Wiyono, Wujud
Maritime safety is a critical aspect of military ship operations, where mastery of Ship Salvage Equipment (PEK) becomes a fundamental competency for cadets of the Indonesian Naval Academy (AAL). This research aims to identify and analyze the benefits of knowledge of Ship Salvage Equipment (PEK) for AAL cadets in the context of professional competence development, operational readiness, and leadership character formation. Using a mixed methods approach with a sequential explanatory design, this study involved 312 AAL cadet respondents from three batches (2022-2024) selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, participant observations, and focus group discussions. Data analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative data, as well as thematic analysis for qualitative data. The research results show that AAL cadets have a good level of PEK knowledge (score 78.6/100), high self-efficacy (3.68/5), and good operational readiness (3.72/5). As many as 85.6% of cadets acknowledge the very high benefits of PEK learning. The five main themes of benefits identified include: the development of operational technical competencies (37.2%), the enhancement of leadership abilities in critical situations (24.8%), the formation of mental resilience (18.9%), the development of quick decision-making skills (11.4%), and the improvement of a sense of responsibility for safety (7.7%). Cadets with good PEK knowledge demonstrate superior performance with a response speed 32 seconds faster, an error rate 23.4% lower, and an emergency communication score 18.2% higher. Factors influencing the effectiveness of PEK learning include the quality of instructors and teaching methods (β = 0.34), the frequency and variety of emergency simulations (β = 0.28), which together can explain 74.8% of the variance in learning effectiveness. This study provides recommendations for intensifying practical training, improving instructor quality, standardizing the curriculum to integrate technical and leadership aspects, and conducting continuous evaluations of the PEK learning program.