OTG’s Raal Harris shares insights into the role of technology in supporting seafarers
By Carly Fields
Seafarers are “absolutely critical” to the mission of Ocean Technology Group, a maritime software company committed to empowering seafarers, advancing industry standards, and embracing cutting-edge technology.
Speaking with The Sea, Raal Harris, chief creative officer at OTG, explains that the company’s focus is on doing everything it can to support seafarers to be able to work safely and to perform. “That is how we deliver value to our customers, the majority of whom are ship owners and managers,” he says. “They increasingly understand that their people are their greatest asset and key to their commercial success, and that’s why they invest in solutions such as ours that help to recruit, retain, and develop their workforce.”
At the heart of OTG’s mission lies the recognition of the intrinsic value of seafarers to the maritime industry. In a world where ships crisscross the globe, their safety and expertise are paramount. OTG aims to provide the tools and support needed for seafarers to excel in their roles, ensuring that every voyage is a successful one.
Walking the talk, OTG is a signatory to the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing, described as a rallying cry for the maritime industry. It aims to achieve a comprehensive set of goals, including raising awareness, advocating for change, promoting collaboration, and improving the wellbeing of seafarers. Signatories commit to prioritising seafarer wellbeing and taking concrete actions to address the challenges faced by seafarers. The collective hope is that this declaration enhances corporate responsibility and accountability within the maritime industry, fostering a more responsible and seafarer-centric approach. It represents a significant step toward a brighter future for those who keep global trade afloat.
ESG aspirations
With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors taking centre stage today, Raal acknowledges that ESG is becoming an increasing part of the conversation with OTG’s customers, with a particular focus on the social element. “Key to that is building the right workplace culture, and so investing in non-technical skills like leadership, communication skills, bullying and harassment, and diversity are becoming just as important as the traditional technical skills.”
He sees the maritime industry as undergoing a transformation, recognising the need to create an environment where seafarers feel supported and can openly discuss complex concepts and personal experiences. This shift necessitates a wide vocabulary, a high level of conversational English, listening skills, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.
Therefore, Raal highlights the importance of awareness, understanding, and practice in improving communication skills. “That, a seafarer can’t do on their own; it has to be part of the workplace culture,” he says. A supportive culture empowers seafarers to become more effective communicators and fosters a positive on-board environment.
Turning to operations, Raal acknowledges that the maritime industry is currently facing one of its most significant challenges: the shift to new, cleaner fuels. “The transition to new fuels is one of the biggest challenges our industry has ever faced, and it simply can’t happen without empowering our seafarers,” he notes. OTG’s approach here is two-fold: effective training materials tailored to specific training needs and active participation in industry working groups to devise common standards.
Participating in initiatives such as the Just Transition Taskforce and Green Curriculum with the Nautical Institute, OTG aims to ensure that seafarers have access to quality training that equips them to work safely in this evolving landscape. The commitment to cleaner fuels is not just about environmental responsibility; it’s also about ensuring seafarers have the knowledge and skills to adapt to a rapidly changing industry.
Pushing digital boundaries
Digital learning is another game-changer in the maritime industry. Raal says that while digital learning is nothing new to OTG or its customers – who have long recognised its benefits – the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote learning, with many customers now favouring it over physical attendance courses. Regulators have also become more open-minded toward digital learning, making it easier to gain approvals for digital remote courses.
According to Raal, the key criterion should be learning outcomes: “If the learning outcomes can be achieved successfully through digital means, then why shouldn’t digital learning be accepted?” The future of maritime education lies in leveraging digital tools to provide seafarers with flexible and effective learning opportunities.
Learning data has proven invaluable for OTG’s team, helping them observe trends and identify areas for improvement. When combined with complementary data like Port State Control (PSC) inspection results, patterns emerge that shed light on how training relates to vessel performance and areas where companies can focus to prevent negative results.
Raal sees the potential for AI to transform digital learning further. “AI is poised to revolutionise digital learning by offering more personalised education based on the learner’s individual needs, automating administrative tasks, creating content, and opening up possibilities for intelligent AI tutoring.”
But while AI holds great promise, Raal also emphasises the need for caution, considering potential privacy issues and algorithmic biases. Ethical and practical implications must be carefully considered to ensure that AI benefits both educators and learners.
Future focus
Raal summarises OTG’s vision for the future in two main areas. The first is improving the efficiency and effective- ness of the learning OTG provides to seafarers. “There is more and more for seafarers to learn, and they have very little time available in which to do their training,” Raal says. This demands a design that maximises the benefits of learning within a limited time investment. Utilising mobile learning apps and online accessibility, OTG ensures that seafarers can access training materials wherever they are, online or offline.
The second area of focus is on the employee experience. OTG seeks ways to enhance recruitment, onboarding, and access to information, and streamline workflows through intelligent automation and data integration.
Technology, Raal says, affords the possibility to simplify labour-intensive tasks, reduce the room for error, and improve collaboration between ship and shore teams.
As the industry continues to evolve, OTG is employing technology to support its commitment to seafarers’ wellbeing in a new era of maritime.
