Bridge Resource Management

The purpose of this course is to provide trainees with the knowledge and understanding of ship maneuvering and bridge resource management (BRM) principles, allowing trainees to become proficient in the application of these principles in maintaining a safe and efficient navigational watch. Attendees receive instruction and discussion on the effective use of all available resources to enhance navigation safety. Emphasis is on the BRM behaviors necessary to achieve effective teamwork and how to minimize accidents caused by human error.


This course is practical and theoretical and incorporates a series of exercises performed on a ship handling simulator. The exercises increase in complexity as the course progresses. The final exercises deal with the planning and execution of a coastal passage from port to port and will make use of the knowledge and skills learned in all of the previous exercises. Equipment failure or malfunction will be introduced during the later exercise to afford trainees practice in taking emergency preventative action and to practice bridge teamwork in critical situations. The selection of simulation exercises and ship models can be tailored to the particular needs of the students and their sponsoring organizations.

During exercises, trainees are expected to make use of effective bridge procedures, to comply with International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), and to observe the basic principles of keeping a navigational watch as set out in the STCW. Each simulation exercise will be preceded by a session for briefing and planning and followed by a debriefing.

Version 4
Revision Date [06/2017] Page 2 of 5
This course is designed to satisfy the following STCW95 and CFR training requirements:

• STCW Table A-II-1 (Bridge Resource Management Section)
• STCW Table A-II/1 Leadership and Team working
• Section B-VIII/2, Part 3-1 of the STCW
• The practical assessments in this will be accepted as the equivalent of the following assessments form the USCG National Assessment Guidelines for
• Table A-II/1 of the STCW Code Tasks 2.7 A thru 2.7G and 18.1A thru 18.5A
• Also; Table A-II/2 of the STCW Code: M-5-1D; M-7-4A; M-8-1A; M-8-2A; M-8-3A; M-8-4A; M-8-5A; M-8-6A; M-8-6B; M-8-8A and M-8-9A.

Trainees who successfully complete this course will have gained experience and proficiency in handling ships under various conditions and will make a more effective contribution to the bridge team during ship maneuvering in normal and emergency situations. In particular, trainees will be able to describe, explain and apply the following concepts:

1. The use of engines and helm for ship maneuvering
2. The effects on the behavior of the ship of wind, current, shallow water, banks and narrow channels
3. The causes of marine casualties and the need for effective BRM
4. How to detect errors and omissions and prevent error chains from developing
5. How to develop and maintain good situational awareness
6. Error trapping, human performance, and checklists
7. Stress and fatigue
8. Communication and assertiveness
9. Cultural awareness
10. Leadership and teamwork; coaching and mentoring
11. Briefing and debriefing
12. Voyage planning and short-term strategy
13. Routine and emergency voyage execution and monitoring
14. Pilot relations

Attendees successfully completing the course will be awarded a USCG Approved Certificate of Training for satisfactory completion of a Five-Day Bridge Resource Management & Ship Simulation Course issued by Resolve Maritime Academy. To successfully complete the course a participant must:

1.  Attend all class sessions.
2. Participate in all the ship simulation exercises to the satisfaction of the instructor. A comprehensive assessment tool will be utilized to evaluate student performance in ship handling and the application of BRM principles and techniques.
3. Complete the case study coursework assignments to the satisfaction of the instructor.
4.  Achieve a minimum grade of 70% on the final written exam.
5. Students failing the first written exam will be given the opportunity to take a second exam of similar content and difficulty. Students failing the second exam will not be awarded a course completion certificate.

Trainees shall have a minimum of one year at sea and watch standing experience. They shall have a minimum STCW certification as either officer in charge of a navigational watch or as a rating forming part of a navigational watch.

A course completion certificate will be issued to the student upon successful completion of all course requirements and assessments.