Human Resource

This course gives additional training for operations in polar waters, underpinning the knowledge gained during STCW polar courses. In this course, deck officers will be given guidance and advice on personal health and safety in polar waters. This course is not meant to be an approved STCW course but an additional training course for onboard learning.

The marine industry takes safety very seriously, however, in spite of our best efforts incidents do unfortunately still occur, particularly during mooring. A marine insurance industry report shows that mooring incidents are one of the most frequent personal injury causes.

During incidents, many of the barriers that cause the incident have a human element to them. Unfortunately, an incident can happen to the best of professionals, if theses barriers fail.

As an engine room team member you have a vital role. You have to combine an understanding of the ship’s machinery with an awareness of company procedure, while all the time maintaining high safety standards.
In engine room watchkeeping, there is also another factor - teamwork. It is crucial both deck and engineering personnel bear in mind they are part of one team, not just within their own department but with each other. For example, now the majority of main propulsion plants are directly controlled from the bridge, this has brought the deck and engineering departments closer together.

There may be a time or a situation where you will either have to assist or command a search and rescue operation. This course helps break down the courses of action you may have to take in order to safely rescue your own crew or other craft in distress.

Effective leadership varies not only depending on the task, job or function that needs to be accomplished, but also on the profile of the person or group that is being influenced. Good and effective leaders are those who are flexible and adaptive when it comes to their approaches.

Under SOLAS requirements, vessels must complete drills on board at regular intervals to ensure that personnel and equipment are ready for emergencies that may develop. STCW amendments also require training to be conducted onboard to allow seafarers to renew their STCW certification without the need to complete the full course again every 5 years. Making the drills effective and useful is, therefore, a priority for vessel managers and Masters to ensure the training is relevant, no time is wasted and the seafarers receive value from the exercises.

Corruption and bribery are traditionally seen as part of doing business in the maritime industry. These practices undermine the trust in the industry and need to be reported to stop them.

Bridge Resource Management is a critical tool for the officer of the watch in order to maintain a safe navigational watch. BRM is the process to use all of the means available to you during critical operations taking into account not only electronic aids to navigation but also any other data provided during the watch and most importantly teamwork.

Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) is a standard assessment used by tanker owners and operators in order to identify any operational deficiencies in their fleet or their ship. VIQ – Vessel Inspection Questionnaire is a document within the SIRE, which offers and ensures ships' safety by means of additional safety precautions to all tankers. Chapter 5 of the VIQ covers safety management. In this course, we will discuss this chapter and common observations that are found by vetting inspectors with regards to safety management.

We all find ourselves doing things in a specific way without knowing why just because we have always done it that way or that is what everybody else does or that is the way it is done locally. Over time, in doing this, we just stop seeing the risks and therefore do not challenge our actions. This is called collective normalisation because we all do it and it becomes common practice.

Mentoring is a skill, that, once learnt, not only greatly enhances progression through the ranks but, if applied and presented correctly, could earn the respect of your fellow crew members aboard.