The Debate on Reduced Commercial Sea Time

I've often been asked about my thoughts on the reduction of required sea time for commercial vessels compared to the "good old days." Back when I held my Queensland Grade 4, it required four years of sea time. Since then, state governments and AMSA have gradually lowered these requirements. Interestingly, this trend mirrors changes in other trades, like plumbing and electrical work, where apprentice time has also been reduced. How many times have you heard, "In my day, we did proper sea time"?

Let me share an analogy. In the early 1980s, my boss bought an 80-foot luxury charter vessel, which had six cabins and a permanent berth at Hamilton Island. Each year, we were chartered for the game season, spending about three months at sea. During that time, I had to learn how to operate a new HF radio system for American clients who needed to make business calls back home. It took me several months to become proficient enough to guide others in using it correctly.

Fast forward to today: my son and I recently sailed to East Diamond Islet, 216 nautical miles from Airlie Beach, equipped with a Starlink connection. Setting up the antenna and modem took less than 30 minutes, and soon our phones were ringing. The pace of technological advancement raises an important question: do we still need extensive sea time to become competent commercial vessel masters?

In my early days, good maritime information was hard to come by. I learned hands-on from seasoned sailors, absorbing knowledge that is now readily available at our fingertips through the internet. However, what happens when technology fails - like a power outage or a dropped phone? That’s when experience and sea time become crucial for safe navigation.

The amount of required sea time should relate to the type of vessel and the operational area. With Elon Musk's expanding Starlink network, soon there will be virtually no area without communication. Additionally, today’s vessel owners can easily manoeuvre their boats using joystick controls and automated systems, raising questions about the need for traditional skills.

So, do I agree with the reduction in sea time? Are today’s sailors disadvantaged by less hands-on experience? Are passengers at greater risk with modern masters who have less sea time, or has technology effectively replaced the need for extensive experience?

What do you think?

Capt. Cal

Sail your own course.

info@smallvesselsmanual.com