Classification society DNV has introduced a competence standard for vessel remote control centre operators (RCCO).
The standard is supported by a recommended practice (RP) that offers a certification scheme for RCCOs. Together, they provide a framework for training, assessing, and certifying personnel working in remote-control centres that support or manage operations at sea.
The framework was developed in collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime, Wilhelmsen, as well as the University of South-Eastern Norway, and the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
Torsten Schröder, SeaSkill service manager, competence and learning at DNV Maritime, said: “Making sure that shore-based staff are prepared for autonomous, remote-controlled or remotely supported operations at sea is a big challenge. When it comes the wider application of these technologies, trust in the systems, and the people managing these operations is paramount. This is why we are so pleased to have developed the RP with expert partners from across the industry. Having a wide range of expertise was essential to devising a uniform and controlled approach to the training, assessment and certification of RCCOs.”
The RP gives guidance to centres conducting examinations of remote-control centre operators and issuing personnel certificates as a certification body. It also covers the competence building process for candidates before undertaking an RCCO examination, for example learning programmes and practice sessions in the centres themselves.
The DNV SeaSkill standard ST-0324 provides a foundation for the entire process. It lists the required competencies for the operation of autonomous or remotely controlled and/or supported ships.
RCCO certificates can be registered in an existing DNV online database, making it possible for interested parties to verify qualifications and validity of an RCCO certificate.
To ensure transparency in this emerging field and build trust among users and the public, examination centres, certification bodies, as well as the training centres, their RCC simulators and learning programmes for RCCOs can also be certified by DNV.
