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Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)

  • Full Professor of Maneuvering, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge CRM Coordinator

  • Government and navigation guards, route planning, ECDIS/radar/ARPA, GMDSS (ROC/GOC), COLREG, BRM/CRM, emergency response, ISM/ISPS, and competency audit

MCA-certified captain with command on ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety in accordance with STCW. Combines practical expertise in coastal and ocean-going routes with mastery of ECDIS, radar, and ARPA systems, standardizing procedures that reduce operational risk and improve situational awareness for the entire watch. His classroom approach integrates BRM/CRM with standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and evidence-based briefings/debriefings to reduce human factor incidents.

He trains officers in route planning (Appraisal–Planning–Execution–Monitoring cycle), OOW/Master watchkeeping, GMDSS communications (ROC/GOC), and COLREG/ISM/ISPS compliance, using realistic scenario simulations: night arrivals, dense traffic, restricted visibility, VTS, sensor failures, and damage control. Standardizes performance metrics: CPA/TCPA, XTE (cross-track error), watchkeeping quality, reaction times, and accuracy in DSC communications/MAYDAY/PAN-PAN/SECURITÉ procedures. Guides teaching towards measurable results that are transferable to the job: complete logbooks, auditable passage plans, bridge checklists, and validated GMDSS records.

Skills Key

  • Government and maneuvering: evolution with starts, use of propeller and rudder, spring lines/tugboats, entering/leaving port, anchoring and dry docking, under keel clearance, wind/waves/currents, bank/ship interaction.
  • Route planning: electronic and paper charts, T&P, internal Noonsite & NtM, tide/current calculations, under keel clearance, contingency routes, no-go areas, waypoints, and speed profiles.
  • ECDIS/Radar/ARPA: layers, alarms, and limits; sensors (GNSS, log, gyro, AIS); anti-grounding, look-ahead, EBL/VRM, parallel indexing, plotting, and fusion with AIS/VTS.
  • GMDSS (ROC/GOC): distress/urgency/safety procedures, DSC, VHF/MF/HF, NAVTEX, Inmarsat, EPIRB/SART, communication logging, testing, and basic maintenance.
  • STCW and compliance: OOW/Master, BRM/BTM, updating/refresher, ISM/ISPS, mandatory drills, and competency assessment.
  • Human factors (BRM/CRM): bridge leadership, workload management, standard communication, fatigue management, error trapping, and decision-making under pressure.
  • Emergencies and SAR: Man Overboard, loss of steering, collision/grounding, bridge fires, abandonment; on-scene coordination and use of checklists.
  • Tools and simulators: Commonly used ECDIS (e.g., Furuno, JRC, Wärtsilä/Transas, Navisailor), radar/ARPA, full-mission bridge and part-task, AIS recorders, plotters, and route planning software.

Find out more

Current teaching

  1. Advanced Maneuvering and Navigation — 6 ECTS, blended, T1
    RA: performs entry/exit maneuvers and anchoring with checklists and tug assistance; justifies decisions based on wind/current and interaction.
    Evidence: maneuver plan, logbook, and pilot card.
  2. Route Planning and OOW Watch — 5 ECTS, mixed, T1
    RA: produces complete passage plan (APEM), defines no-go, wheel-over points, contingency routes, and OOW/Lookout watches.
    Evidence: audited passage plan and bridge orders.
  3. ECDIS, Radar, and ARPA Operational — 6 ECTS, simulator, T2
    RA: configures layers/alarms, integrates sensors, and maintains target CPA/TCPA; applies parallel indexing and safe ARPA tracking.
    Evidence: screenshots and playback with XTE/CPA metrics.
  4. GMDSS (ROC/GOC) Practical — 4 ECTS, laboratory, T2
    RA: executes DSC and voice communications for distress/urgency/safety and maintains GMDSS logbook; tests EPIRB/SART.
    Evidence: GMDSS log and test reports.
  5. BRM/CRM and Human Factors — 3 ECTS, T3
    RA: conducts watchkeeping with standard phraseology, challenge & response, task sharing, and fatigue mitigation; critical debrief.
    Evidence: BRM rubric and individual improvement plan.
  6. STCW Bridge Refresher — 2 ECTS, intensive, T3

    RA: updates ECDIS/watchkeeping/GMDSS competencies; validates drills with ISM/ISPS and lessons learned.

Programmes in which they participate

  • Master’s Degree in Bridge Operations and Safety (45–60 ECTS) — Full professor (maneuvering, ECDIS, BRM).
  • Master’s Degree in Marina Management & Operations (30–45 ECTS) — Associate professor (VTS, arrivals, safety protocols).
  • Diploma in Electronic Navigation and GMDSS — Head of the operational block.
  • BRM/BTM (STCW) Certificate — Lead instructor.
  • CPD for Captains and OOWs: COLREG/ECDIS/GMDSS updates and internal ISM audits.

Accreditations and certifications

  • Quantifiable operational safety: watchkeeping and navigation KPIs (target CPA/TCPA, XTE, COLREG compliance).
  • STCW standardization: templates and evidence for internal/external audits; training traceability.
  • Applied BRM/CRM: reduction of human error (communication, task allocation, challenge & response).
  • Simulation ecosystem: gradual scripts that integrate maneuvering, ECDIS/radar, and GMDSS events.
  • Consistent bridge–engine room: communication protocols with ETO/Chief Engineer in emergencies and degraded modes.

Key experience

  • STCW/ISM audits and BRM programs for shipping companies and marinas.
  • Implementation of bridge SOPs, checklists, and night orders.
  • Drill plans and GMDSS training with competency assessment.
  • Review of passage plans and analysis of near misses with AIS data.

Publications / applied research

  • “ECDIS: from alarm to judgment. Best practices in alert management on the bridge.”
  • “BRM that works: challenge & response and closed-loop in dense traffic.”
  • “GMDSS drills: how to measure what matters (times, logbook quality, and handover).”
  • “COLREG under pressure: training decision-makers to avoid close quarters.”

Projects / consultancy

  • Night arrival at port with VTS: XTE ≤ 0.15 nm; minimum CPA 1.0 nm at crossing; 100% of relevant alarms responded to < 30 s.
  • Coastal navigation with reduced visibility: radar/ARPA and ECDIS configuration; average route deviation ≤ 0.10 nm; no close-quarters (COLREG Rule 19).
  • GNSS failure (degraded): reconfiguration to dead reckoning with position lines; maintenance of ETA ± 5 min and target CPA.
  • GMDSS distress drill: correct DSC + voice call within < 60 s of detection; complete record in GMDSS logbook.

Methodology and assessment

  • Itineraries: OOW to Master, Pilotage readiness, GMDSS Officer.
  • Workshops: bridge team briefings, after action review, passage plan defense.

Teaching outcomes/KPIs

  • Average reduction in XTE in simulation: −35% between weeks 1 and 6.
  • Increase in watches with CPA ≥ target: +28%.
  • GMDSS (distress) times: <60 s in 90% of exercises.
  • Student satisfaction: 4.8/5 in BRM/ECDIS (last 3 cohorts)

Languages

  • Spanish (C2)
  • English (C1)

Availability

Valencia campus and online; intensive simulations in calendar Q1–Q3; support for internships at partner marinas.

Contact

  • Email: javier.abaroa@navalisinstitute.co.uk
  • LinkedIn: (añadir URL)

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