Identifying Similarities of National Yacht Qualifications Using Hierarchical Clustering Methods

Olgay Okşaş, Esma Gül Emecen Kara (), Tansu Özbey, Ersoy Kaçmaz and Mehmet Karaoğlu
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Olgay Okşaş: Maritime Transportation Management Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
Esma Gül Emecen Kara: Maritime Transportation Management Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
Tansu Özbey: Department of Transportation Services, Bodrum Maritime Vocational School, Mugla Sitki Kocman University, 42420 Mugla, Turkey
Ersoy Kaçmaz: Maritime Transportation Management Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey
Mehmet Karaoğlu: Department of Transportation Services, Vocational School of Maritime, Mersin University, 33330 Mersin, Turkey

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: In parallel with the developments in the yachting sector, the need for qualified yacht masters has increased. Their qualifications are important not only for meeting customers’ demands but also for ensuring maritime safety. In this direction, they play an important role in the sustainability of the sector. However, unlike other seafarers, there is a wide variation in the certification categories and training of countries due to the lack of a worldwide standard. Therefore, the equivalence of qualifications between different countries is indeed a confusing problem. It is especially important to identify similarities for the sake of harmonization and standardization efforts. In this regard, this study aims to analyze the similarities of qualifications for operating commercial yachts. First, licenses that are similar to each other in terms of a category are identified based on proficiency, distance limitations, and vessel sizes. Then, the similarity of their training is detected based on given courses. Towards this aim, a methodology based on hierarchical clustering methods is used. As a result, the levels of similarity between licenses, including internationally recognized licenses, are discussed to reveal the current situation. In addition, a classification method is proposed for standardization of the yacht license categories.

Keywords: similarity; yacht masters; maritime education; hierarchical clustering; qualifications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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