It has become far more than just “tactile.”
It is entirely possible to teach an illiterate man to perform a manual task like boat handling (the GOM is full of examples) but in the modern world of international operations it is a two handed job and “hands on” is becoming a lesser part of the whole.
Full knowledge of regulations, resource management and asset management skills are as much a part of the modern mariner’s toolkit as boat handling. Anyone can be taught to drive a boat but for better or worse, that isn’t enough anymore.
Personally, I believe it is for the better.
Lower level license holders are being dragged (all too often screaming and kicking) into the world of standards and management. The proposed changes to STCW and licensing are just part of the mix and those who are not capable of both operations and management will be forced out of the industry one way or the other.