by Barista Uno | May 4, 2012 | Latest Post
What’s with “the human element”?
There’s no escaping the catchword “the human element” in shipping. It’s become as ubiquitous as “sustainable shipping” – and necessarily so. Despite the advances in technology, maritime accidents continue to take a heavy toll on life and limb, not to speak of the environment. Time to shift the focus to “the human element” in the man-machine equation. Still and all, I don’t feel comfortable with the phrase and the reason has nothing to do with the usefulness of it. (more…)
by Barista Uno | Apr 29, 2012 | Media, Communications and Language
It’s been a sticky hot Sunday in Manila: 36.3C, real feal index 42.0C. But instead of whining, we decided to conjure up possible maritime catchwords and slogans to take our mind off the heat and humidity. The maritime world is replete with such phrases. Some could drive you crazy, such as the omnipresent “sustainable shipping“. But as they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Here’s our list of new maritime locutions: (more…)
by Barista Uno | Jan 11, 2011 | Manning and Training, Media, Communications and Language, Shipping
New technology and new international regulations are re-shaping maritime shoptalk. To be honest, some of the current terms and buzzwords have us bemused. We understand what’s meant by “management level” and “operational level” and have a fairly good idea of what knowledge and skills are required of ship officers in each category. But why doesn’t the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stick to tradition and refer to the fellows simply as “senior officers” and “junior officers”? Why complicate life? (more…)
by Barista Uno | Sep 22, 2010 | Nature and the Environment, Shipping
We’re almost going bonkers. The hottest maritime buzzword has invaded cyberspace like the Great Plague – repeated over and over in Twitter and other social networking sites, company websites, discussion boards, online news publications and blogs. It’s endemic, too, on terra firma – chanted in maritime conferences, seminars and workshops. Mantras are beautiful and magical but we’d rather see their use confined to meditation and some such activity. (more…)
