Application of Qualitative Research to Analyze the Knowledge and Skill Requirements for Maritime Operational Safety

Taiwan's geographical location is favorable, with its land surrounded by the sea, which provides natural advantages for the development of the marine industry. To promote the development of the marine industry while ensuring the sustainability of the marine environment, the Taiwanese government enacted the “Ocean Basic Act”[1] on November 1, 2019, outlining national policy guidelines for marine governance. This was followed by the release of the “National Ocean Policy White Paper”[2] in June 2020, and the passage of the “Marine Industry Development Act”[3] by the Legislative Yuan in May 2023. These policies represent significant steps in advancing marine affairs in Taiwan, guiding both central and local governments to work together to ensure sustainable marine development. The advancement of marine industries is closely related to the cultivation and development of marine talent. Today, while Taiwan is vigorously developing its marine industries, there are challenges such as (1) the disparity between marine talent cultivation and industry supply and demand, and (2) the misalignment between talent development and marine industry needs. Consequently, the next challenge in marine affairs will be the training of marine professionals. This study primarily aligns with the provisions related to the cultivation of professional talent specified in Article 10 and Article 11 of the “Marine Industry Development Act.” It aims to develop a core set of common competencies and curricula for marine industry talent. This will facilitate the smooth transition of our nation's industrial development model from a land-based perspective to a focus on marine areas, and gradually achieve the localization of marine industry professionals in our country. Considering the increasing number of individuals involved in marine operations and the complexity of interfaces, the knowledge and skills required for different marine operations and activities vary. “Safety” education is fundamental to implementing marine policies and promoting various marine industries. Although domestic safety training courses, such as the Global Wind Organization (GWO) basic safety training, have been introduced, there is still a lack of specialized training for marine operations safety. Moreover, a comprehensive competency-based safety course for marine operations has yet to be established. To address the need for different enterprises within the marine industry to ensure that marine professionals possess the ability to protect their own and their colleagues' safety while carrying out marine-related tasks, and to reflect the necessity of common safety competencies for these roles, this study employs qualitative research methods, utilizing purposive sampling to invite experts and practitioners from relevant marine fields to participate in “indepth interviews” and “focus group discussions. The research data identified the common core competency requirements for “marine operation safety” across different maritime job categories, resulting in eight major components, along with 23 items of “knowledge” and 26 items of “skills” corresponding to these competencies. It aims to integrate the common safety needs across different marine occupational categories, providing a scientific and evidence-based foundation for safety management within the marine industry. Additionally, the findings will serve as a reference for subsequent safety training programs for personnel in the marine industry.