For shipping companies

Obtaining a vocational qualification in seafaring requires skills and know-how. These competencies are achieved when completing supervised onboard training (below “OBT” or “supervised OBT”) in an authentic working environment. The purpose of the training conducted onboard, is to carry out practical tasks and to acquire the know-how necessary to practice the profession in its proper operating environment.

The criteria and arrangements for OBT as part of a degree in seafaring are determined in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Guidance for the tasks to be performed during the OBT is found in the International Shipping Federation (ISF) – The On Board Training Record Book.

Supervised OBT is mainly performed on ships in shipping companies that have a documented safety management system that complies with the provisions of the ISM Code.

The goals with the supervised OBT are based on the studies that the student has completed before commencing the OBT. Each shipping company should ensure sufficient resources for supervision, so that the goals of the OBT can be met. The OBT-ship and the shipping company are responsible for the apprentice and the safe execution of the OBT and for giving the apprentice information about occupational safety and other safety aspects.

How Mylly preps the apprentices befor the start of the OBT:

At HarjoitteluMylly, we strive to confirm the OBT-placements for apprentices as early as possible. This way, all parties are aware of the placemnet in good time and the student is able to prepare for the departure. Schedule changes are often necessary and students are therefore instructed to take changes into consideration. Once the OBT-placement has been confirmed the student is instructed to be in contact with the ship/shipping company in order to agree on practical matters for the arrival. It is also a great way for the apprentice to get a chance to introduce themselves.

During corona, all apprentices have been instructed to be in voluntary quarantine or quarantine-like conditions to minimize the risk of infection on board.

Apprentices are insured by the maritime academy when performing duties during OBT. The insurance of the maritime academy does not cover leisure time during the OBT. The time when apprentices sleep, eat, or go ashore are for example not covered by the insurance. To this end, the apprentice should have their own personal insurance, such as a travel, leisure, or accident insurance.

Check out HarjoittleuMyllys rules here.

Shipping companies and ships are responsible for the OBT. HarjoitteluMylly only acts as an intermediary for OBT placements and as a link between students, shipping companies and academies.