Your vessel may be equipped with the most advanced technology and the most powerful engines, but the failure to apply the basic principles of bridge resource management can still prevent you from getting where you are going. Satellite systems, ARPA, electronic charts, AIS, sophisticated communication equipment and integrated navigational systems—all these advanced technologies provide valuable capabilities. But accidents still happen, and they usually involve human error. This simple fact has made Bridge Resource Management (BRM) training a requirement for watchkeepers worldwide. Bridge Resource Management for Small Ships: The Watchkeeper’s Manual for Limited-Tonnage Vessels is the first book to address the unique needs of operators of small ships (limited-tonnage vessels) including tugs, ferries, yachts, and other passenger-carrying vessels. Features: Case histories to illustrate important points A complete course in BRM, suited for studying on your own as well as a complement to your classwork Topics include: Introduction to BRM, Standard Operating Procedures, Passage Planning, Implementing the Passage Plan, Building a Passage Plan, Situational Awareness and Human Factors, including: Overreliance, Distraction, Stress, Fatigue, Complacency, and Transition; and Human Interactions, including Communications, Teams and Teamwork, Decision Making and Leadership, and Human Error

This course complies with the Convention on standards of training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended in 1995 chapter VIII, part 3-1 and will satisfy a shipping company's obligation to implement a Bridge resource management (BRM) training program.

Hiroaki Kobayashi has trained 1500 mariners in ship handling over twenty years and he has systematized the methods of safe navigation into nine elemental techniques. Taking a rigorous and scientific look at good practice and attitudes, good seamanship can be viewed as a series of concrete technical functions, which can be in terms of competencies. By giving proper attention to human factors the conditions for maintaining system safety can be defined, and the interaction of human competencies and environmental conditions and their effects on system safety can be recognised. System safety in turn depends on good bridge team management, with particular emphasis on communication, cooperation and leadership – communication for the exchange of information, cooperation to smooth team activities, and leadership to ensure that each member of the team performs successfully.

This is a comprehensive introduction and guide to Maritime required Bridge Resource Management training for ships officers, watch keepers and crew members. Case studies of several maritime accidents offer insight into the benefits of using each resource available to a crew member on board ship. Satisfies requirements if STCW, IMO, USCG, and NTSB.