Effect of Training on Shipboard Oil Pollution Violations
Industrialization has brought forth comforts and catastrophes. In the regular scheme of technological developments, the worst malady faced by man is the defilement of the environment. Shipping, being a heavily regulated industry, has contributed less in comparison to other land-based polluters, but the enormity of an oil spill and the post-spill clean-ups are reasons enough for countries to tighten the pollution laws. Today, any action violating these laws is seen as a crime. Ships are being detained, penalized for pollution violations. Environmental concerns and criminalizing incidents have become issues of concern. While considering these viewpoints, a worthwhile approach would be to look at the seafarer training. Assessment of the competency of the shipboard officer is largely carried out by examinations and onboard assessments. This could be extended to other means such as research surveys. The chapter projects inputs from a study undertaken to assess the level of training and awareness in pollution matters amongst shipboard officers.