We were in a restaurant with our good friend, Captain Michael Cuanzon, when the subject of maritime accidents came up. ‘A person who hates the sound of the sea cannot be a good sailor,’ he said casually, still concentrating on his bowl of hot Cambodian noodles. At age 83, the Filipino old salt and part-time maritime lecturer is fond of making cheeky statements. But what he said that afternoon seemed pregnant with meaning, and we were to muse over it the following day.
Is there a subtle but strong connection between one’s love for the sea, good seamanship and maritime safety? The more we think about it, the more it makes sense. A seafarer who loves the nautical life and feels a certain affinity with the ocean can be expected to have a greater desire to learn and strive to excel in his work than one who’s only after the money. He is also more likely to take pride in the seafaring profession, to avoid doing anything that would cause an accident and dent his reputation. Not least of all, he would be more inclined to spend more years at sea and be more experienced than the paper captains we see strutting around in Manila..
We’re tempted to draw an analogy with professional race car drivers. You can expect these chaps to know more about automobile engines and driving safety than ordinary motorists. Same with gun enthusiasts, assuming that they’re not the anti-social types who harbour deep criminal tendencies. And not to forget the world of coffee: a barista’s passion for making a mean cup of joe extends to knowing how to operate an espresso machine safely.
Tonnes of marine safety regulations, and yet we continue to witness the most appalling accidents at sea. The conventional view that more training for ‘the human element’ will address the problem is clearly inadequate. It doesn’t squarely address the central issue: how do we propagate a culture of safety? Time for maritime trainers, safety gurus and P&I clubs to take a new approach – and listen to what the wise old salts have to say. ~Barista Uno
Nicely said, a passionate sailor will want to do everything safely because his or her dream cannot be cut short. We live in an era of much training and much money for this trainings but only the well paid can go for this courses while those that struggle to go for the course end up learning nothing but just after the certificate because we are in world of certificate. I was once asked by a friend what I can do for free and still enjoy doing? I said sailing then he said that is your calling. I am an engineer now and still striving to be the best in the field. The smell, the wave, the rolling etc makes us love the work. ON OCEAN WE SURVIVE!!
I could not agree more with this sentiment but there is a little more to it I think.
I have a real respect for the sea, I have crewed on sailing vessels and would have made a career at sea if fate had not stepped in. My passion (as those that know of me will agree) is trying to retain the safety that we already have from history & relationship with the sea.
Today there are too many with scant regard or respect for the sea that make profound judgement on Maritime matters.
It is part of modern life that we rely far too much on technology, ships are controlled from bridges that isolate the sea. Yes …. crews are not as close to the sounds, smells or taste of the sea.
So when oil & gas are too costly to run ships and we return to sail…. will there be better mariners?
Respect is the key… I feel.
CJ
Dear BU,
Capt. Cuanzon makes an excellent point!
I’m sure you remember the scene in Irving Johnson’s “Around Cape Horn” in which two of the 1920’s-era square rigger crew are doing some work on the topmost yard at sea. The men were something like 180′ in the air, scooting along the upper yard as though riding a horse. When they reached the end of the yard, one of them passed a line around his waist and began to slide down the edge of the sail, slacked down by his partner who had taken a few turns round the yard. It looks pretty dicey, but the sailors aren’t making a big deal about it – just doing their jobs.
Observing this, Johnson as narrator says something like: “Look at the safety procedures they’re using here! They never heard the word. Take care of yourself at all times, and you’ll be all right. It would be foolish to let go, wouldn’t it?”
I use this scene in my own safety training program, because although it might sound a little cavalier, it illustrates something essential about safety: “procedures” aren’t the important thing in keeping safe at sea – attitude is! With the right attitude you’ll be aware, you’ll see the value in creating and using a safe procedure, you’ll watch out for your shipmate.
Johnson’s two sailors were paying strict attention to safety, within the context of their time and the tools at their disposal. Their attitude & skill more than made up for the lack of a written job procedure in their nonexistent SMS. Not to say that the modern SMS is without value – but, as you’ve noted, much of its value disappears when attitude is lacking.
That goes to your point about a safety culture. And “safety culture” also applies to things like prudent navigation (ask Capt. Schettino) or care in cargo stowage. Really, it’s professionalism – and professionalism isn’t just certification!
How do we instill that? I’m a manager now, but spent most of my career climbing the ladder on ships and tugs as AB, Mate and Captain. I see it as the company’s responsibility – nobody can influence the actions and attitude of the men on board like the boss who signs the paychecks! He really defines what’s going to be considered important within the context of that ship.
The company must ensure that its men know in no uncertain terms that it values professionalism and high standards – including speaking up when something is wrong, whether or not it costs the company money. Not many companies do that – and I think it’s something that’s difficult to legislate, absent company commitment. Luckily, I happen to work for one that does.
Instilling a high professional ethic at school would probably be the other most effective influence – pride in who he is and what he does will take a man a long way, even in the face of an indifferent company.
Capt. Cuanzon’s right (and said it in many fewer words) – if you love it and live it and respect it, you WILL be a “good sailor” – a safe and capable sailor, in all respects. Everything else is just window dressing.
maritime manager think that most safarer are idiots.they keep implementing procedures what things to do and donts, they dont realize that if all the instruction they have written in the quality assurance manual people on board will not sleep at all.so much checklist,isps,surveys,ism checklist,vetting inspection checklist,uscg inspection checklist,flagstate inspection preparation checklist,safety inspection checklist.a lot of paper works to do just to show that the vessel is safe and sound.without considering the shortness of crew or the people on board have good enough rest to do their daily work in the name of safety.which is the prime goal of all these training.
You might like this:
https://twitter.com/sarahfraser/status/294749251412570112/photo/1
The need to balance commitment and compliance.
It’s easy for you to say that, BrianSJ, but once you are on board and encounter all these non sense checklists, it’s really time consuming. You even forget to have your personal hygiene just to comply with all the paper works. Sometimes you need to take shortcuts just to have a little time for yourself. thanks to all those Asian maritime experts who keep thinking about more safety measures just to be praised by shipping executives.
As a former captain and fleet manager and now a class society ISM/ISPS auditor I have never felt more helpless. We are all stuck in this complicated maze together with many parties all pulling in different directions. The seaman is at the center and I agree his heart is where the aim should be. If you can win the heart the mind will follow. Today’s endless checklists and procedures will just be gentle reminders if we can make today’s seaman feel that he is part of the solution instead of the problem. I am interviewing for a job back in ship management so this is my task. Safe sailing to all.