayaran Banten) reveals that structured BRM training accounts for more than half of a cadet’s overall readiness on board. Published in the Formosa Journal of Social Sciences, the study provides crucial empirical evidence demonstrating how non-technical skills—such as team communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making, and workload management—significantly mitigate human error in maritime operations.
The human factor remains the leading cause of maritime casualties globally. Analysis of ship collision reports indicates that most accidents stem from decision-making errors, lost situational awareness, and poor bridge team coordination. While international mandates under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention require BRM instruction, previous international evaluations yielded mixed results regarding its actual workplace transfer. This research addresses that gap within the Indonesian maritime vocational landscape, offering a clear model for evaluating cadet competence across technical, physical, mental, and behavioral dimensions.
To evaluate training outcomes, the research team from Banten Maritime Polytechnic implemented a convergent parallel mixed-method design. Quantitative data were gathered from 67 Nautical Science cadets who had completed or were actively undertaking sea practice. The measurement instrument utilized a 20-item questionnaire tested for high statistical reliability, yielding Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.866 for BRM training and 0.951 for cadet readiness. Concurrently, qualitative data were collected via participatory observations inside the Banten Maritime Polytechnic Bridge Simulator and through in-depth interviews with cadets to analyze real-time watchkeeping conduct.
Statistical analysis confirms a direct, positive correlation between BRM watchkeeping training and cadet readiness. The simple linear regression model produced a coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of 0.541, demonstrating that BRM training explains 54.1% of the total variance in cadet shipboard readiness. The regression equation ($Y = 5.669 + 0.949X$) indicates that for every one-unit increase in training quality, cadet readiness increases by 0.949 units.
The primary findings across the four core dimensions of cadet readiness include:
- Navigational Knowledge: Cadets exhibited strong competency in interpreting nautical charts, calculating positions, and executing standard watchkeeping procedures.
- Technical Skills: Cadets demonstrated active operation of bridge navigation equipment, though complex nautical scenarios required additional instructor guidance.
- Mental and Physical Readiness: Stress and high workloads during emergency scenarios occasionally caused a drop in cognitive focus and delayed rapid decision-making.
- Professional Attitude: Cadets established proper formal communication protocols, teamwork, and accurate logbook maintenance, though consistent procedural discipline required ongoing mentorship.
Qualitative behavioral observations highlighted a critical nuance in cadet situational awareness. While cadets performed well in basic perception and comprehension of their environment, they struggled with "projection"—the ability to anticipate how a tactical situation will develop over time in dense traffic or adverse weather. Rather than simply extending training duration, the authors argue that simulator programs must incorporate higher scenario complexity to build predictive decision-making skills.
These findings carry vital implications for maritime academies, shipping companies, and international regulatory bodies. For maritime educational institutions, integrating high-fidelity simulator practice with structured debriefing sessions provides a cost-effective preventive investment against marine casualties. For ship managers and operators, hiring cadets trained in robust BRM frameworks ensures safer watchkeeping transitions, reduced operational risks, and enhanced safety culture on commercial vessels.
Emphasizing the real-world value of these findings, Vidiana Anggeranika and her colleagues at Banten Maritime Polytechnic noted that non-technical skills cannot be treated as passive classroom subjects; rather, situational competence is actively forged when cadets face authentic operational pressures during simulator exercises.
Author Profiles
- Vidiana Anggeranika, S.Si.T., M.M. is a researcher and faculty member at Banten Maritime Polytechnic (Politeknik Pelayaran Banten), specializing in maritime navigation, bridge operations, and maritime vocational training.
- Ade Taopik Hidayatuloh, M.Pd. serves as a lecturer at Banten Maritime Polytechnic (Politeknik Pelayaran Banten), focusing on educational methodology, simulator instruction, and maritime resource management.
- Rabbani Ischak, M.Mar. is a master mariner and lecturer at Banten Maritime Polytechnic (Politeknik Pelayaran Banten), with extensive operational expertise in shipboard watchkeeping and STCW compliance.
Research Source Information
Article Title: Effectiveness of Bridge Resource Management-Based Watchkeeping Training in Improving Cadet Readiness on Board: A Mixed-Method Study at Banten Maritime Polytechnic
Journal: Formosa Journal of Social Sciences (FJSS), Vol. 5, No. 3, 2026, pp. 137–152
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjss.v5i3.15
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