Just about a hundred years ago, ships were sent abroad to transport
goods which might already have been sold or which had to be sold at their destination by
the skipper or master. Searching for, and bringing back, new cargo was often entirely in
the hands of the master and herefore the profits of the owner were in his hands.
Developments in Postal Services, Telephone, Telegraph and Wireless
Communication took place, and slowly the shipowner came to interfere with the authority of
the master. Steam as a means of propulsion gave ships the possibility of 'sailing' without
wind, although the master became dependent on a certain group of 'different' people,
performing magic things deep down in the belly of the ship.
This created two groups of "different" cultures.
Maritime Education and training in general, characterized itself by
being too traditional for too long a period of time, often due to antique legislation
which cannot be changed quickly. The Netherlands was one of the countries which recognized
the need for economic and legislative changes. These changes, however, seem to have
dramatically influenced other elements, on board as well as at the Educational
Institutions.
Since 1984, Maritime Educational Institutions in The Netherlands have
been educating their cadets towards a 'Dual Licence'. This resulted in a 'multi-purpose'
ship's officer, effective on deck, in the radioroom and in the engine room.
The creation of this multi-purpose officer was only possible through
the availability, and application of modern technology in the ships he was to sail. Modern
technology appeared in the field of automation and communication.
2 Ecomomic Factors
Economic factors cannot be seen as an isolated subject, but have to be
seen as an overall, major factor in relation to safe and sound shipping policy with a
minimum required crew. Economic
