Background
When offshore operations go wrong, the consequences aren’t theoretical. A drillship shifts position and strikes a well. Divers lose contact with the surface. A supply vessel misjudges its hold and risks a collision. In each of these moments, one skill makes the difference between control and catastrophe: Dynamic Positioning (DP).
Keelson Marine Assurance specialises in sharpening that skill.
Since 2018, Keelson has led the way in DP Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Their focus is not compliance, but capability. They prepare operators to think clearly, act fast and follow the right process when seconds matter.
Trusted by fleets across the world and recognised by the Nautical Institute, Keelson’s programme supports the entire DP chain of command: Masters, DPOs, Engineers and ETOs. In 2024 alone, more than 5,000 mariners took part in 10,000 high-stakes assessments.
What makes Keelson different is their refusal to treat training as a box to tick. In a fast-moving industry with high turnover and little margin for error, they deliver structured, data-rich CPD that holds individuals accountable and strengthens safety culture at every level.
Since adopting Cirrus in 2024, Keelson Marine has achieved:
Scalable Growth
Reduced Admin Workload
Reliable
Delivery at Sea
Real-time Data Insights
Instant Candidate Feedback
Challenge
Delivering a serious assessment programme at sea is no small task. Keelson aren’t just testing knowledge. They are reaching people who live and work in environments where a split-second decision can prevent disaster.
What’s more, most candidates are offshore, mid-rotation, with limited internet access and unpredictable schedules. Some are agency staff, others shift from vessel to vessel depending on contracts. In such conditions, training often gets reduced to the bare minimum: skim through a PowerPoint, click through a quiz, repeat until you pass.
Keelson refused to follow that script.
They believed that real competence can’t be faked or rushed. If a candidate misses a key concept, it could have serious consequences, not just for the vessel, but for everyone onboard. That’s why their approach focuses on uncovering what someone actually knows, then targeting the gaps. They also believe training is more effective when it happens in situ, on board, in context, where it’s immediately applicable and less likely to fade.
They needed a solution that could:
- Operate reliably at sea, even with poor connectivity: The platform had to perform consistently on vessels with unstable or low-bandwidth satellite internet, ensuring reliable delivery in real-world offshore conditions without risking disruption or data loss.
- Provide immediate, useful feedback to each candidate: A system that could help identify strengths and weaknesses, then deliver tailored feedback to help each candidate focus on the areas they needed to improve.
- Scale across fleets, agencies and global locations: The system needed to support thousands of candidates worldwide, ranging from Masters on drillships to Engineers on support vessels, each with unique responsibilities and working conditions.
- Feed performance data into rich, actionable company reports: Clients wanted insight beyond pass rates. They needed visibility into trends, weak spots and where to focus additional training.
Solution
Keelson had a clear goal: build a CPD model that didn’t just check a compliance box, but genuinely improved performance. The programme would begin with a diagnostic test to uncover knowledge gaps, followed by targeted study and end with a second assessment to confirm that the learning had taken root.
To be effective, this process had to fit seamlessly into the unpredictable rhythm of offshore life. It had to work on board, between shifts, without pulling professionals away from their operational duties. Training needed to happen in the flow of work, relevant, timely and efficient.
Achieving this required a platform that was stable, intelligent and adaptable to real-world constraints. Cirrus delivered.
Making it happen
Cirrus Assessment assigned a dedicated implementation manager who took the time to understand Keelson’s vision in detail. This wasn’t a plug-and-play deployment. It was a process of listening, advising and customising the platform around a clearly defined goal.
Drawing on deep assessment expertise, the Cirrus team helped configure the system to support Keelson’s full CPD model, from the initial test to feedback, retesting and reporting, while keeping the experience smooth for both test-takers and administrators.
“Keelson came to us with an inspiring vision for what CPD could look like offshore. We combined their deep operational insight with our assessment and technical expertise to make it happen, turning that vision into a robust, scalable solution that works in the real world.”
Jad Kaddour, Implementation Manager, Cirrus
The setup
Keelson’s CPD model follows a two-stage process:
- A first test to diagnose knowledge gaps*
- Targeted self-study using linked study materials
- A second test to confirm improvement*
- Results feed directly into Power BI, giving Keelson and clients a clear view of performance across individuals, vessels and fleets.
*Each test is generated using Linear On the Fly Testing (LOFT) and a blueprint, ensuring balanced, role-specific and unique assessments.
This setup works because Cirrus delivers where it counts:
- Operate reliably at sea: The Cirrus platform saves answers in real time and stores them locally if the connection drops, nothing is lost.
- Deliver personalised feedback instantly: After the first test, candidates get clear, actionable feedback and study links.
- Scale globally: Cirrus supports the delivery of thousands of assessments across fleets, agencies and regions. Whether managing a few dozen users or scaling to several thousand, the platform handles volume with stability and consistency.
- Drive continuous improvement: Performance data feeds directly into Power BI, helping Keelson and their clients act on what matters.
Results
Cirrus has enabled Keelson to scale their vision without compromise. What began as a bold idea is now a fully operational, data-driven programme running across fleets and regions.
- Increased assessment volume: Keelson achieved a fivefold increase over four years, all without increasing their team size. This significant growth was facilitated by implementing scalable assessment tools that automate repetitive tasks, allowing them to handle higher volumes efficiently.
- Streamlined operations: By automating test creation, feedback and reporting processes, Keelson has significantly reduced administrative workloads. This automation not only accelerates the assessment cycle but also minimises human errors, ensuring consistency and reliability in results. Consequently, the team can allocate more time to refining content and providing personalised support to clients, enhancing overall service quality.
- Real-time insight into performance, trends and training gaps across roles and regions: This gives Keelson a sharper view of what’s working and where support is needed. They use this data to refine training programmes and offer clients valuable insights, pinpointing weaker areas across the fleet, redeploying crews as needed and setting improvement targets. The ability to both apply and provide this intelligence gives Keelson a clear competitive advantage.
- Let’s not forget: safer seas: Offshore, the margin for error is razor-thin. One wrong decision can put lives, vessels and the environment at risk. Keelson’s data-driven, high-stakes assessments put a single exam can change a life into action, raising competence, closing knowledge gaps and ultimately helping crews make the right call when it matters most.
“Our goal has always been to raise the standard of CPD in offshore operations. Cirrus gives us the tools to deliver that at scale, with precision, consistency and clear evidence of impact. It strengthens the value we offer to clients and reinforces our position as a trusted partner in building safer, more capable crews.”
Mat Bateman, Senior Partner / Marine Consultant, Keelson Marine Assurance
Training that changes lives
Dynamic positioning failures aren’t theoretical. They cause injuries, environmental damage and financial loss. Keelson knows that, and they’ve built a CPD programme that doesn’t leave anything to chance. Cirrus helps them deliver it, reliably, at scale and with the insight to change how crews train, learn and operate.
At Cirrus, we say a single exam can change a life. For Keelson and the mariners they support, it already has.
