Facilitation and Practical Competency Assessment of Shiphandling Skills (Painted Ship Upon a Painted Ocean, Seamanship‪)‬

Abstract This paper will provide an overview of the three types of simulators employed during the Shiphandling/Seamanship course offered at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, discuss the virtues and limitations of each in the facilitation process, and provide techniques for competency assessment. Examples of the course's practical training exercises and critique of each methodology will be presented. The paper will offer observations comparing the employment of simulation and the use of training vessels for the dissemination of practical shiphandling skills. In conclusion, the paper will confer the relevance of the use of simulators as an integral part of experiential learning, and reinforce the importance of the facilitation and practical competency assessment of shiphandling using a "painted ship" upon a "painted ocean."